Baratza Encore ESP : In-Depth Review

[@hardway_6823]

What an excellent review! I've been looking for a decent espresso grinder and it's so hard to find unbiased reviews and information anymore. Whole Latte Love has been a superb resource for everything coffee for many many years and this video review is typical of the kind of no-nonsense excellence that WLL offers. Well done and I'm looking forward to firing up my old Silvia again (which I bought from WLL back in 2002) and need look no further for a quality espresso grinder!

[@1rightrev]

OK! I have been watching many videos trying to pull a decent shot. I have done everything by the numbers except buy a decent ESPRESSO grinder! I finally spring for the Baratza Encore ESP and VOILA! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Instantaneous, lush, thickish, gorgeous crema. Thank you Marc for the recommendation. It's spectacular!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Good grind makes all the difference!

[@MrBlacklightning93]

Just brought one myself and im loving it.

[@bean420man]

If I didn’t already have the encore, I’d definitely buy this. Even though I don’t drink much espresso, I do like the other little upgrades over the encore.

[@manisharora6233]

Same here

[@johann00]

Hi ! Thanks for the review, on my town i can get it for 180€ or the Eureka Mignon CRONO for 199€.. Wich one should I buy for espresso ? Cheers

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi there. Given the two options here, I would recommend the Encore ESP as it has been specifically designed to grind for espresso and the Crono is more a brew grinder. --BRYAN

[@s1ddh4nt]

Does the single dose hopper come included in the box or is an accessory at an additional cost? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi @s, single dose hopper is an accessory.

[@CBornfrank]

Hey Bryan, I'm in between this and the eureka facile. I only make espresso. Maybe 4 shots a day between me and my SO. Should I pair the baratza or the eureka with my new gaggia classic pro. First time going into the higher end things and I do not consider myself a pro at all.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hello CB. If you are only going to be making espresso, I would recommend the Facile over the Baratza in this scenario. The Facile will give you better clarity in the cup due to the flat burrs. It is quieter and actually has anti-clumping and anti-electrostaticity features in place to help provide fluffier grounds and less mess. It is a little more expensive, but the investment is worth it. -BRYAN

[@veronicainza]

Hello @wholelattelove, I upgraded from an espresso maker appliance (DeLonghi Dedica) to an espresso machine (Gaggia Classic Pro). I exclusively drink espresso and have been having growing pains making my espresso taste right. I am now ready to buy a coffee grinder and coffee beans instead of pre-ground coffee espresso. Can you recommend on which coffee grinder machine options I should be looking at (be able to use on single doses)? Since I am still learning and want to make sure my grinder machine aligns with my espresso machine, I am looking to spend no more than $500. Thanks :)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi V, Grinding fresh is the way to go! It will improve your espresso!!! A good no frills starter espresso grinder is the Eureka Mignon Facile: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-facile-espresso-grinder It uses 50mm flat burrs. Flat burrs are preferred for espresso. It's quiet, has precise grind size adjustment (very important) and is well within your priced range. Be sure and learn the dialing in process. Here's a great video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5-reYelfM-mnqs Single dosing is a great option if you will be switching bean types often and you enjoy the process of making espresso. SD grinders run more $$. Mignon Zero is an excellent value single dosing grinder with slightly large 55mm burrs: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-zero-single-dose-coffee-grinder-matte-black Hope that helps! Marc

[@GenZyannd]

I find the encore a bit too loud. should I upgrade to the encore esp or virtuoso if I mainly do pour over every morning?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi GZ, thanks for the question. All the grinders you mention have about the same noise level. The Encore ESP has benefits for those doing espresso but works for pour over .

[@TheCosyCrafter]

I wish the dosing cup fit a 51mm (didn’t hear it mentioned so assuming it doesn’t)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi TCC, Honestly have not tried on a 51mm but think it's going to be a little too big.

[@TheCosyCrafter]

It's too big, but it works when I have my magnetic dosing ring on :)

[@hbr6545]

I've seen some videos of this machine where they show a dialing system on top of the machine. Here you only show the cofee container. Am I missing something?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

The hopper turns to adjust grind size as seen in video

[@keesverhagen9227]

I need a grinder to use for making coffee in a perculator. It needs a much larger course then drip coffee. Somehow i get the impression that this grinder is the wrong choice for that. Because setting 40 is even to fine. Can anyone confirm this ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi k, Thanks for the question. The Encore max particle size is 1200 microns. The Baratza Virtuoso+ can coarser out to 1400 microns so probably a better choice: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-virtuoso-coffee-grinder?variant=20202903896118

[@MS-jy8nt]

This is great but honestly I’m tired of people saying that you can’t get a good shot with the regular Encore. You certainly can.

[@Limemill]

Does it hold its own against similarly priced hand griders like the 1zpresso J-max, in your opinion? How much worse is it compared to grinders from the next price category, say the DF64?

[@chancemcdonald4639]

If you are wanting to grind fresh beans, do not go for a hand grinder. I have the 1zpresso J-Max and it is a workout to grind out a cup of coffee. I am definitely upgrading to this very soon.

[@Limemill]

@@chancemcdonald4639 Right, thanks for the advice. Honestly, based on other reviews, I still expect the J-max and similarly priced hand grinders outperform electric grinders in the same price category by a whopping margin, but I just wanted to hear some confirmation.

