Baratza Encore Burr Grinder Review
Many people turn to brew coffee at home to save money, and while it is a significantly cheaper option, the actual price of the coffee could easily take up any savings.
However, there is a way for you to cut your costs for home-brewed coffee without cutting quality by half.
If you’re looking for a professional-grade grinder that will last forever and give you consistently good results every time, consider buying the Baratza Encore Grinder.
Baratza Encore Grinder – The Lowdown
While most coffee grinders will begin to lose the quality of your coffee with Age, Baratza Encore stays in almost perfect shape after every use.
This grinder is designed with an updated grinding mechanism, it has been dramatically improved through improved ceramic burrs and a shaft manufactured from a single piece of aluminium.
The motor and torque are essential when it comes to grinding coffee, so Baratza had to make sure they had taken care of this area first.
This coffee grinder has been my daily driver for manual brewing for years. It was my first foray into enjoying coffee at home.
The Encore grinder is a top-rated entry-level machine. It comes with a clear and easy-to-read display, a dishwasher-safe collection bin, a pre-programmed timer, and superb grinding consistency.
I have never had to purchase a replacement burr set or any other maintenance parts. The motor is still running well after years of grinding coffee beans for my French press and pour-over method.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Dimensions:14.5 x 6.8 x 12 inches
- Weight: 7.9 lbs.
Burrs: 40mm conical burrs made of steel and hardened aluminum for strength, longevity, and even grinding results.
Encore does not come with any accessories, but you can purchase them separately for a more refined process (for example, the Vario, which grinds for espresso).
What is Baratza Encore Burr Grinder?
The Baratza Encore is one of the most easy-to-use machines that I have ever used. It comes with an integrated timer and a pulse button. There are two more buttons marked “off” and “on,” but they are redundant.
You can easily choose how long you would like the beans to be ground and turn it on. If you want to adjust the time, the pulse button will come in handy, and you don’t need to switch it off to re-set the time.
The quality of the grind is also top-notch. It has an excellent cooling mechanism that keeps it from heating too much and burning your beans (and your coffee).
It is much quieter for its size than other grinders and also comes with a burr cleaning tool.
PRICE
At the time of writing this, the Baratza Encore is $139.00. Check The Current Price at Amazon.
COST-BENEFIT
The Baratza doesn’t come at a low cost compared to other options for beginners, such as those who will grind with blades. Nevertheless, it only slightly surpasses burr grinders in the category. This coffee grinder is inexpensive and a solid choice in its category.
You can expect that the product will last a long time before it needs to be replaced. The product is also easy to use and has 40 different settings for calibration purposes. The Encore is an affordable and reliable brewing machine. It’s a great tool to explore different methods of brewing coffee at home.
This is a perfect grinder for people just entering the world of coffee enthusiasts for the price. It is well-built and comes with excellent customer service support.
Those new to grinding their beans have great functionality that will make a massive difference in your morning ritual. The grind settings make it easy to change the size of your coffee grounds for any of the coffee-making methods you prefer.
However, This isn't a machine for coffee geeks who are looking to get the perfect cup of coffee. If you want that, you need to spend more money.
Encore provides an excellent experience for its customers. If you have expectations that the value of your product meets, then you’ll also love it.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder Review
I am confident that many coffee enthusiasts are already cognizant of this popular entry-level burr grinder. If you seek a first electric coffee grinder or just beginning to brew at home, you may typically find it at many coffee suppliers or on Amazon.
However, it will commonly be on the Top 10 list. It is well-liked for some decent reasons.
1. Design
Baratza Encore is a basic model that doesn’t look fancy at first glance. It comes in black and white colors. I deem it appears to be a dependable grinder.
The large hopper can hold 227 grams of coffee beans, and the body is made of rigid plastic. You'll enjoy a solid feeling with this product.
This machine is very straightforward. The machine has no unnecessary buttons, and there is an on/off switch near the side and a pulse button on the front.
You can see some numbers below the hopper. You can change the grind size by turning the hopper. The grounds bin at the bottom has a capacity of five ounces and is perfect for serving coffee for everyone in your family or friends.
The Encore is approximately 13 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide (a depth of about 6 inches). The grinder is compact, but it's also heavy. It has a muscular build and an extra weight that makes it durable.
2. Durability
This is an aspect in which the Encore is exceptional. Some of its parts are made from plastic, but they’re all of the top quality. This is why this machine is heavy, doubly so for its (albeit) small size.
The gears in the Michelin Encore are made out of 15% tempered glass-filled thermoplastic. This translates into highly durable and long-lasting gears that are not very loud during operation because, as per Ensinger Plastics. Materials with high dimensional stability are great for making parts that don’t break.
As if that wasn't enough, the Baratza grinder also comes with outstanding customer service and support. This means if any of the parts break, it's easy to find and replace.
This grinder is solidly built and will last for years. It has everything you need, from a coffee grinder and more.
3. Ease of use
It takes less than one minute to assemble the parts of a new Baratza Encore grinder. You can grind your coffee by setting the size and turning it on and off.
Any other complicated procedure is not needed. A pulse button is a helpful feature on the burr grinder. It's easy to use and makes a clean grind.
Up to about forty grind settings can be perplexing for beginners. The grinder comes with a guide to help you decide what grind setting is best for the method you’re using.
So you can experiment to find the optimum settings that suit you best.
4. Conical burrs and motor quality
Baratza Encore has a low RPM motor and conical burrs, two features that are essential for a good quality grind.
The powerful motor can grind whole beans and coarsely ground coffee quickly and evenly. It can do so with its 40 variable grind settings. This burr grinder features a low-rpm, high torque DC motor.
The throughput speed is about 72 grams of beans per minute. The grinder can handle many beans and doesn’t display any issue with fractional grinds or finest grinds.
