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Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK, Black
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Color | Black |
Brand | Baratza |
Style | Automatic |
Product Dimensions | 6.3"L x 4.7"W x 13.8"H |
Recommended Uses For Product | Grinding |
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About this item
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- GO-TO ENTRY LEVEL GRINDER - Baratza’s best-selling grinder, with its small footprint, is THE choice for brewing coffee at home. Available in White or Black.
- USER FRIENDLY - A convenient, front-mounted pulse button, plus a simple ON/OFF switch make it easy to grind fresh coffee.
- 40 GRIND SETTINGS - Engineered with 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs that help you explore the extensive range of brew methods (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
- WARRANTY/QUALITY PARTS - Hardened alloy steel burrs manufactured in Liechtenstein, Europe, plus a powerful DC motor. This combination creates a consistent grind and durability to ensure the longevity users have come to expect from the Baratza brand. The Encore is backed by Baratza’s world class support and a 1 year warranty. 2020 Update has exact same trusted functionality with a sleek new exterior.
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This Item Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK, Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $149.14$149.14 | $199.95$199.95 | $99.95$99.95 | $345.00$345.00 | $11.99$11.99 | $97.99$97.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Noise level | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.4 |
Easy to use | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 5.0 | — | 4.6 |
Easy to clean | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | — | 4.1 |
Flavor | — | 4.2 | — | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
Value for money | — | 4.0 | — | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Fellow Industries Inc. | Aieve | Electronics Expo (Authorized Dealer) |
capacity | 5 ounces | — | 0.75 pounds | — | — | 11 ounces |
material | Plastic | Plastic | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Silicone | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
wattage | 220 watts | 150 watts | — | — | — | 100 watts |
style | Automatic | Modern | Burr Coffee Grinder | — | Simple | Auto |
weight | 3.1 kilograms | 3.35 kilograms | 4.47 pounds | 9.92 pounds | 0.34 pounds | 4 pounds |
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Product Description
Encore
Recommended by coffee experts as THE go-to entry level grinder for brewing coffee at home.
Entry-Level All-purpose
This tried and true grinder has been on the market since 2012 and is our most widely used grinder. Its grind consistency and reliability make it a great little workhorse for your home espresso, drip or French Press coffee setup.
Easy, Intuitive control
Straightforward and easy to use, with a motor that is activated by an on/off toggle switch on the side for continuous grind OR a convenient pulse button on the front for a quick grind burst.
40 steps of grind adjustment
Featuring 40 individual grind settings, you can go from fine to coarse for all the popular brew methods such as espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers. Its 40mm hardened steel burrs produce the quality grind that is going to make a key difference to the taste in your cup.
Small but Mighty Grinder
With its small footprint, the Encore fits nicely under most kitchen cabinets. The hopper can hold 8 ounces of whole beans, and the clear grounds bin has a fill line to indicate when emptying is needed. The quality engineering and build will give excellent grinding performance. Baratza grinders are designed to be serviceable; parts and support are available to provide years of use and environmental sustainability.
Entry-Level All-purpose
Easy, Intuitive control.
40 steps of grind adjustment
Small but Mighty Grinder.
Don’t Dump it, Fix it!
Most small, consumer appliances are designed to wear out, or stop being useful in a very short time. These appliances are difficult and expensive to repair, so consumers are trained to dump and replace which has big environmental implications.
In contrast, we’ve purposefully designed Baratza grinders to be maintained like commercial grinders and maximize their value. With regular cleaning, maintenance, repair, and even rebuilds our grinders can give an excellent, accurate grind for many years.
Videos
Videos for this product
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BARATZA Conical Burr Grinder - Grind Test & Review
The French Glow
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Best high quality long lasting, consistent and effective
Sara Joy
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1:04
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Military Review of Coffee Grinder, Honest Review! Watch 1st!