[@blissrunner]

​@@Limemill Have an 1Zpresso K-Plus. I say it's just hard to grind light roast + espresso setting (usually 3 spot). If it's commercial... it's better for electrics since there's less work/stalling

[@Limemill]

@@blissrunner Man it kind of sucks since these grinders are supposedly on par with electric grinders 2 to 3 times their price. Going for the Encore ESP in the same price range would make me always wonder what kind of espressos I would be able to get from an 1zpresso at the same price tag... Maybe I just have to suck it up, save a bit more and buy a more expensive electric grinder after all

[@Benihana81]

@@Limemill I just upgraded from the J-Max Pro to this after about using the J-Max for around a year. Right off the bat, the hand grinder does not clump like the ESP does and is able to grind finer if needed. The ESP does clump a bit, pretty much making a IDT tool necessary, but all the other issues I thought I would have with an electric grinder (coffee retention, messiness, noise) weren't really an issue. I can put in 15g of beans and I get around 14.9g after grinding. After playing with the ESP and finding the right grind setting for my beans (4 clicks for 15g), I am very happy. Honestly the hand grinding got very old, and if you grind anything that is not dark roast you are in for a workout. The biggest upgrade for me is the consistency. The J-Max was never consistent in it's grinding and I always hand to go up 1 click or down 1 click, with the ESP I can leave it at the setting that is needed and not have to worry about. In the end, they both did make the same great tasting coffee.

[@timdales8300]

Thanks! This was a instructional. I have a Baratza Sette 30 and have been unimpressed with it. After 3months use the adjustment ring interlock switch is not engaging so the grinder won't even run! Is this a better Baratza model for an espresso lover like me?

[@rcpmac]

Baratza will fix it for you free of charge OR even better send you the parts and consult with you (my personal choice)

[@timdales8300]

@@rcpmac Thanks! Yes, after a few weeks they replaced the unit. Very good return policy, just takes time.

[@yankeeblues2007]

I just updated to the ESP from my old Solis and notice that the hopper shakes when grinding. Once, the top even popped off. I can see yours shaking too. So….normal? My old Solis fit was tighter. Thx

[@robertwilliams5618]

Which Solis? The scala?

[@jojoaldo2637]

Exactly the same here. I've had the lid fly off a couple of times (and land between the fridge and cabinets - a pain). I think it has to do with the new style of gasket between the hopper and upper burr. Sloppy design, but produces very good espresso grounds, for $199 - just have to live with it I suppose.

[@abdulazizamh6495]

@@jojoaldo2637How is it so far?

[@yano213]

Maybe late, just change the O-Ring on the top burr. By a 34x38x2. You will grind thinner and the hopper will be more stable

[@magelinekelley7536]

Zero retention in my encore esp so far on day 2 having used it about 4 times. Hope it stays this way.

[@chikenburger]

Hey any update on how you like your grinder a month in? I'm thinking of getting one.

[@magelinekelley7536]

@@chikenburger Hi! So far so good. I do have to spray my beans before grinding. I forgot to spray one day and it made a big mess, and my grounds were about 3 grams short. So if you have a dry home/kitchen with low humidity, spraying a tiny spritz is essential. I like it so far. I find it grinds too fine at anything below 19 setting using dark roast. I set it at 19 for the same beans I got last month. the output with a bit of sprayed water is consistently the same as the amount before grinding without retention.

[@rayngrace]

​@magelinekelley7536 may I ask name or link to the sprayer your using? Thanks

[@jmd1743]

It would be nice if you could purchase an upgrade kit.

[@Limemill]

What upgrade kit?

[@roynoelgaurana1110]

can i use that for a small coffee shop grinder?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Roy. I would say you could probably get away with using it as a grinder for batch brew or pourovers for a low volume coffee shop / cart. Unfortunately, I would not recommend using it for espresso in any commercial environment. -BRYAN

[@reuireuiop0]

Chose your grinder yet ? Which one did you get?

[@robertosticca597]

What are the micron adjustments between clicks?

[@alexquittner3466]

Iirc from Lance Hedricks video, in the 1-20 range it’s 18.8 microns.

[@TriathlonMadeEasy]

Can it brew as fine as Turkish ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi there. The Encore ESP would not be able to grind fine enough for a true Turkish coffee. At its finest setting you could make Turkish coffee with it, but you will have noticeably more grounds in the end result than desirable. --BRYAN

[@misdirections]

My hopper has a lot of play. Is this normal? It wobbles quite a bit when grinding, but doesn't seem to affect anything otherwise. I've tried removing and reinstalling it several times and can't find a way to make it feel as tightly attached as my regular (no ESP) Encore grinder

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi there. It has been our experience as well that the hopper has a little bit of wobble, but as you also said, through our testing we never noticed any difference in grind performance. --BRYAN

[@alejrandom6592]

"Jesse, I know the brewing, and you know the business..."

[@topjets5616]

Nice video :)

[@MyInternetPersona]

Me unit came with a set of washers. What are they for?

[@jojoaldo2637]

I believe the washers are for future adjustment - to raise the lower burr as it wears in or possibly to replace with upgraded burrs that may have different vertical dimension.

[@MyInternetPersona]

@@jojoaldo2637 Thanks! I'll hold on to them then.

[@sebastianayala5621]

⁠@@MyInternetPersonathose are the shims, and you can add them so I’ll give you more space to grind

[@T1_Jk]

فيديو جميل 😍 ، أحب قناتك ❤️‍🔥👍

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Might of made sense to actually demonstrate how each click affected the espresso extraction. Thanks.

[@rcpmac]

This guy has an ESPRESSO MUSTACHE!!!!

[@vinouomo9127]

This is the grinder for you if you need a maintenance project out to infinity..

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi v, Thanks for the comment. Definitely not the same build quality and serviceability as prosumer level espresso grinders!

[@cicciobello8470]

Hi Brian, you have an amazing lookalike, italian comedian Maccio Capatonda, you should check him out

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Ciccio. Thanks. I can see the resemblance! --BRYAN