Baratza · Conical burrEncore
The Encore is the archetypal entry-level burr grinder — cheap, repairable, and genuinely wide-ranging for filter brewing. Espresso dialing is its known soft spot; the stepped adjustment gives 90-micron jumps at fine settings, which is more guesswork than craft.
The short version
A decade-plus institution for good reason: 40mm conical burrs, wide availability of replacement parts, and a price point that clears the way for a better espresso machine.
Accept that it is a filter-first grinder and you will never feel cheated; expect it to dial in a tight espresso shot and you will be frustrated.
Why people buy it
- Replacement parts and repair support available from Baratza for years after purchase — arguably the most serviceable grinder at the price
- 40 stepped settings spanning 250–1200 microns cover virtually every filter brew method well
Why they don’t
- Stepped adjustment moves ~90 microns per click at espresso settings, making repeatable shot dialing more luck than skill
The full tally
- Replacement parts and repair support available from Baratza for years after purchase — arguably the most serviceable grinder at the price
- 40 stepped settings spanning 250–1200 microns cover virtually every filter brew method well
- Low-RPM (450 RPM) DC motor keeps heat, static, and noise genuinely low for an electric grinder in this class
- Compact 12×16 cm footprint fits easily on crowded counters
- Stepped adjustment moves ~90 microns per click at espresso settings, making repeatable shot dialing more luck than skill
- Plastic grounds bin generates static that sticks coffee to the walls and makes transfer messy
- Grind speed of 0.8–1.1g/sec means an 18g espresso dose takes 16–22 seconds — slow compared to most mid-range grinders
What the community knows
Years of owner threads, distilled — the default recommendation in its bracket.
The entry-level burr-grinder default for filter coffee — unmatched value, proven 10-year longevity, active parts/mod ecosystem (Feldgrind upper burr, motor upgrades), and forgiving enough for coarse brew method learners; espresso ceiling is real and documented — fine for…
Beginner fit
kind to first-timers
Value
price-to-performance the community respects
Parts & serviceability
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
All 9 community measures
price-to-performance the community respects
shows up every morning, year after year
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
kind to first-timers
years before you outgrow or replace it
how far the cup can go, per dollar
speed and simplicity, day to day
Worth knowing before you buy — Most owners who stay in espresso eventually buy a dedicated grinder — the Encore is the grinder they wish they'd skipped directly to a Niche or Eureka for rather than learning twice.
Known weak points — motor burn-out under heavy daily use reported in multi-year ownership; upper burr wear over 5+ years of espresso grinding documented on Home-Barista
The measurements
Scored 0–5 on the same rubric as everything on file — the words matter more than the numbers.
The measurements
0–5, one rubric- Espresso
- brew-only2
- Versatility
- flexible4
- Built to last
- durable4
Position in the market
Every dot is a rival, measured the same way. The gold one is this.
- Lower half for espresso suitability
- a higher ceiling than 18 of the 154 grinders we’ve measured
- A value pick at this level
- 90% of grinders this capable cost more
- Lower half for build
- sturdier than 37% of the field, by the community’s own record
Every dot is a grinder measured on the same rubric. See the whole market
Living with it
The part spec sheets skip: counter space, upkeep, and what owners learn later.
The honest note — Owners who stick to filter brewing often stay on the Encore for years. Those who get pulled into espresso quickly feel the 90-micron step limitation and move to the Encore ESP, Baratza Virtuoso+, or a dedicated single-dose grinder like the Niche Zero or 1Zpresso JX.
The full spec sheet
- Class
- Entry espresso-capable
- Burrs
- conical
- Drive
- Electric
- Clarity lean
- Syrup & body
- Espresso suitability
- 2/5
- Brew versatility
- 4/5
- Retention
- ~0.5 g
- Single dosing
- No
- Hopper
- 227 g
- Workflow demand
- 2/5
- Maintenance
- 1/5
- Noise
- 2/5
- Build longevity
- 4/5
- Dimensions
- 12 × 16 × 35 cm
Before it arrives
What completes this grinder — the faded pieces can wait.
Hover any piece for its why.
- Grinder cleaning kit — Brushes and grinder tablets keep retention and stale grounds in check.
Feed it right
Week one is dial-in — and stale beans will lose it.
Coffee more than a few weeks past roast won’t extract predictably, and a new grinder gets blamed for it. These burrs pull syrup — naturals and classic medium roasts play straight into their character.
Pick your coffee — any of these dials in beautifully here:
Highland Elixir - Papua New Guinean Sigri PlantationSCA 86Medium-dark · Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands · WashedBright Citrus · Caramel SweetnessSyrup and body, matched to these burrs.CA$22.43 · roasted to order
Lavabloom - Indonesian Sumatra MandhelingMedium-dark · Mount Leuser, Sumatra · Wet Hulled (Giling Basah)Dark Earth · Bittersweet ChocolateSyrup and body, matched to these burrs.CA$19.02 · roasted to order
Etherea - Ethiopian YirgacheffeSCA 88Medium roast · NaturalJasmine · BergamotSyrup and body, matched to these burrs.CA$24.16 · roasted to orderWhole bean coffee, with the roast date on each bag.
Prefer regular deliveries? RoastPlan is RoastAroma’s coffee subscription. Choose your coffees and their available options, then set deliveries every 1–6 weeks.
One-time RoastAroma orders are roasted to order in Ajax, Ontario and ship Canada-wide. We’re the roastery behind this database — measuring the machines is how we make sure the coffee gets a fair shot.
On film
How it runs on camera, from around the community.
Common questions
Is the Baratza Encore good enough for espresso?
It can grind fine enough to pull a shot, but its 90-micron step increments at fine settings make dialing in repeatable espresso difficult. If espresso is a regular priority, the Encore ESP or Virtuoso+ is a more practical choice.
Can I upgrade the burrs in the Encore?
Yes. Baratza sells the M2 40mm burr set (used in the Encore ESP and older Virtuoso) as an aftermarket upgrade for approximately $35. It improves grind consistency, especially for espresso, and is installable at home without tools.
How loud is the Baratza Encore?
It runs at a low 450 RPM thanks to dual gear and electronic speed reduction, which keeps it quieter than most entry-level grinders. It is not silent, but it is unlikely to disturb a sleeping household.
Where are Baratza Encore burrs made?
The hardened alloy steel burrs are manufactured in Liechtenstein, Europe, by Etzinger.
What is the hopper capacity?
The bean hopper holds 8 oz (approximately 227g) of whole beans.
Worth comparing
Baratza
Encore ESP
The Encore ESP is Baratza's espresso-oriented reimagining of their classic Encore, fitting 40mm M2 conical burrs and a dual-resolution stepped collar into a sub-$200 package that handles both espresso and filter from one grinder.
US$199–200 · CA$275–280
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