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Product information
Color | Black |
---|---|
Brand | Baratza |
Style | Automatic |
Product Dimensions | 6.3"L x 4.7"W x 13.8"H |
Recommended Uses For Product | Grinding |
Specific Uses For Product | Coffee Grinder |
Voltage | 220 |
Item Weight | 6.82 pounds |
Department | Small Appliances |
Manufacturer | Baratza |
ASIN | B007F183LK |
Item model number | ENCORE |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #5,650 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #4 in Burr Coffee Grinders |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 13, 2010 |
Warranty & Support
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers have mixed opinions about the ease of assembly, value, performance, noise, ease of cleaning, and quality of the electric food mill grinder.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are mixed about the quality of the electric food mill grinder. Some mention it is a serious grinder and delivers very even grinds, while others say it clogged to the point that it wouldn't grind anymore. The new burrs got the grind time down and the new baffle design seals way better than the previous design. However, some say it doesn't perform as well as the Preciso or other high-end grinders, makes a little mess with loose grinds and is inferior in functional design. Overall, the product is better than cheaper options.
"...When you remove the cup, there's no dust, no grinds falling out anywhere, and NO STATIC. As Biden would say, "No Joke"...." Read more
"...high-quality materials used in its construction ensure longevity and durability, making it a reliable companion for your coffee journey for years to..." Read more
"...This grinder is great for that! It’s quality enough to get a professional level grind and a gourmet cup of coffee any time of day multiple times a..." Read more
"...2. Does it leave grinds everywhere? Yes, it does leave traces of grinds in the holder and along the lip of the ground coffee bin. Is it a big deal?..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the performance of the electric food mill grinder. Some mention that it works well enough, with a slower grind than their former cheaper Bodum Bistro, while others say that it is far more flimsy and less useful than they would like, and that it didn't even last a year before dying. The paddles break easily, and the hopper is plastic, making it susceptible to cracking if dropped. The floppy gasket that goes between the mouth of the grinder and the mouth is also a source of frustration for some customers.
"...apparently what makes Barasta grinders so popular is that all their parts are serviceable. They are supposed to be very easy to clean and maintain...." Read more
"...The small cone brush (value 5 cents) provided by Baritza is completely useless...." Read more
"...I highly recommend it for its performance, simplicity (sometimes simple is better) and the customer support the Baratza team provided.***..." Read more
"...After it's all together, it works great...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the noise of the electric food mill grinder. Some mention that it isn't quiet, but not loud enough that they would think twice about it, while others say that it's a bit loud and can get grounds everywhere. They also mention that the Baratza is larger, noisier, and about 30% more costly than the product.
"...So, to address the most common questions...1. Is it noisy? Yeah, somewhat, but I'm used to it...." Read more
"...The Baratza Encore operates quite quietly, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful brewing experience...." Read more
"...Next, I gave it 3 stars for noise level. While it generates a fair amount of noise, show me a coffee grinder that's whisper-quiet...." Read more
"...It’s quiet enough to run in the morning to start your day, it’s consistent in grind size, and it’s easy to keep clean and take care of...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of assembly of the electric food mill grinder. Some mention that it's a very easy, reliable cup of joe and works best with a, while others say that it was difficult, frustratingly involved, and a total nightmare to use.
"...3. Is it difficult to clean? Not that I can see. The burr grinder is very easy to remove. There is an included brush for cleaning...." Read more
"...This unit fits the bill. It was mostly easy to assemble. The hopper gasket is a real finicky part to install...." Read more
"...However, cleaning the Baritza Encore is a total nightmare. Brushing out the grind chamber and the ejection chute can be difficult...." Read more
"...With its precise grinding capabilities, user-friendly features, and durable build quality, it consistently delivers exceptional results...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of cleaning. Some mention that the product is excellent, cleans easy, and the container is less messy. However, others say that the grinding noise and the difficulty in cleaning. They also mention that they tend to leave a lot of gunky residues, it does get messy in the shelf, and that the chute is clumsy to access and clean.
