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
Wild Ember - Ethiopian Buno Dambi UddoSCA 92Medium roast · Odo Shakiso, Guji Zone, Oromia · NaturalBlueberry · MarmaladeSyrup and body, matched to these burrs.CA$26.83 · roasted to orderWhole bean, dated, ready for your burrs the week it lands.
Roasted to order, daily, in Ajax, Ontario · ships 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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