The machine grinds the beans without creating any noise or static, making it easier for the machine to feed them into the grinder. The product has a powerful motor that's durable for years.
5. Maintenance
This grinder comes with an easy-to-remove bean hopper, which also has a transparent lid to view the beans while you are grinding them.
The grinding chamber is also easily removed for cleaning. You need to remove the burr catcher to clean the grinder, which has a transparent lid to view your grinds.
The burrs are made of hardened steel and aluminum, making them last for years.
6. Grinding Capability
With a wide range of grind settings, you can personalize your coffee to your preferred brewing method. Turn the hopper as you examine the imprinted readings at the base.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to coffee grind size. You can produce coarse or fine grounds depending on the kind of coffee.
This Baratza is most adept at ensuring that coffee consistency is smooth, making it ideal for grinding. You can get a good coffee using a regular grinder, but you’ll get the best results with a pressurized portafilter. The consistency of the ground is not as important when making cold brew coffee.
With a grinding range of 250 microns to 1200 microns, you will perform tasks with ease.
The Drawbacks
- It’s slow to grind, and hence, it’s not great if you need to prep coffee for many people.
- It’s not great with espresso unless you’re using a pressurized portafilter.
- It doesn’t meet the needs of a pro coffee junkie as it doesn’t come with advanced features, but you cannot expect them from an entry-level grinder.
- It can be messy, as the grounds frequently fall in the gap when you remove the grounds basket.
The Encore Isn’t For You If:
- You Have A Super Low Budget- The Encore is not a cheap product. The high-quality materials used in its construction add to the cost. However, it’s worth it. If your funds are limited, then there are other cheaper models you can choose from. But I would highly recommend the Baratza Encore as it’s a significant investment as it can grind your coffee for a long time.
- You Want Advanced Features – If you’re a pro coffee maker, Encore won’t be able to satisfy your needs. It doesn’t come with all the advanced features you would typically expect from a high-end coffee grinder. This equipment suits beginners who want to test out the world of coffee grinding, but not necessarily for professionals looking to grind an espresso shot with every cup.
- You Love to Brew Espresso – Encore has been designed for home use and coffee shops. So it’s not ideal for espresso connoisseurs, but there are other models for that. If you’re a fan of espresso, then you might want to invest in a different model than Encore.
- You Want More Than 40 Grind Settings – Encore comes with 40 grind settings, and it’s ideal for any type of bean or grinds size you wish to achieve. This range also includes the popular fine and coarse grinds, making it versatile yet essential for beginners.
- You Want A Minimalist Design – Like any other Encore grinder, this one is simple and built mainly of plastic. Some coffee enthusiasts may find the design a little too plain.
Is an Encore Better Than a Blade Grinder?
If you’re looking to upgrade from chopping up your beans with a blade grinder, this product might be just what you’ve been looking for. It’s not only easy to use but also gives out more consistency than blade grinders do.
So, Should You Buy The Baratza Encore Burr Coffee Grinder?
First of all, I’d like to say that I’m impressed with the quality of the burr grinder; it is just fantastic! It is robust and sturdy.
This is my first burr grinder since I have always been using blade grinders. So far, I’ve been able to make latte art with it, which isn’t hard at all for me, thanks to having tried only blade grinders for so many years… I’m thrilled with this purchase.
If you want a grinder for your small business or a home where friends and family can visit to enjoy freshly ground coffee, this Encore Burr Coffee Grinder is the one to go for.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get an excellent product that will last for many years.
And it’s not just the price that makes this Encore burr grinder good value for money; it also has an excellent grind quality.
You won’t notice any inconsistent grounds in your coffee preparation, thanks to the conical burr grinder.
This product features impressive burr technology for optimal performance and longevity.
But, as with any product, there are some drawbacks. The Baratza Encore Burr Coffee Grinder is heavy and bulky, making it unsuitable for smaller spaces.
And although the grinder is powerful enough to handle most jobs you throw at it and should be able to accommodate a wide range of beans, the Encore is no match for more advanced models.
FAQs
How do I clean my Baratza encore?
For regular cleaning, you should be using a soft brush to clean any stray coffee grounds. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe your grinder after each use.
For regular maintenance, you should unscrew the bean hopper and brush it clean, replacing all the bean hopper seals as well. Make sure to close the top of the bean hopper; this is very important as it ensures that air won’t get in and damage your grinder.
How long does it take for my Baratza Encore to grind beans?
Baratza Encore Burr Grinders are pretty fast when it comes to grinding beans. It takes around 300- 400 strokes to grind a single 1.5oz cup of coffee beans that weigh around 12.5 grams each.
It is essential to make sure that the grinder is empty before you start grinding. Otherwise, the beans may get stuck on the burrs as they feed into the grinder. You can also use a grain hopper to store extra beans so that you can just grind them once and store the rest in there for next time!
How long will a Baratza encore last?
Due to its quality parts, rust-proof materials, and durable construction. The motor is powerful enough to grind all types of beans. In addition, the vacuum system design prevents the loss of grounds or coffee oils into the air.
However, there are a few things that can damage your grinder, such as overloading it or under-oiling it. Always make sure you use enough coffee grounds for everything to go smoothly and efficiently!
How do I know if my grinder burrs need replacing?
If your grinder is not performing as it used to, that is a sign that your burrs need replacing. This is because the burr assembly needs to be balanced for the grinder to work correctly. When you notice significant changes in the grind quality, this could mean that the burrs need replacing.
Conclusion
That said, the Encore is more than capable of handling a wide range of coffee grinds and gives out perfectly ground coffee each time.
So it’s suitable for beginners looking to get started in coffee grinding or for those trying to improve their brewing techniques.
I hope you liked my Review on Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder!
