Brim Coffee Maker Review: A Pour-Over Dream Come True?

I’m always on the lookout for worthy additions to my drip coffee maker guide, which is why I’m embarking on this Brim Coffee Maker review. As it happens, I’ve had my eye on this machine for quite some time. It’s one of the new generation of home brewers taking aim at pour-over coffee aficionados, hoping to reel them in with good looks and solid performance.

So, will the Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker be able to tempt me away from my beloved Chemex coffee maker? I’m kind of doubtful, but I am interested to see what this baby can do. Let’s take a look!

consistent and reliable

Brim Coffee Maker

Simple and stylish

Stylish design

SCA-certified home brewer

Easy to use

Makes pour-over style coffee

Rather pricey

A couple of design flaws

CHECK PRICE

Brim Coffee Maker Review Overview

If you’re at all familiar with the new breed of pour-over style coffee makers, the Brim’s design will ring a few bells. I’m talking about the transparent water reservoir, exposed shower head and modern, minimalist vibe.

Some might say Brim is just jumping on the bandwagon and borrowing a bunch of ideas. Especially seeing as the carafe is essentially a Chemex rip-off. Still, there’s no denying the Brim 8-Cup Coffee Maker is an elegant machine that’ll look great in any kitchen.

Anyway, if the thing can deliver the goods, who cares if the manufacturer took a few liberties with its design?

Before going any further I should point out that the Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker will set you back $123.95. That’s a substantial investment for a coffee machine, so what gives?

Well, for starters, the Brim has been certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as an exemplary home brewer. That’s a pretty big deal, and I’ll discuss it later in this Brim Coffee Maker review.

What’s more, the manufacturer has obviously paid a lot of attention to detail. Not only does the Brim Coffee Maker feature high-quality materials and components, everything has been carefully calibrated to produce the best results possible.

Brim Coffee Maker Features

Don’t be fooled by the Brim’s minimalist appearance – it has plenty of features worthy of discussion. Let’s continue this Brim Coffee Maker review by taking a look at what makes this stylish machine tick.

SCA Certified Home Brewer

Earlier in this Brim Pour-Over Coffee Maker review I mentioned that the machine has been Golden Cup certified by the SCA.

In short, this means the manufacturer submitted its coffee maker for a slew of rigorous testing by the SCA. The resulting home brewer certification shows that the Brim consistently brews with the correct water temperature, completes the brew cycle within a set time frame and much more.

Although the Brim Coffee Maker isn’t the only SCA-certified brewer, it’s one of only a handful of machines that have made the cut. Ultimately, you can expect the Brim to produce pretty exceptional results.

Size and Design

We’ve already established that the Brim Coffee Maker is easy on the eyes. That is, if you’re a fan of sleek modern design. Brim has eschewed the traditional coffee maker design – water tank at the rear and an enclosed brew basket – for a more open setup.

Looking at the machine, you’ve got a clear, cylindrical water tank sitting above a stainless steel-encased heating element. To the right, the glass carafe sits on a heating plate below the shower head. This design isn’t just effective, it also lets you see what’s happening during the brewing process.

While I wouldn’t say the Brim is a compact machine, it’s far from the biggest I’ve seen. Measuring just under 13 inches (33 centimeters), you should be able to fit the machine under your kitchen cabinets. However, bear in mind that you’ll need to fill the water tank, so you might end up having to move things around.

User Interface

If you’re looking for a fully programmable coffee maker with a clock, wake up function and multiple brew styles, the Brim will disappoint. In fact, you might actually be more interested in a super automatic espresso machine!

You might have noticed that I’ve dropped the word “minimalist” a couple of times already in this Brim Coffee Maker review. Well, I wasn’t joking, especially when it comes to the user interface.

The Brim 8-Cup Coffee maker has been designed to do one thing, and to do it really well. So, all you get here is a single, solitary brew button. I have to say I’m all for it. After all, this machine is intended as a pour-over coffee maker and nothing else.

Still, I’d understand if some folks would have liked to have seen a few more functions. It’d be particularly nice to be able to adjust the water temperature, seeing as that’s an important variable for pour over. I mean, depending on a host of factors, different beans require different water temperatures for proper extraction.

Pour Over Shower Head

Now we’re getting to the meat and potatoes of what makes this brewer so effective. The Brim’s pour-over shower head is impressively large, measuring 2.25 inches (5.7 centimeters) across.

Featuring dozens of small holes, the shower head is able to mimic manual brewing by evenly distributing water across the bed of ground coffee. As you probably know, that’s going to result in an even extraction.