"...They tend to leave a lot of gunky residues. If I want flavored coffee, I buy it already ground.4. Is the power cord too thick?..." Read more
"...Regular maintenance is a breeze, and Baratza provides excellent customer support for any troubleshooting or replacement parts you may need...." Read more
"...top of the hopper coming off during grinding; the noise; and difficulty in cleaning. All unfounded, in my opinion. Baloney!..." Read more
"...day, it’s consistent in grind size, and it’s easy to keep clean and take care of. Plus with everything being replaceable, it’ll last a lifetime...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the electric food mill grinder. Some mention that it's worth every penny, while others say that it is cheap in inexplicable places. The lid to the hopper doesn't fit either, and after two years it'd just be not worth it.
"...Summary: fantastic grinder for an excellent price makes this a best buy in my book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a serious coffee..." Read more
"...Baratza sells almost part for it, and at reasonable prices...." Read more
"...a 5-cent part when bought in bulk - that is far more flimsy and less useful than I would have expected given the price of this unit...." Read more
"...It's well worth the money and should last for years, considering it's one of the few grinders with replacement parts available on the Baritza website." Read more
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Now that I am retired, I am a lot more conservative with my spending. That expensive Rancilio grinder finally died and it was time to look for a replacement. The idea here was to find the best bang-for-the-buck
grinder at a price point of under $200. I spent days doing research and found that Barista Encore was constantly rated as the best in class for what I wanted to spend. I placed my order on Amazon and then spent time watching setup videos on YouTube.
I had a bit of a rough start. When I unpacked my brand-new Encore I was shocked to find that the gasket included looked nothing like the one I had seen in countless videos and setup guides. Even the included instruction book showed a completely different gasket than the one I received. I panicked. I thought that Baratza made a manufacturing mistake. I placed a phone call to customer service and found that their phones were shut down due to overwhelming demand. So, I fired off an email thinking it would be days before I got a response. Within 15 minutes, a customer service representative emailed me back saying that the company had recently updated their gasket for this model and was unable to include new documentation for it in recent shipments.
So, let me just stop here and say that I was extremely impressed by the customer service response. When they were overwhelmed on the phones, they at least had someone watching email inquiries and making certain responses went out within minutes of being contacted.
So, let me start with the gasket. For me, after watching all the setup videos, it was the one aspect of putting this Encore together that I was concerned about. The old gasket was cumbersome to align. It was a very smart thing for Barasta to upgrade the gasket. Now, it's considerably smaller, and you can simply plop it into the burr grinder without any difficulty. There are new videos online explaining how to do it, but I can save you time by saying you need to insert the thick end of the gasket into the grinder before installing the hopper.
So, to address the most common questions...
1. Is it noisy? Yeah, somewhat, but I'm used to it. It's less noisy than the industrial Rancilio Rocky it replaced. And, I can't fathom any coffee grinder that is not going to make a considerable amount of noise.
2. Does it leave grinds everywhere? Yes, it does leave traces of grinds in the holder and along the lip of the ground coffee bin. Is it a big deal? No. It's the nature of these grinders. I have a small handheld vacuum to deal with it. A cheap coffee brush is another way to take care of the cleanup. It's minor, to say the least.
There is a great accessory you can buy on Amazon for under $14 that will eliminate trace grounds. Look for AIEVE Upgrade Single Dose Hopper. It's a must-buy accessory for your Encore.
3. Is it difficult to clean? Not that I can see. The burr grinder is very easy to remove. There is an included brush for cleaning. Every few months I am going to throw in some cleaning tabs and grind it through. I also don't recommend using this grinder for flavored or shiny beans. They tend to leave a lot of gunky residues. If I want flavored coffee, I buy it already ground.
4. Is the power cord too thick? I only bring this question up as it's one of those things I read complaints about in review after review. No, it's not. It's the same as my Rancilio Rocky which is considerably thicker than what you would find on a toaster or electric can opener, which is to be expected.
