You can STOP looking for espresso grinders: The Baratza Encore ESP

[@brendansmith]

The single dose hopper really improves things FWIW. My take? There's nothing as good at twice the price. Especially as an all around grinder. Mine sits next to a Niche Zero and I often reach for the ESP, which says a lot.

[@kitcraft9516]

Having had one for a while now I highly recommend an aftermarket single dose hopper with bellows. Yes, Baratza makes a SD hopper but the bellows, to me, is the important part because the retention for me is fairly high. Maybe not shot to shot but it builds up over the week and you will get it all at once randomly. Particularly if you like darker roasted specialty coffees (Onyx Eclipse) and for sure if you like stuff like Lavazza. Just my experience though.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Totally agreed here - I was getting up to 3 grams retention on espresso grind, that’s a lot. After peeking inside and cleaning it out a lot I could see how even a good bellows might not even get it all, but it would help. I was surprised because I had seen this commonly referred to as very low retention. I found that to be true on filter but espresso grounds def clump up inside there a lot more

[@CalcuttaNotebook]

Which single dose hopper with bellows you would recommend, please?

[@johnmpifer]

I found out about your channel from the Coffee 101 podcast. Really enjoyed your conversation with Kenneth about the French press and other stuff. Just want to take a moment and congratulate you on the quality of your videos! After watching a few of your videos, I was surprised that you don’t have a bigger following! Keep up the good work, and you will surely get many more! I’d also like to say, I always read comments on the videos, I watch, and I am also impressed with the sophistication and knowledge of your subscriber base. Obviously, a lot of smart and knowledgeable people watch your content! I have also subscribed on Instagram and Facebook.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thank you so much John! Really appreciate the encouragement! Reach out any time, I love chatting about this stuff - great to meet you!

[@kunalmishra9463]

Something you didn't touch on, but which I feel compelled to mention: the grinder is actually *stepless*, which makes ultra-fine adjustments between stepped clicks doable. I got this as my first grinder and backed the 064S at the same time, thinking this would hold me over. I can't wait for the the less noisy and hopefully cleaner + possibly actually better grinding of the 064S, BUT the Encore ESP has punched well above it's weight and it's a perfect entry level grinder pairing for my Bambino.

[@dMGraymusic]

Wait, so you can go between steps with the esp? I just got one and I'm gonna do my first few grinds with it, so this would be great to know before I try it.

[@kunalmishra9463]

@@dMGraymusic yup, you can modify between steps. Just turn a bit finer or coarser, but don’t go a whole step and that can usually have a solid impact on flow rate & timing! Enjoy your Encore! A final pro tip - try grinding your weighed beans directly into your portafilter + dosing funnel, then give it a few smacks once it’s done to release any retention. That’s the part of the workflow I do miss a little with the Timemore!

[@ToddHassett]

Really enjoyed your review of the Encore ESP grinder! Any update on a DF54 review video? Or if you could just share your thoughts comparing the two grinders. I’m torn choosing between the two.

[@alexwilson27]

I’ve had a standard Encore for a while. If they’d had the ESP at the time I would have gotten that. But recently I upgraded to the M2 burr and now I can get a good espresso dial-in sometimes. Doesn’t work for every coffee but sometimes I get lucky and one of the big steps happens to work!

[@StephenEmmons-mx5yz]

Friendly correction: Pretty sure the regular Encore actually came with an M3 burr. I remember because I swapped mine out for the M2, and I thought it was an odd distinction.

[@Bayz0r]

Thanks for the great video. Like with every one of your videos that I've watched, it's extremely informative, and you have a great way of speaking and presenting things! I had one question that maybe you can answer: what would you say is the next level (or levels) up from this machine, budget-wise? I'm looking for something exactly like this, that does both espresso and filter reasonably well, accepting that it's going to be hard to to have one excel at both in the same machine (or if it does, dialing back and forth from espresso might be too annoying). I have watched all the reviews, the NZ, the DF, the Timemore, etc., and they all seem to come with their detractors and critics, so I was wondering what your take is. If you had say a $500 or $1000 budget, what would your upgrade to this machine be? Thanks!

[@12Gavv]

nice vid - thoughts on DF54? review of that?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Working on it!

[@hbr6545]

Is there any espresso focused eletrical grinder around 250€ that performs better than the Baratza ESP? Any suggestion?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

The next price point where you start to see some big changes is around 350 euros when you get into grinders like the Option O Casa and df64 (very different each with their own strengths). The DF54 would be an interesting option to consider but I have not tested it personally

[@tyom737]

Is it possible to grind very finely (to a powder) for turkish coffee?

