Behmor Brazen Plus Review: Is It Worth It?
Good morning, coffee lovers, I'm Sam. The Behmor Brazen Plus is a drip coffee maker with a stainless steel reservoir, adjustable water temperature and pulse brewing. Behmor, the maker of the 2000AB home coffee roaster, built the brewer for people who want control over every cup. The Specialty Coffee Association certifies it.
When we serve Guatemalan Huehuetenango, a weak drip coffee maker makes a flat cup fast. The brewer heats its full tank first, then pulses water over the grounds. Owners set temperature from 190°F to 210°F (88°C to 99°C), pre-soak time and altitude. Lab tests found a smooth, well extracted cup at 20.3 percent. A brew takes 10 to 12 minutes, and the 40 oz (1.2 L) carafe cools fast.
Readers learn how the 4.0 differs from earlier versions. The review compares the brewer with the Bonavita, Bunn and Moccamaster. It also covers the $219 price and the 2 year warranty. The verdict favors coffee tinkerers and points everyone else to faster machines. I answer 8 common questions, from temperature control to rival drip brewers. No sponsor paid.
What Is the Behmor Brazen Plus?
The Behmor Brazen Plus is a drip coffee maker with a stainless steel reservoir, adjustable water temperature and pulse brewing. The brewer fills a 40 oz (1.2 L) thermal carafe. A backlit screen and eight buttons set every brew. The Brazen Plus is a standalone machine and needs no phone app.
Behmor also makes the 2000AB home coffee roaster. Joe Behm, the creator of that roaster, built the Brazen with one goal. He wanted the most accurate drip coffee maker available.
Accuracy needs a measuring stick, and the Golden Cup standard is one. The Specialty Coffee Association certifies the Brazen Plus as a home brewer. Older reviews call the group the SCAA. CNET says the machine meets the strict standards for a golden cup of coffee.
The standard sets clear targets for the brew. Water must reach 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C) at the grounds. Brew time runs 4 to 8 minutes. TDS lands at 1.15 to 1.35 percent.
Extraction, the share of the grounds that dissolves into the water, lands at 18 to 22 percent. The standard's ratio is 55 g (1.9 oz) of coffee per liter (34 oz) of water.
Because the machine lets owners adjust these settings, it suits coffee tinkerers. Owners pick the water temperature, the pre-soak time and the altitude. Buyers who want one-button coffee have simpler choices.
Which Versions of the Brazen Plus Has Behmor Sold?
Behmor has sold several Brazen Plus versions, and retailers list the 4.0 today. The 3.0 manual carries a January 2021 date. Tech Gear Lab tested an earlier unit and lists it as discontinued.
The versions differ most in how they release water. Earlier units release 5 oz (150 mL) every 15 seconds. The Brazen Plus 4.0 pulses water 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off. The 4.0 brews faster than the earlier versions.
The 4.0 also has set specs that matter to a buyer. It runs on 120 V and 1400 W and carries a 2 year limited warranty. Two metal filters ship in the box, one for 4 cups and one for 6 to 8 cups.
The Behmor Connected Coffee Maker is a different kind of machine, because it moves the controls to a phone app. The app sets bloom time from 15 seconds to 3 minutes. Temperature runs from 190°F to 208°F (88°C to 98°C). The Brazen Plus keeps every control on the machine.
Brazen Plus Versions:
| Model | Pulse Pattern | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier Brazen Plus units | 5 oz (150 mL) every 15 seconds | On the machine |
| Brazen Plus 4.0 | 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off | On the machine |
| Connected Coffee Maker | Pulse brewing with bloom of 15 seconds to 3 minutes | Phone app |
How Does the Behmor Brazen Plus Brew Coffee?
The Behmor Brazen Plus heats the full tank first, then pulses the water over the grounds to brew coffee. Water reaches the set temperature before any flow starts. The stainless steel reservoir holds up to 40 oz (1.2 L).