5. Is the build quality cheap? While there is a lot more plastic here than I would want to see, from the online videos I have watched, experts believe that the Encore is made of solid materials and built to last for many years. In fact, if you go through a pound of coffee a week, and clean as recommended, the estimated life of this device is 10 years before you need to start replacing anything.
From the research I have done, apparently what makes Barasta grinders so popular is that all their parts are serviceable. They are supposed to be very easy to clean and maintain. The company has a library of diagrams that help you navigate their machines.
My first grind and cup of coffee were memorable.
With some research, I found the perfect grind setting for my Technivorm Moccamaster. That coffee maker requires a more coarse grind so I set my Encore at "20" and poured my beans into the hopper. It is suggested to have the hopper running when you pour your beans in so you are not grinding from a dead stop (which is not good for the blade). I found the resulting grind to be very uniform in appearance.
The coffee the grind produced was spectacular. I think I had been using the wrong setting on the Rancilio Rocky for years, grinding my beans slightly more finely (which you want to do with drip coffee makers). This more coarse grind setting produced a more flavorful cup of coffee. I was delighted.
The Encore is for most enthusiasts who aren't looking for Expresso grinds. It's the best entry-level conical grinder for anyone that doesn't want something cheap or wants to spend a fortune on a device like this. And to say "entry-level" isn't even fair. There are coffee shops that use these grinders, from what I understand. This brand has been a staple in the coffee community for decades. It has a reputation for being the best in its class.
So, I promise to keep using this every day and if it doesn't live up to my expectations, I will update this review regularly and keep everyone aware. For the moment, I am delighted to own this product. If my first cup of coffee is any indication of where things are going, I think we are going to make beautiful java together.
Now that I am retired, I am a lot more conservative with my spending. That expensive Rancilio grinder finally died and it was time to look for a replacement. The idea here was to find the best bang-for-the-buck
grinder at a price point of under $200. I spent days doing research and found that Barista Encore was constantly rated as the best in class for what I wanted to spend. I placed my order on Amazon and then spent time watching setup videos on YouTube.
I had a bit of a rough start. When I unpacked my brand-new Encore I was shocked to find that the gasket included looked nothing like the one I had seen in countless videos and setup guides. Even the included instruction book showed a completely different gasket than the one I received. I panicked. I thought that Baratza made a manufacturing mistake. I placed a phone call to customer service and found that their phones were shut down due to overwhelming demand. So, I fired off an email thinking it would be days before I got a response. Within 15 minutes, a customer service representative emailed me back saying that the company had recently updated their gasket for this model and was unable to include new documentation for it in recent shipments.
So, let me just stop here and say that I was extremely impressed by the customer service response. When they were overwhelmed on the phones, they at least had someone watching email inquiries and making certain responses went out within minutes of being contacted.
So, let me start with the gasket. For me, after watching all the setup videos, it was the one aspect of putting this Encore together that I was concerned about. The old gasket was cumbersome to align. It was a very smart thing for Barasta to upgrade the gasket. Now, it's considerably smaller, and you can simply plop it into the burr grinder without any difficulty. There are new videos online explaining how to do it, but I can save you time by saying you need to insert the thick end of the gasket into the grinder before installing the hopper.
So, to address the most common questions...
1. Is it noisy? Yeah, somewhat, but I'm used to it. It's less noisy than the industrial Rancilio Rocky it replaced. And, I can't fathom any coffee grinder that is not going to make a considerable amount of noise.
2. Does it leave grinds everywhere? Yes, it does leave traces of grinds in the holder and along the lip of the ground coffee bin. Is it a big deal? No. It's the nature of these grinders. I have a small handheld vacuum to deal with it. A cheap coffee brush is another way to take care of the cleanup. It's minor, to say the least.
There is a great accessory you can buy on Amazon for under $14 that will eliminate trace grounds. Look for AIEVE Upgrade Single Dose Hopper. It's a must-buy accessory for your Encore.
