Baratza Encore Review: The Best Electric Grinder for Beginners

The Baratza Encore was my first big boy grinder. I bought it as an upgrade to a budget Cuisinart coffee grinder I bought at Kohl’s because I felt underwhelmed by the coffee I was making. The Encore delivered immediately. Comparing the coffee I made with the Encore to what I was getting with the Cuisinart was like comparing night and day.

A good grinder is the most important part of an at-home coffee set up, in my opinion. In this guide, I’ll explain why the Baratza Encore is my choice for the best beginner coffee grinder. I’ll explain why I think it’s so good, what it’s shortcomings are, and discuss why it outshines other grinders that often get recommended to beginners.

At a Glance

The Baratza Encore boasts an impressive array of features that make it an ideal grinder for beginners. With 40 grind settings, it offers the flexibility to dial in your grind size for various brewing methods. The consistency of the grind is remarkable, as long as you stick to the middle of the range. It can handle everything from pour-over to French press, but it can’t quite get fine enough for espresso or coarse enough for cold brew.

The Encore is loud — very loud. Loud enough that you can’t use it if anyone is sleeping anywhere in your house, unless your house is big enough to come with a butler.

Key Features

The following sections break down the features that make the Encore stand out from other beginner-friendly grinders.

40 Grind Settings

One of the standout features of the Baratza Encore is its 40 grind settings. This wide range allows you to precisely adjust the grind size to suit your preferred brewing method. Whether you’re making pour-over, French press, or (maybe) cold brew, the Encore has you covered. The ability to fine-tune your grind is crucial for achieving optimal flavor extraction and crafting the perfect cup of coffee.

The Encore does not do well at the fine end of its range, so you won’t get good results using it to grind for espresso. I’ve successfully used it to make reasonably convincing faux-espresso in an AeroPress though. 

Adjusting the Encore is very easy. All you have to do is rotate the hopper. The grind settings are written around the bottom edge of the hopper and are easy to read.

Consistent Grind Quality

Consistency is key when it comes to grinding coffee, and the Encore delivers in spades. Its 40mm conical burrs, made of durable stainless steel, ensure a uniform particle size distribution. This means that each ground coffee particle is similar in size, resulting in even extraction and a well-balanced flavor profile.

The Encore’s consistency is a testament to Baratza’s commitment to quality and attention to detail, especially at this price point. To get a more consistent grind than the Encore can give you requires going up a tier in price if you want an electric grinder. You could also spend a comparable amount on a hand grinder, which will improve your grind quality at the expense of some elbow grease.

If you’re a diehard espresso enthusiast or make cold brew all the time, the Encore is not the best choice for you. But if you stick mostly in the AeroPress, pour-over, and French press zone, the Encore delivers.

User-Friendly Design

The Baratza Encore is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. Its straightforward controls and intuitive interface make it a breeze to operate, even for those new to grinding their own coffee. It doesn’t have any confusing dials or unnecessary screens. All you have to do is choose your grind setting and turn the knob to start the grinder.

The front-mounted pulse button allows for quick and effortless grinding, while the on/off switch is conveniently located on the side. This sounds like a throwaway feature, but it’s actually very useful. I use it all the time to make sure that there aren’t any beans left in the hopper since sometimes they get stuck during the main grind.

The Encore’s compact footprint also makes it a great fit for most kitchen countertops. It is pretty tall, though, so you might have trouble squeezing it under your cabinets, depending on how low they are. The dimensions of the Baratza Encore are 13 x 15 x 34 cm (W x D x H).

Easy to Clean

No one enjoys cleaning their coffee grinder, but it’s essential for your grinder’s performance and longevity. The Encore’s thoughtful design makes cleaning a simple task. It’s one of the reasons I still have it even though I have several “better” grinders now. It’s one of the easiest grinders to clean that I’ve ever used.

The removable hopper and grounds bin allow for easy access to the burrs and interior components. You can get away without taking the grinder apart for at least four to six weeks since it’s so easy to reach into the grinder for a quick cleaning.

The Encore comes with a brush to help sweep away any residual coffee grounds. It’s not the best brush in the world, but it gets the job done. I use a paintbrush that I bought for a dollar at my local art supply store. I like the wider bristles and think it does a better job than the brush the Encore comes with.

Baratza’s World-Class Support

One of the reasons I love Baratza as a company is its exceptional customer support. When you invest in a Baratza Encore, you’re not just buying a grinder; you’re gaining access to a team of knowledgeable and responsive professionals who are dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction.

If you ever encounter an issue with your Encore, Baratza makes it incredibly easy to get replacement parts. Their website offers a comprehensive selection of parts and accessories, along with step-by-step guides and videos to help you with the repair process. Whether you need to replace the burrs, the hopper, or any other component, Baratza has you covered.

In the rare event that you can’t find the solution you need online, Baratza’s customer support team is just an email or phone call away. They are known for their prompt and helpful responses, walking you through any challenges you may face.

This level of support is invaluable, especially for beginners who may be navigating the world of home coffee grinding for the first time. Knowing that you can get help if you run into any issues gives you the peace of mind you need to experiment. You don’t have to be afraid to take your grinder apart to clean it when you know you can get help directly from the manufacturer if something goes wrong.

The Encore is a Grinder You Can Grow Into

One of the most compelling reasons to choose the Baratza Encore as your first grinder is its upgradeability. As your coffee knowledge and preferences evolve, the Encore can grow with you.