CNET timed the heat-up at 5 minutes 24 seconds. The brewer took 40 oz (1.2 L) of cold tap water to 200°F (93°C). Actual brewing then ran about 5 minutes 30 seconds.
Water leaves the tank in pulses, not one steady stream. The basket fills and drains in turns, like a manual pour-over. A wide shower head wets the grounds evenly.
Owners fill the stainless steel reservoir with the water they want. They load ground coffee into the basket with a metal or paper filter each time. The brewer has no automatic dosing.
Brewing Steps:
- Fill the stainless steel reservoir with water.
- Load ground coffee into the basket with a metal or paper filter.
- Set the water temperature and pre-soak time, or keep the saved settings.
- Press start and let the brewer heat the water and pulse it over the grounds.
Batch size runs from 6 oz (175 mL) to 40 oz (1.2 L). Water passes through the grounds and drains, so the grounds do not steep as in a French press.
The temperature range covers the Golden Cup window. The range of 190°F to 210°F (88°C to 99°C) includes 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C). The 5 minute 30 second brew stage sits inside the 4 to 8 minute target.
CNET measured 11 to 12 minutes from start to finish, with a 15 second pre-soak included. Brewing waits for the water to reach the target temperature, and that wait adds minutes.
What Do the Brazen Plus Temperature and Pre-Soak Settings Do?
The Brazen Plus sets water temperature from 190°F to 210°F (88°C to 99°C) and pre-soak time from 15 seconds to 4 minutes. The brewer saves both settings between brews. Owners set them once.
The pre-soak starts the bloom. Hot water wets the grounds, and carbon dioxide leaves them. Pre-soak can also be turned off.
The manual suggests 202°F (94°C) and a 45 second pre-soak as a starting point. A pre-soak near 90 seconds can bring out more flavor in fresh, local beans.
Altitude calibration adjusts the boiling point, which falls as height rises. The routine takes about 5 minutes and runs once. Behmor rates the brewer for altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3,048 m).
Key Settings:
- Water temperature from 190°F to 210°F (88°C to 99°C)
- Pre-soak time from 15 seconds to 4 minutes, or off
- Altitude calibration up to 10,000 feet (3,048 m)
- Saved settings between brews
How Does the Brazen Plus Manual Release Work?
The Brazen Plus manual release works as a hot water source, with a button that starts and stops the flow. The brewer heats water to the set temperature and holds it for up to ten minutes.
That held water is meant for brewing methods the machine does not run itself. Owners pour it into a Chemex or a French press. Any vessel under 9 inches (23 cm) tall fits under the shower head.
The function gives full control over water temperature. CNET found it useful but tricky. The screen does not show clearly when the flow is on or off.
Steam adds another problem in manual mode. Steam can escape up the front of the unit. Condensation then beads on the control panel and the screen.
What Features Does the Behmor Brazen Plus Have?
The Behmor Brazen Plus has features such as a stainless steel reservoir, a reusable gold filter and a thermal carafe. A clock, an auto-start timer and saved settings round out the controls.
Water meets the machine first, so the reservoir and the water path are stainless steel. The dispersion screen, which spreads the water over the grounds, is food-grade, BPA-free plastic. The brew basket is plastic too.
The grounds sit in that basket, so they need a filter. A reusable gold-tone filter comes in the box. Paper filters fit too, and Behmor recommends the Bunn A10. Owners use one filter type at a time.
The clock and the auto-start timer start a brew at any chosen time. On-board memory restores the settings after a power cut.
The 40 oz (1.2 L) stainless steel carafe has double walls and a brew-through lid. The lid stays on while the coffee brews. The spout is dripless.
Key Features:
- Reservoir: Stainless steel reservoir and water path.
- Filter: Reusable gold-tone filter.
- Display: Backlit screen with eight buttons.
- Timer: Clock and auto-start timer.
- Carafe: 40 oz (1.2 L) double-wall thermal carafe with brew-through lid.
How Big Is the Brazen Plus?
