BLACK+DECKER CBG110S vs OXO 8717000 Coffee Grinders: Pulse Timing or Burr Settings

A grinder can be simple in two very different ways. The BLACK+DECKER CBG110S asks you to load a fixed bowl, hold the pulse control, and judge texture by elapsed time. The OXO Brew 8717000 asks you to choose a burr setting and a grind time, then repeats that setup with one button. They solve the same buying problem through occasional small batches or a repeatable multi-brewer routine.

Start with how each grinder controls texture

The CBG110S uses a stainless-steel blade in a fixed bowl. BLACK+DECKER's manual lists a maximum load of 2/3 cup, about 155 milliliters, and gives full-load starting points of 10–12 seconds for coarse, 14–16 seconds for medium, and 24–28 seconds for fine grounds. It also says not to run the grinder for more than 30 seconds at a time [1]. These are starting guides, not calibrated settings; load and pulse pattern still affect the result.

That simplicity creates two real reasons to choose it. There is no menu or numbered collar to learn, and the compact bowl works well when you grind only what a modest pot or press needs. The lid interlock prevents operation unless the lid is secured [1]. A blade chops at different positions, so returning to “14 seconds” cannot match the particle-size control of a fixed burr gap.

OXO's 8717000 instead uses stainless-steel conical burrs with 15 main settings plus microsettings. Its manual maps settings 1–5 to fine, 6–10 to medium, and 11–15 to coarse as starting ranges, while noting that roast, bean freshness, and brewing method still require adjustment [2]. That makes the OXO easier to dial back to a known position for different brewers. It favors consistency over minimum size, but still cannot choose the recipe.

Match the batch routine to a fixed bowl or hopper

The BLACK+DECKER is the more natural choice for someone who measures a small batch, grinds it, empties the bowl, and stores the appliance. Pulse control lets you stop and inspect without a permanent hopper. It can also process some dry, brittle nuts or seasonings, but the manual excludes moist, extremely hard, gummy, or oily foods and warns that flavors can carry into later coffee [1]. Dedicate it to coffee if clean flavor matters.

The OXO is built around a different rhythm. Its UV-tinted hopper holds up to 12 ounces, and a trap door closes when the hopper is removed, helping contain beans during removal [2][3]. The front dial sets a grinding time from 0 to 30 seconds; the start button runs that interval automatically, and the machine remembers the previous time [2][3]. The hopper keeps one everyday coffee ready, while the repeatable timer reduces setup after you match time and grind size to your dose.

That convenience has boundaries. A full hopper is less appealing if you change beans every cup, want to weigh every dose before grinding, or try to minimize retained coffee. The manual recommends starting at 10 seconds and then weighing or measuring the output because bean type and grind size change how much coffee a timed run produces [2]. Buyers who treat espresso as a precision hobby may also want a grinder designed for finer, stepless adjustment.

Cleaning and bean switching change ownership

The CBG110S bowl and blade do not come out for washing. BLACK+DECKER directs users to unplug the grinder, wipe its parts with a damp cloth or sponge, dry thoroughly, and put no part in a dishwasher [1]. That fixed-bowl routine is manageable for coffee-only use, but it is a poor match for anyone expecting a removable cup or frequent switches between beans and aromatic spices.

OXO gives you more access, but not a rinseable grinding chamber. The upper burr lifts out, and the manual says to brush the upper burr, lower burr, and grounds chute. The hopper, grounds container, and lids can be hand-washed with mild detergent and dried thoroughly; no part belongs in a dishwasher [2]. Before cleaning, OXO recommends running the empty grinder for 10 seconds to help clear the burrs and chute. The trap door reduces spills, but old grounds can remain in the chute, so switching is not zero-retention.

OXO also warns that oily dark-roast beans can clog the chute and that the grinder needs at least two minutes of cooling after each use [2]. The BLACK+DECKER's corresponding operating limit is simpler: never exceed 30 seconds per run [1]. Choose between wiping a fixed bowl and periodically dry-brushing a removable upper burr.

Choose the workflow you will actually repeat

Choose the BLACK+DECKER CBG110S when counter space is tight, batches are modest, and you are comfortable learning texture by short pulses. Its strongest case is not precision; it is direct control, a 2/3-cup ceiling, and a small coffee-only routine that ends with wiping the fixed bowl. Do not buy it for calibrated espresso dialing, a washable removable cup, or frequent spice-to-coffee switching.

Choose the OXO 8717000 when you regularly move among drip, pour-over, French press, or cold brew and want a numbered setting you can revisit. The conical burrs, 15-setting range with microadjustments, timed stop, and 12-ounce hopper support a repeatable daily process. Skip it if you single-dose every cup, constantly rotate beans, need an ultra-compact grinder, or want specialized espresso control.

Neither grinder is automatically “better.” The CBG110S removes setup by giving you one pulse control; the OXO removes repeated guesswork by preserving a timed burr routine. Buy the one whose cleanup, bean storage, and adjustment method match the coffee you make most often. If your current grinder already delivers acceptable grounds without slowing the morning, neither upgrade is urgent.