Best of all, the Brim Coffee Maker begins the brewing process with a slow pulse pre-infusion. That’s how you know we’re dealing with a legit coffee maker. After all, pre-infusion is vital in allowing the coffee to bloom, thereby releasing carbon dioxide from the roasting process.

Permanent Filter

The Brim Coffee Maker comes with a reusable permanent filter, which will please a lot of people. However, I’ve heard that when the permanent filter is sitting in the plastic filter holder, it sticks out too far. When you’re preparing a full carafe this way, ground coffee tends to bubble all the way up to the shower head during the blooming phase.

Fortunately, you’re also able to use #4 paper filters with the Brim. As it happens, I prefer paper coffee filters over metal ones, seeing as I always get a cleaner extraction. Besides, all those used filters go into the compost, which is why the plants in my garden grow so well!

Water Reservoir

I have to say I’m a big fan of the Brim Coffee Maker’s crystal clear water reservoir. There are easy-to-read level markings, including one for the “optimal” brew volume. The water tank has a 40-ounce (1.2 liter) capacity, which explains the whole “8-Cup” part of the Brim’s name.

Best of all, you can gaze in wonder as the water travels through the supply tube during the brewing process. I’ve experienced this with other coffee makers, and it never gets old. Then again, I’m fairly easy to please!

Glass Decanter

I’ve referred to the glass carafe throughout this Brim Coffee Maker review, but the manufacturer would like you to know it’s actually a glass decanter. Well big whoop-de-doo! Jokes aside, the decanter only enhances the Brim’s elegant sophistication.

With that said, I’m not a fan of how the silicone sleeve looks. I mean, I get it – the collar protects your fingers from getting burned. Still, I’ve seen quite a few carafes like this, and a wooden collar or a handle looks way better.

Keep Warm Function

Regular Coffeeness readers will know how much I dislike a hot plate on any coffee machine. Seriously, give me an insulated thermal carafe any day. That way I won’t have to suffer through overly acidic coffee that’s been slowly cooked to death.

Fortunately, the Brim Coffee Maker’s keep warm function is only engaged for half an hour after the brewing process is complete. Plus, the coffee is kept at between 176 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit (80 and 85 degrees Celsius), as per the requirements of the SCA.

Warranty

The Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker comes with a two-year warranty, which is quite generous. The warranty covers any manufacturer defects or faulty parts, and Brim will either fix the problem or send you a new machine.

How to Use the Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker

We’ve arrived at the part of my Brim Coffee Maker review where I tell you how to actually use the thing. Turns out, you probably don’t need any instructions. The Brim 8-Cup Coffee Maker is about as straightforward as it gets. Still, for the sake of completeness, let’s take a look at the steps involved in getting the perfect cup of delicious coffee from the Brim.

Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker Cleaning

I’m fully aware that the cleaning and descaling sections are the least exciting parts of my reviews. Still, I feel like it’s my duty to remind you that regular cleaning will ensure better tasting coffee in the long run!

Fortunately, keeping the Brim Coffee Maker in tip top condition couldn’t be easier. If you’ve used the metal filter, give it a good rinse after every use. As for the glass decanter, wash it in warm water at the end of each day. A little mild detergent won’t do it any harm either.

To keep the Brim looking its best, wipe down the stainless steel exterior and warming plate with a damp cloth. I’d also recommend giving the shower head a quick wipe-down after each use.

Even if you’re using filtered water the Brim Coffee Maker will need to be descaled every once in a while. You’ll know when it’s time to do the deed when the power light starts flashing white and red. I won’t bore you with the details – the user manual does a good job of that! Still, I can tell you that descaling the Brim is quick and painless.

Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker Specifications

Verdict: Brim Coffee Maker Review

consistent and reliable

Brim Coffee Maker

Simple and stylish

Stylish design

SCA-certified home brewer

Easy to use

Makes pour-over style coffee

Rather pricey

A couple of design flaws

CHECK PRICE

Let’s face it, $123.95 is a lot of money to spend on an automatic coffee maker. With that said, I’ve been pretty darn impressed during my Brim Coffee Maker review.

I’m of the opinion that you get what you pay for, and that certainly seems to be the case here. The Brim not only looks great, it’s easy to use and really well built. Further, it seems obvious that the manufacturer has put a lot of care and attention into the design of this machine. After all, the SCA doesn’t hand out awards to just any old coffee maker.

Ultimately, if you want high quality, pour-over coffee at the touch of a button, the Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker will really deliver.

Brim Coffee Maker Review FAQ