The Brazen Plus is big: 15.5 inches (39 cm) tall and 8.5 inches (22 cm) wide. CNET measured a depth of 8.1 inches (21 cm) on the earlier unit.
The 4.0 is slightly larger, at 15.75 by 9 by 9.5 inches (40 by 23 by 24 cm). Next to most drip machines, the tower stands tall.
Behmor says the brewer fits standard cabinets. Owners fill the tank by lifting the lid from above, so a low overhead cupboard blocks that step.
Power draw runs about 1300 watts while heating and just under 1 watt at idle. The thermal carafe keeps coffee hot without a keep-warm cycle, which normally draws 40 to 50 watts.
What Does the Brazen Plus Not Include?
The Brazen Plus does not include a grinder, a warming plate or app control. Owners grind beans separately. The machine only brews, so it needs ground coffee from another tool.
The thermal carafe takes the place of a hot plate. The carafe holds in heat, so no keep-warm cycle runs.
The Behmor Connected Coffee Maker adds app control. The Brazen Plus keeps every setting on the machine. Consumer Reports lists auto-shutoff and a permanent filter as features.
Does the Behmor Brazen Plus Make Good Coffee?
Yes. The Behmor Brazen Plus makes good coffee that is smooth, well extracted and free of bitterness. Strength is the one point of debate.
CNET tasted rich, earthy, almost buttery cups at 201°F (94°C). No bitterness showed up, and bitterness is a common failing of lesser brewers.
That clean result holds across roasts. The brewer handles delicate Sidamo notes and bold French roast notes alike. High temperature settings can also revive stale, pre-ground coffee to a drinkable cup.
Strength is where the labs split. Tech Gear Lab scored taste 6.0 out of 10 and found the cup smooth but weak. The OXO On and the Cuisinart DCC-3200 make a stronger cup.
Grind size affects how the coffee extracts. Behmor advises a grind like kosher salt, between fine and French press. That equals 20 to 22 on a Baratza grinder. Pre-ground coffee can slip through the gold filter.
Filter choice also changes the cup. The gold filter passes more oils, which give a fuller body, plus some fine sediment. A paper filter catches those oils and sediment, so it gives a cleaner, brighter cup.
How Did the Brazen Plus Score in Lab Tests?
The Brazen Plus scored 7.8 out of 10 in CNET lab tests and 62 out of 100 in Tech Gear Lab tests. Both labs found a smooth cup. They split on strength.
CNET measured a TDS of 1.28 percent. TDS is the share of dissolved coffee in the drink, and it shows how strong the cup is. That equals a 20.3 percent extraction, inside the 18 to 22 percent target range. The test used 2.3 oz (65 g) of coffee for 40 oz (1.2 L) of water.
That dose works out to about 54 g per liter. The Golden Cup ratio is 55 g per liter, so the test ran on standard.
The water temperature readout proved accurate. CNET's thermometer matched the screen, though the thermometer updated 2 to 3 seconds sooner.
The Bonavita BV1900TS reached the same 1.28 percent with 2 oz (57 g) of coffee for 45 oz (1.3 L) of water. The Bonavita makes more coffee from fewer grounds.
Consumer Reports found the brew close to its 195°F (91°C) guideline and held for five or six minutes. The carafe was not especially easy to use.
Tech Gear Lab scored user friendliness 7.0 out of 10. Convenience and ease of cleaning each scored 6.0.
Lab Results:
| Source | Result | Main Finding |
|---|---|---|
| CNET | 7.8 out of 10 | Control is unmatched, carafe cools fast |
| Tech Gear Lab | 62 out of 100 | Smooth but weak cup |
| Consumer Reports | No public score | Brew near 195°F (91°C), carafe hard to use |
What Are the Problems With the Behmor Brazen Plus?
The Behmor Brazen Plus has four main problems: slow brewing, a weak carafe, condensation and a small pot. The coffee itself is not the complaint.
Brewing is slow. Tech Gear Lab needed 10 minutes to brew 6 cups, against a 5 minute average. CNET logged 11 to 12 minutes from start to finish.
