In the world of specialty coffee, a quality burr grinder is one of the most important tools in a home barista’s arsenal. The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder stands out as a highly respected entry-level grinder designed for home use. Whether you brew with a French press, pour-over, AeroPress, or drip machine, the Encore delivers consistent grinds across a wide range of brewing styles.
This review dives into the Encore’s features, design, grind performance, and pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s the right choice for your daily coffee ritual.
📦 Key Features and Specifications
- Grind Type: Conical burr grinder
- Burr Material: Hardened alloy steel
- Grind Settings: 40 grind size adjustments
- Grinding Speed: 0.8 to 1.1 g/sec
- Motor: High torque DC motor with gear and thermal overload protection
- Hopper Capacity: 8 ounces
- Ground Bin Capacity: 5 ounces
- Weight: Approximately 7 pounds
- Dimensions: 12″ x 6″ x 8″ (H x W x D)
- Interface: Manual on/off switch and pulse button
🧱 Build Quality and Design
The Baratza Encore sports a simple, utilitarian design that favors function over flashy aesthetics. It features a compact footprint that easily fits under most kitchen cabinets. The casing is made of a durable plastic polymer, which keeps the unit lightweight but still sturdy for daily use.
Available in both black and white, the Encore blends well in any kitchen or brewing station setup. Its minimalist design includes a front-mounted pulse button, ideal for controlled manual grinding, and a side-mounted power switch that toggles grinding with ease.
The bean hopper on top is clear and can hold up to 8 ounces of beans. Below, a see-through grounds container collects the coffee with minimal static cling, helping keep cleanup manageable.
⚙️ Burrs and Grind Consistency
At the heart of the Encore is its 40mm stainless steel conical burr set. These burrs are engineered to offer a consistent grind that enhances flavor extraction. Whether you’re grinding coarse for cold brew or medium-fine for pour-over, the Encore provides uniform particle size, which is crucial for balanced flavor and aroma.
The grind consistency shines across popular brew methods:
- Coarse (settings 30–40): Excellent for French press or cold brew
- Medium (settings 15–29): Great for drip, AeroPress, or Chemex
- Medium-fine to fine (settings 5–14): Suitable for pour-over and Moka pot
- Espresso (settings 1–4): Achievable for pressurized portafilters, though not ideal for high-end espresso machines
What sets the Encore apart from blade grinders or low-end burr models is the low grind retention and even particle distribution. You’ll notice fewer fines and dust at coarser settings, which leads to a cleaner, more flavorful cup.
🔧 Ease of Use
The Baratza Encore is widely praised for its user-friendly interface. There are no complex settings or digital screens to navigate. Simply fill the hopper with beans, choose a grind size using the numbered dial, and either flip the power switch or press the pulse button for manual control.
Switching between grind sizes is smooth and tactile. The hopper clicks firmly into place at each number, making it easy to replicate settings once you find your ideal brew ratio.
Cleaning is equally straightforward. The hopper and top burr are removable without tools, and Baratza provides instructional resources and customer support for deep cleaning when needed.
⚡ Motor and Noise Level
The Encore is equipped with a powerful, high-torque DC motor that turns slowly and quietly. This low RPM operation reduces heat buildup during grinding, which helps preserve the flavor compounds in your coffee.
Though not silent, the noise level is moderate for a burr grinder in its class. The smooth operation is ideal for early-morning brewing without disturbing the whole household.
The built-in thermal cutoff protects the motor from overheating, especially useful for longer grind sessions or back-to-back use.
🧪 Performance Across Brew Methods
Here’s a breakdown of how the Baratza Encore performs for different brewing styles:
1. French Press / Cold Brew
The Encore excels with coarser grinds. The resulting coffee is full-bodied with minimal sludge, thanks to its consistent grind size. Settings between 30 and 40 are recommended for immersion-style brewing.
2. Drip Coffee Makers
For everyday drip machines, the grinder hits the sweet spot. Settings between 18 and 25 provide a medium grind that balances flavor clarity and strength. It’s a noticeable upgrade from pre-ground supermarket coffee.
3. Pour-Over
From Hario V60 to Chemex, the Encore offers control over grind size to fine-tune extraction. You can easily adjust based on brew time and water flow, resulting in cleaner, brighter cups.
4. Espresso
While not specifically designed for espresso, the Encore can produce a reasonably fine grind suitable for beginner-level espresso machines with pressurized baskets. However, for high-end espresso setups, a dedicated espresso grinder is recommended.
✅ Pros
- Wide Grind Range: 40 settings for full brewing flexibility
- Consistent Grind Quality: Conical burrs offer superior uniformity over blade grinders
- User-Friendly Design: Simple controls and easy cleaning
- Compact Footprint: Small enough for most kitchen counters
- Durable and Reliable: Long-lasting build and replaceable parts
- Respected Brand Support: Excellent customer service and availability of spare parts
- Affordable Entry into Specialty Coffee: Perfect for beginners and intermediates
❌ Cons
- No Timer or Dose Control: Lacks advanced features like timed dosing or weight-based grinding
- Not Ideal for True Espresso: Limited fine grind range for non-pressurized portafilters
- Plastic Construction: While durable, some users may prefer a more premium feel
- Loud at Times: Not the quietest grinder, especially at coarse settings
- Grounds Container Static: Occasional static cling can cause minor mess when transferring grounds
👤 Who Is This Grinder Best For?
The Baratza Encore is best suited for:
- Beginner to intermediate coffee drinkers seeking consistent grind quality
- Manual brewing enthusiasts who use French press, pour-over, AeroPress, or drip
- Home users looking for an affordable yet reliable burr grinder
- Anyone upgrading from a blade grinder or pre-ground coffee
- People who value customer support and easy part replacements
It may not be the best choice for:
- Espresso aficionados using non-pressurized portafilters
- Users who want digital dosing, grind timers, or Bluetooth connectivity
- Professional baristas or high-volume needs
🧼 Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the Encore is a straightforward process:
- Weekly: Brush out loose grounds from the burr chamber
- Monthly: Remove the hopper and upper burr for deeper cleaning
- Every Few Months: Use grinder cleaning tablets for internal oils and residue
- Long-Term: Replace burrs after 500–1000 pounds of use for best results
Thanks to Baratza’s open design and replacement part availability, maintenance is simple and cost-effective.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder delivers everything a home coffee enthusiast could want—consistency, flexibility, and simplicity in a compact, approachable package.
Its wide range of grind settings covers nearly every brewing method, while the quality of the burrs ensures uniform extraction and better-tasting coffee. Despite its basic features, it performs exceptionally well and remains one of the best entry-level grinders on the market.