3. Is it difficult to clean? Not that I can see. The burr grinder is very easy to remove. There is an included brush for cleaning. Every few months I am going to throw in some cleaning tabs and grind it through. I also don't recommend using this grinder for flavored or shiny beans. They tend to leave a lot of gunky residues. If I want flavored coffee, I buy it already ground.
4. Is the power cord too thick? I only bring this question up as it's one of those things I read complaints about in review after review. No, it's not. It's the same as my Rancilio Rocky which is considerably thicker than what you would find on a toaster or electric can opener, which is to be expected.
5. Is the build quality cheap? While there is a lot more plastic here than I would want to see, from the online videos I have watched, experts believe that the Encore is made of solid materials and built to last for many years. In fact, if you go through a pound of coffee a week, and clean as recommended, the estimated life of this device is 10 years before you need to start replacing anything.
From the research I have done, apparently what makes Barasta grinders so popular is that all their parts are serviceable. They are supposed to be very easy to clean and maintain. The company has a library of diagrams that help you navigate their machines.
My first grind and cup of coffee were memorable.
With some research, I found the perfect grind setting for my Technivorm Moccamaster. That coffee maker requires a more coarse grind so I set my Encore at "20" and poured my beans into the hopper. It is suggested to have the hopper running when you pour your beans in so you are not grinding from a dead stop (which is not good for the blade). I found the resulting grind to be very uniform in appearance.
The coffee the grind produced was spectacular. I think I had been using the wrong setting on the Rancilio Rocky for years, grinding my beans slightly more finely (which you want to do with drip coffee makers). This more coarse grind setting produced a more flavorful cup of coffee. I was delighted.
The Encore is for most enthusiasts who aren't looking for Expresso grinds. It's the best entry-level conical grinder for anyone that doesn't want something cheap or wants to spend a fortune on a device like this. And to say "entry-level" isn't even fair. There are coffee shops that use these grinders, from what I understand. This brand has been a staple in the coffee community for decades. It has a reputation for being the best in its class.
So, I promise to keep using this every day and if it doesn't live up to my expectations, I will update this review regularly and keep everyone aware. For the moment, I am delighted to own this product. If my first cup of coffee is any indication of where things are going, I think we are going to make beautiful java together.
I have now been using this grinder for close to 2 years. I have also purchased a Vario-W in order to grind by weight as I thought that would help with my consistency while making espresso; however, I will be honest, I now use the Vario for Drip and Press and use the Encore exclusively for espresso. I'm sure the Vario would work just as well (probably better) but I have found the right setting, tamp pressure, etc that makes the coffee I like using the Encore, so why mess with a good thing? I mention that for the benifit of those thinking this might not be a good espresso grinder. While I am aware that there are other pro-sumer models available, this one has been great. It does not have a large range of usable settings for espresso, but with varying tamp pressure, you should be able to get what you are looking for. A quick story about Baratza's customer support: a few months ago I noticed that my grind was suddenly too course and my shots were flowing way to fast. Since the grinder was well outside of its one-year warrany, I took it apart and found that the insides had been severely damaged. I had just moved form Washington State to Alabama and I am sure the damage was due to the poor packing and handling my goods received from our movers. (A story for another day). Anyway, as I mentioned somewhere below in one of my earlier reviews, Baratza sells pieces to replace your grinder should you need them. I needed a new ring assembly that holds the actual grinder teeth in place (consisting of several pieces) and even a new internal housing to remount the motor as some of the mounts had been broken (probably from the movers throwing my things). I was surprised to see everyting I needed was actually available to the consumer on their website - no annoying calls to convince someone to sell me those pieces. While I was at it, I decided I would also replace some other pieces that I figured wouldn't hurt - all in all I was looking at around $30 to rebuild my grinder like new. I was pretty excited about the prices. I emailed Baratza and told them my story and asked if they had any guides or schematics to help me in the rebuild. Within a day, I recieved a reply from Baratza and they told me I shouldn't have such an extensive failure with my unit in such a short time of owning it and they told me they had canceled my order and were shipping me a NEW grinder - and to please return the broken one in the box along with a prepaid shipping label they provided!!! I wrote back and explained that my grinder was no longer under warranty and the damages were due to mishandling: not a manufacturing defect - I thought someone had misunderstood me. They wrote back and said they were sorry my grinder was broken by the movers and they were happy to replace it! I couldn't believe it - they sent me another grinder with no payment from me and simply trusted me to return the broken one. When I got the new grinder I noticed the grind settings were different from the earlier one - I had read they tuend it up for better espresso performance and they did - before I was unable to "choke" my Quickmill Silvano - now if I use a setting below 6, it chokes up. I find settings 6-8 work the best for espresso, 18-24 for drip/pour-over and 30-35 for French Press. Of course, that is all highly subjective and your mileage may vary, but if you are new to the Encore, perhaps that will give you a "ballpark" to work with. Anyway, since that day about 5 months ago, I've continued using my Encore and am very pleased with it. I highly recommend it for its performance, simplicity (sometimes simple is better) and the customer support the Baratza team provided.