Heating takes about 5 minutes 24 seconds, and brewing takes about 5 minutes 30 seconds more. The 4.0 pulses faster, but the full tank still heats before any water flows.
Condensation builds under the flat 7 inch (18 cm) reservoir lid. Opening the lid after a brew can drip water onto the counter. In manual mode, steam also wets the screen.
The pot is small. The carafe holds 40 oz (1.2 L), while rival carafes hold about 45 oz (1.3 L). CNET found smaller batches need more coffee to taste right.
Brand data is thin. Consumer Reports has too little owner survey data to score Behmor for reliability or satisfaction.
Main Problems:
- Slow brewing
- Condensation under the reservoir lid
- A 40 oz (1.2 L) pot smaller than rival carafes
- A carafe that cools fast
- Thin brand reliability data
Is the Brazen Plus Carafe Any Good?
No. The Brazen Plus carafe is not good at holding heat, and the pour is uneven. The steel body also hides the coffee level.
CNET measured the contents above 150°F (66°C) for only 2 hours. The Bonavita carafe held heat for nearly 4 hours. The Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 held it for 6 hours.
The brew-through lid never fully seals, even when screwed tight. Heat leaks out during the hold. The same lid spares owners a lid swap at brew time.
Handling adds to the problem. Consumer Reports calls the carafe not especially easy to use. Tech Gear Lab found the wide opening easy to spill from.
Is the Brazen Plus Easy to Clean?
Yes. The Brazen Plus is easy to clean at the filter but awkward at the carafe. Tech Gear Lab rated cleaning average.
The reusable filter is the simple part. It needs a quick rinse and a light scrub with soap. No part of the brewer is dishwasher safe, so every piece gets washed by hand.
The carafe is the harder part. The carafe is hand wash only, and coffee left in it overnight stains the steel. A long bottle brush reaches its crevices.
Mineral buildup is the other cleaning job. The wide reservoir lid shows that buildup at a glance, which makes it easy to spot. Behmor advises a coffee maker cleaner such as Dezcal every quarter, or sooner when chalky residue appears.
Descaling took 35 minutes in Tech Gear Lab's test and made little mess.
How Does the Behmor Brazen Plus Compare to Rivals?
The Behmor Brazen Plus compares well on control but loses to rivals on speed and pot size. CNET calls its control unmatched. Price also counts against it.
CNET tested the Bonavita BV1900TS at $190 and the Bunn Velocity Brew BT at $170. Both brewed full 45 oz (1.3 L) pots in about 6 minutes or less. The Brazen Plus carafe holds 40 oz (1.2 L).
The Bunn needed 3 minutes 33 seconds because it keeps its water preheated. The Brazen Plus heats its water only when a brew starts.
Tech Gear Lab compared the OXO On and the Cuisinart DCC-3200. Both make a stronger cup. They took 6.5 and 7 minutes for the tested batch, against 10 minutes for the Brazen Plus.
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 costs $349 and carries a 5 year limited warranty. Its thermal carafe holds 40 oz (1.2 L), the same as the Brazen Plus carafe.
The Breville Precision Brewer BDC400BSS costs $299.95 and carries a 2 year limited warranty. Its My Brew mode adjusts bloom time, brew temperature and water flow rate. A Gold Cup setting follows SCA brewing standards.
Brazen Plus vs Moccamaster and Bonavita: Which Wins?
The Brazen Plus wins on control, while the Moccamaster and Bonavita win on carafe and price. Each machine suits a different buyer.
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 has the best carafe of the three. The brand is known for machines that last a long time. Its carafe held heat for 6 hours in CNET's test.
The Bonavita BV1900TS brews with one button and costs less. Its pre-infusion setting is less customizable. Its carafe still held heat about twice as long as the Brazen Plus carafe.
The Bonavita BV1900TS sells for $189.99 today and carries a 2 year limited warranty. Pre-infusion is an optional setting that wets the grounds before brewing.