[@MadScientist7]

I currently own the Baratza Virtuoso and waiting on 078s to arrive. Where does this esp rank compared to those to your opinion?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Its the same burr as in the virtuoso - so you're going to get a very similar taste profile but in an encore-level finish. I had a really rough experience with the 078s - I would say it produced superior results but was way more of a headache to dial in. I have noticed that not everyone who has received an 078s seems to share this experience (although many do). I'm not sure if this is some inconsistency in manufacturing, differences in pre-production versions sent to youtubers from the final production models or what.

[@brianmaltass7044]

@daddy got coffee - what is the espresso machine you are using?

[@LeticiaHernandez-fm7wc]

Hey there! I’m new to the espresso world. I enjoy watching your videos. I was hoping you could help. I just got a Giggia Classic pro and a baratza encore ESP Burr. Tools that I am using: 18 gram IMS baristapro nanotech precision ridgeless double portafilter basket Normcore 58.5mm Coffee tamper FusedLine Metal WDT tool. Coffee - Philz ( I bought the bag a week ago) I’ve tried every espresso setting wasting an entire bag of coffee! My coffee is coming out way too fast. I’ve tried 18grams, 16grams and 14grams dry. It doesn’t matter what setting I use on my Baratza, the coffee comes out way too fast. I get around 34 or more grams of coffee coming out in just 6 seconds. I’m beyond discouraged and about ready to send my entire setup back. I’m super disappointed. Wondering if you could give me any suggestions. I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much!

[@johnmpifer]

You’ve ground as fine as possible with the grinder and your shots are still coming through that fast?

[@LeticiaHernandez-fm7wc]

Yes. I was thinking it may be the coffee, but I just received my first bag of coffee from trade coffee and the same thing is happening. I've tried every ESP setting. Now I'm thinking maybe I received a faulty grinder, as it's brand new. I'll try another grinder. I really don't have many grinder options under $200. :/@@johnmpifer

[@billpayne9852]

To anyone reading this old post. As an ex barista my guess is tamping pressure.

[@danieldougan269]

I do have the Oxo grinder, and it's good for many things. But it is lacking when it comes to espresso. I do wish this had a portafilter fork. It just makes dosing easier.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

You’re in luck friend! It doesn’t come with it, but Google “baratza portaholder” 🔥💪

[@kunalmishra9463]

Also worth mentioning -- I've use a spouted portafilter and a dosing funnel... and it's kinda perfect to just toss the portafilter below where the dosing cup *would* go. 9/10 workflow, I get a little bit of grounds wafting to the side sometimes for no particular reason, and kinda wish it had a DF64-esque funnel for the grounds to pour down, but I get why it doesn't.

[@danieldougan269]

@DaddyGotCoffee I see that, but it says it fits the Maestro, Maestro Plus, and Virtuoso. Does it also fit the Encore ESP?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

@@danieldougan269 there are a couple different versions - here is one that fits the encore ☺️ www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-portaholder-encore-virtuoso-preciso

[@danieldougan269]

@@DaddyGotCoffee Thanks! I just ordered one. I got the Encore ESP last weekend as a birthday gift, and this will go nicely with it. My Oxo is listed on eBay!

[@DJForgeNC]

which would you say is louder? this or the df64 gen 2? not true db reading, but which one is the most pleasant to your ear lol

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Df64 gen 2 is WAY louder. But, it also is faster and without any rattling. My kids at least have a shot at sleeping through the baratza - even if slim. So I’d probably say it is the more pleasant of the two. 😂👌☕️

[@DJForgeNC]

@@DaddyGotCoffee word! thanks so much. i’m updating from an OG encore and have a df64 2 on order. can’t see myself paying to go louder smh.

[@scottmcdonald1819]

And probably ordering a grinder this week currently use a fellow gym 2 for filter but just got a steel Duo was planning on getting a DF 64 gen 2, but do you think this is good enough?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

@@scottmcdonald1819 an Encore ESP would definitely do the job, but you will almost certainly want to upgrade at a certain point. But, by the time you figure out your espresso preferences you may want to go in a different direction than the df64 - it’s always a real toss up with gear and comes down to how much you want to invest in your first round. That being said, the DF64 G2 is my top recc at its price point

[@Kongo0tto]

the entry level boss to all medium to darkroast drinkers

[@victordasilva5255]

200 dollars is entry level for a grinder….wowza

[@derred723]

Looks like it should be no more than $60. It looks like cheap plastic. I get that it does espresso but i agree with you on the counter appeal. As a plain old drip coffee drinker that's not knowledgable about high end espresso stuff. Aestetically it looks like the cheap plastic stuff from Target or off of no name brand Amazon.

[@mycharieamor]

It's the burr on the inside and it's an American company based out of Bellvue, WA.