*** 1 Year Update***
I have been using this grinder multiple times per day for a year now and so far I have NO problems to report. It still grinds just as well as it did on day one, the burrs are still sharp and I still love this grinder. I have no doubt I made the right purchase and I am glad I didn't opt for the "fancy" lcd models with the automated grind features; to me all those extra bells & whistles = more that could break. If I were to upgrade, it would be for a unit in another "class"; perhaps the Vario, but that is several $100 more and I don't see any reason to do so at this time. I will add that there is a 1 star review on this site that complains about larger beans not feeding through the hopper. Initially, I thought it sounded silly; however, not long ago, I roasted a batch of beans much darker than usual (VERY VERY dark roast), resulting in the beans being about 1 1/2 times their usual size. While grinding, I noticed that about 4 beans got lodged between the hopper and burrs. I tapped the side of the unit a few times and the final beans fed through the hopper. I had this happen two or three times. So, I suppose if you habitually use a bean that is much larger than your typical coffee bean, you might have an issue. Just search through the 1 star reviews for more details (at the time of this update, there was only one 1 star review).
Summary: fantastic grinder for an excellent price makes this a best buy in my book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a serious coffee drinker.
***Update***
I've been using this grinder daily for almost 4 months, grinding enough for about 12 cups each day (maybe more on weekends). I usually use it early morning, afternoon and evening. I grind mainly for drip and espresso, occasionally for French press or pour-over. I still have no complaints with this grinder: I believe I made the right choice between this and fancier LCD options. I've ground for a 12 cup pot on numerous occasions when company comes over, and it never overheats or bogs or slows down- I don't think it notices if you're grinding for 1 cup or 12! Everything is solid and the burrs are still sharp as ever. Once a month I disassemble it to give it a good cleaning. It doesn't seem to retain much grinds in the chamber. My only gripe is the static build up after grinding can make a mess when you pull out the grind chamber: there are enough grinds clinging to the exit chute to scatter on the counter if you're not careful (to be fair, this is a common problem plaguing all burr grinders). But really I don't even notice that anymore, after a couple weeks you develop your own routine on how to deal with it and it ceases being an issue. I tend to grind, prep the coffee pot/filter to give the static time to discharge, then I give it a solid knock or two on the side and front before taking out the chute (thankfully this is a VERY solid grinder). It might sound tedious, but I actually had to sit here and think about it because it's simply second nature now and I don't even notice doing it. The only time I notice the problem is when someone else uses the grinder who isn't aware of the "technique".
Another great feature is that baratza sells every piece imaginable should you ever have a problem in the future: right down to a new motor or exterior knobs! All the pieces seemed priced appropriately. So while this may not be important to some, I like knowing that should the need arise, my equipment is completely serviceable. So I guess when the day comes that I need new burrs, I won't be shopping for another grinder, but paying a small sum for a new set of burrs. I didn't find that option on many of the other units I shopped around for. Ultimately, I still completely recommend this grinder and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants quality, affordability and versatility all rolled into a single package!