Baratza offers an upgrade path that allows you to enhance your Encore’s performance by replacing the standard burr set with their M2 cone burr. The M2 burr set is the one used on Baratza’s higher end grinders, the Virtuoso and the Precise. This upgrade transforms your Encore into a grinder capable of producing even finer and more consistent grinds, opening up new possibilities for your coffee exploration.

The process of upgrading your Encore’s burr set is surprisingly simple. You can order the M2 burr directly from Baratza’s website, and it comes with detailed instructions for installation. The upgrade typically takes less than 30 minutes, and Baratza’s customer support is always available to guide you through the process if needed.

The beauty of this upgradeability is that it allows you to start with an affordable, high-quality grinder and then invest in its improvement over time. Rather than buying a new, more expensive grinder when you’re ready to take your coffee to the next level, you can simply upgrade your trusty Encore. This approach can save you a significant amount of money in the long run while still providing you with the tools you need to brew exceptional coffee.

With that said, I still use my Lido 3 much more often than my upgraded Baratza Encore. I think the Lido 3 edges out the M2 for grind quality and consistency for pour-over, which is my daily driver brew method. I also don’t mind grinding my coffee by hand, so your mileage may vary, depending on your tolerance for a forearm workout first thing in the morning.

Comparison to other Beginner Grinders

The Baratza Encore compares favorably to the other most popular beginner grinders. Here’s how it stacks up against other entry-level grinders.

Hario Skerton Plus

The Hario Skerton Plus is a manual grinder that has gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts. While it offers decent grind consistency and a lower price point, it requires manual labor to operate. The Encore’s electric motor and consistent performance make it a more convenient and efficient choice for daily use.

The Skerton is much cheaper than the Encore, but you get what you pay for. Its grind size distribution is much wider than the Encore’s, which reduces clarity and makes for muddy-tasting coffee. 

Capresso Infinity

The Capresso Infinity is another electric grinder in the entry-level market. While it boasts similar features to the Encore, such as multiple grind settings and durable conical burrs, the Encore’s superior build quality and Baratza’s exceptional customer support give it the edge. The Encore’s ease of cleaning and upgradeability also set it apart from the Infinity.

Most importantly, the Encore beats the Inifinity in grind quality and consistency. The Infinity produces a lot of fines, so I don’t recommend the Infinity unless you’re willing to do the paper towel trick after every grind. That’s a huge hassle, especially when you consider that the Infinity and Encore sit at a similar price point.

One thing the Infinity has going for it over the Encore is noise. The Infinity is much quieter than the Encore, so it’s less likely to disturb the early morning peace in your house. However, if noise is one of your primary concerns, I think you’re money would be better spent on a high-quality hand grinder.

Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a feature-rich electric grinder that offers a wide range of grind settings. However, it comes at a higher price point than the Encore. While the Smart Grinder Pro has some advanced features, such as dose control and a digital display, the Encore’s simplicity and consistency make it a more approachable option for beginners.

I may be a bit biased against the Breville Smart Grinder Pro because I don’t usually go for bells and whistles. If you’re the kind of coffee person that likes having screens and knobs to turn, you might love it. Keep in mind that it is pretty expensive, and it might be overwhelming for a beginner.

Wrapping Up

I admit that I have a soft spot for the Baratza Encore since it was my first serious grinder, but it is objectively an outstanding choice for anyone looking to dive deeper into the world of home coffee. Its combination of quality, consistency, ease of use, and upgradeability make it the best electric grinder for beginners. And it’s relatively affordable, even though it’s a bit more expensive than the cheap grinders you can find in department stores.

With 40 grind settings, durable construction, and user-friendly design, the Encore provides the tools you need to explore a wide range of brewing methods and unlock the full potential of your coffee beans. Baratza’s exceptional customer support and upgrade options ensure that your Encore will be a reliable companion on your coffee journey for years to come.

FAQs

Is the Baratza Encore suitable for espresso?

While the Encore can grind fine enough for espresso with its standard burr set, it may not provide the level of precision and consistency required for optimal espresso extraction. However, upgrading to the M2 cone burr can significantly improve its espresso grinding capabilities.

How often should I clean my Baratza Encore?

It’s recommended to clean your Encore every few months, or more frequently if you use it heavily. Regular cleaning helps maintain grind consistency and prevents the buildup of stale coffee oils that can negatively impact flavor. I brush out my Encore after every use and take it apart to do a deeper cleaning every two months or so.

Can I grind spices or nuts with the Baratza Encore?

While the Encore is designed specifically for coffee grinding, some users have successfully used it to grind spices and nuts. However, it’s essential to thoroughly clean the grinder after such use to avoid flavor contamination in your coffee. I do not recommend using your Encore to grind anything besides coffee. You run the risk of affecting your coffee’s flavor if you don’t clean it well enough, and some harder nuts could jam the motor and damage the grinder.

How long does the Baratza Encore typically last?

With proper care and maintenance, the Baratza Encore can last for many years. Baratza’s durable construction and readily available replacement parts ensure that your grinder can withstand daily use and be easily repaired if needed. I’ve had my Encore for almost 10 years and, while I don’t use it as much as I used to, it’s still going strong.

Can I grind coffee directly into a portafilter with the Baratza Encore?

The Encore does not have a built-in portafilter holder, but you can easily grind coffee into the included grounds bin and then transfer it to your portafilter. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate portafilter holder accessory from Baratza to streamline the process. However, the Encore does not perform well in the espresso grind range, so I don’t recommend using it for espresso anyway.