The Brazen Plus is taller and slower than both. Its edge is the saved temperature, pre-soak and altitude settings.
Carafe Heat Hold:
| Model | Hours Above 150°F (66°C) |
|---|---|
| Brazen Plus | 2 |
| Bonavita BV1900TS | Nearly 4 |
| Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 | 6 |
How Much Does the Behmor Brazen Plus Cost?
The Behmor Brazen Plus costs $219 for the current 4.0 model. Specialty coffee retailers list that same price.
That price has moved over time. Past prices ran from $130 to $229 across earlier versions and sales. CNET listed an earlier Plus at $229, and Tech Gear Lab listed another at $170.
Rivals cost less in CNET's test. CNET priced the Bonavita BV1900TS at $190 and the Bunn Velocity Brew BT at $170. Tech Gear Lab says the same $200 buys the OXO On.
Current rival prices run from $189.99 to $349. The Bonavita BV1900TS costs $189.99, the Breville Precision Brewer BDC400BSS $299.95 and the Moccamaster KBT 741 $349.
Current Prices:
| Model | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Behmor Brazen Plus 4.0 | $219 | 2 years |
| Bonavita BV1900TS | $189.99 | 2 years |
| Breville Precision Brewer BDC400BSS | $299.95 | 2 years |
| Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 | $349 | 5 years |
Running costs stay low after the purchase. The gold filter is reusable, so paper is optional. The brewer draws about 1300 watts while heating and under 1 watt at idle.
What Warranty Does the Brazen Plus Carry?
Every new Brazen Plus 4.0 will carry a 2 year manufacturer's limited warranty. Two specialty retailers list that term.
Consumer Reports lacks enough owner survey data to rank Behmor for reliability. The predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores stay blank.
Older listings for the Brazen line state a 1 year limited warranty. That coverage required the owner registration card within 30 days of purchase, or online registration at behmor.com.
The Moccamaster KBT 741 carries a 5 year limited warranty, three years longer than the Brazen Plus 4.0.
Is the Behmor Brazen Plus Worth It?
Yes. The Behmor Brazen Plus is worth it for coffee tinkerers who want control over temperature and pre-soak. For everyone else the machine is overkill.
CNET calls the machine overkill for most households. The cons are slow brewing, a small pot, a carafe that cools fast and condensation.
The pros are a well extracted cup at 20.3 percent, a stainless steel reservoir and a programmable start. Few drip brewers offer altitude calibration.
Pros:
- Smooth, well extracted cup
- Adjustable temperature and pre-soak
- Stainless steel reservoir
- Programmable start
- Altitude calibration
Cons:
- Slow brew cycle
- Small 40 oz (1.2 L) pot
- Carafe that cools fast
- Condensation under the lid
The Bonavita, the Bunn and the Moccamaster brew faster and cost the same or less. Buyers who tweak little get more value from them.
Who Should Buy the Brazen Plus?
Coffee tinkerers should buy the Brazen Plus, since the machine rewards constant adjustment. Owners of Chemex or French press gear gain a precise hot water source.
Hosts who brew for crowds need a bigger, faster pot. The 40 oz (1.2 L) carafe and the slow cycle fit small households best.
Owners need a burr grinder that hits the kosher salt grind. Behmor recommends the Baratza Virtuoso.
Kitchens need open height above the machine. The tower is tall, and the lid opens from the top.
Who Should Skip the Brazen Plus?
Hosts who brew for crowds should skip the Brazen Plus and choose a faster brewer. The Bonavita BV1900TS and the Bunn Velocity Brew BT make full 45 oz (1.3 L) pots in about 6 minutes or less.
Speed is not the only reason to look elsewhere. Buyers who want a carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours need the Moccamaster KBT 741, which held heat for 6 hours. Coffee stays drinkable through a long morning.
Other buyers care most about taste. Those who want a stronger cup need the OXO On or the Cuisinart DCC-3200.
Some buyers want no choices at all and just want one button to press. They also skip the machine. At $219, those settings add little value.
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