***Original Review***
I've been looking for a grinder that I could use with my current espresso machine (pressurized portafilter), drip coffee pot, and french press and would also allow me to grow into a more expensive espresso machine (i.e. the Rancilio Silvia or Quickmill Silvano). I was looking at the Rocky grinder, the Baratza Vario and Virtuoso Preciso, the Breville Smart Grinder, et al. Then I came along the Encore which I believe is new for 2012. I read several "professional" reviews and even saw some video reviews where the Encore was able to "choke" the Silvia at around grind setting "6". If you aren't aware, the Maestro and Maestro Plus (which the Encore replaces) weren't able to grind fine enough to choke the Silvia straight from the factory. Although this grinder isn't "stepless" (you have a larger variance from one "click" to the next when adjusting the grind setting, you still get 40 settings which are plenty for any home grinder. With a little tamping technique, this grinder will work fine for any espresso machine - not my opinion - the "pros" opinion. I am currently using it with my pressurized espresso machine, my drip pot and the occasional pour over and french press. It works great for them all! While it doesn't perform as well (or so I've read) as the Preciso or other high-end grinders, the fact that you can even begin to compare them speaks volumes for Baratza. I believe that currently there is NO other grinder on the market that can stand next to this one in terms of quality & versatility within the price range. Maybe the Breville Smart Grinder, but it still costs 50% more, I don't like the LCD display and I've heard (no practical experience) from several sources that Breville customer service is not quite up to par. If any of you out there care, the Baratza Maestro and Maestro Plus were already popular grinders and Baratza completely over-hauled it and produced the Encore - it offers WAY more at the same price. I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm selling the Baratza name, but this is the first of their products I've owned - I'm just impressed they did this with the Encore. So often a company produces a 2nd iteration of a product with lesser features or cheaper quality parts. Check it out for yourself, the innards are improved for better durability along with the burrs for a more consistent and fine grind! WOW...who does that?!
Oh, and the first time I used it my wife was in the other room (separated by an open doorway) and she was shocked to find I had used it without her hearing it! Maybe when I close the door and begin my 5am grinding I won't wake the kids!
The only con (which I've heard is not an uncommon problem with this type of grinder) is that when I remove the grind container and IF I accidentally knock the grinder, leftover grinds can fall from the chute onto the counter. I have a Dustbuster within arms reach of the grinder so it's no big deal, but if I didn't, it might aggravate me.
I'm so glad I bought this and not one of the other many many brands I researched for months. I completely recommend it.
Top reviews from other countries
I saw somewhere that the number 1 thing that's recommended to people who are setting up home coffee brewing is to get a decent burr grinder like this one. I have to agree. Nothing else has had a greater impact on the quality of my coffee at home.
One important thing to note!..... The instructions are lacking one majorly important step. A lot of you will struggle with this. There is a white plastic ring inside the grinder that sits on top of the burr ring. You have to attach those together and they snap into place, becoming one piece. They do not come attached and the quick setup guide doesn't mention it. If you miss this step, you won't be able to use this thing properly and will likely damage it while trying to grind your first batch. That may or may not be why I had to return the first unit I purchased.....
As for the grinder... main gripes are that it's loud and I got a full clog relatively soon after starting to use it. I think it needs to be cleaned a couple of times a week to keep it from clogging.
Had to dial down the coarseness and went ahead with the grind. On pouring out the ground coffee, we found two small white plastic pieces with the coffee. Taking off the hopper, we found that out of the four small plastic stubs at the bottom, two had broken off.
Reviewed in India on August 6, 2023
Had to dial down the coarseness and went ahead with the grind. On pouring out the ground coffee, we found two small white plastic pieces with the coffee. Taking off the hopper, we found that out of the four small plastic stubs at the bottom, two had broken off.