The Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK, Black is worth considering at $199.95 if you need one grinder for espresso and brewed coffee, but its lack of a timer and reported coarse-grind fines limit its appeal. The Baratza Encore ESP offers settings, tool-free burr access, and a one-year warranty, although the supplied sources provide opinions and specifications rather than independent hands-on testing for this review.
- The grinder has numbered settings, with 1–20 for espresso and 21–40 for coarser brewing.
- The burrs are mm M2 stainless steel conical burrs.
- The bean hopper is listed at ounces or grams, while another source gives approximately grams.
- Amazon lists the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK, Black at $199.95 and as In Stock.
- The manufacturer’s warranty is one year, covering parts and labor for defects in materials and workmanship.
What is the Baratza Encore ESP, and how does it differ from the original Encore?
The Baratza Encore ESP is a multi-purpose grinder designed for espresso and brewed coffee. The original Encore’s main shortcoming, according to CoffeeGeek, was its inability to produce a good espresso grind. The Baratza Encore ESP addresses that distinction with Etzinger’s M2 burr set, which CoffeeGeek describes as more refined for espresso than the original Encore’s burr setup.
The Baratza Encore ESP is also calibrated finer than the original Encore, which was tuned for drip and filter brewing. That makes the newer model the more relevant option if espresso is part of your routine, while the original Encore’s stated design emphasis was coarser brewed coffee. The supplied material provides reviewer opinions and specifications rather than independent hands-on testing for this article, so these performance descriptions should be read as source-reported findings rather than our own test results.
Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK, Black
$199.95
In Stock
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How many grind settings does the Baratza Encore ESP offer?
The Baratza Encore ESP offers numbered grind settings. Settings 1–20 form the espresso range, while settings 21–40 cover the coarser filter range. The Baratza Encore ESP uses finer 9-micron adjustment steps below setting and 45-micron steps above it.
The manufacturer listing describes positions 1–20 as micro-steps for higher-resolution espresso grinding and positions 21–40 as macro-steps for filter brewing. Another source identifies settings 5–12 as espresso settings and 30–40 as the coarse drip and cold brew range. These labels give you useful starting points, but the supplied sources do not provide a complete recipe for every coffee, dose, or brewing method.
What are the Baratza Encore ESP’s burrs, capacity, dimensions, and price?
The Baratza Encore ESP uses mm M2 stainless steel conical burrs. One source says the burrs are manufactured in Europe, while another specifies Liechtenstein, so the supplied wording differs on that point. The Baratza Encore ESP hopper is listed at ounces, or grams, although another source gives approximately grams.
The Baratza Encore ESP measures 13.8 x 4.7 x 6.3 inches according to one source. Another lists a 6.2-inch height, 4.7-inch width, and 6.2-inch depth, so you should allow for that discrepancy when checking counter space. Amazon lists the product-page price at $199.95 and reports it as In Stock. Supplied retailer listings show $200.00 and approximately $180, meaning prices vary by source.
How noisy is the Baratza Encore ESP compared with the original Encore and entry-level grinders?
The Baratza Encore ESP was found by one reviewer to run quieter and faster than the original Encore. That review reported a maximum reading of 80.5 on a phone decibel-meter app, but the figure comes from the source’s review rather than independent testing for this article. The Baratza Encore ESP’s burr rotation speed is listed as RPM.
The Baratza Encore ESP’s slow motor is described by one source as contributing to cool, quieter operation. Another opinion characterizes its noise as moderate but says it is louder than flat-burr grinders with AC motors. The available evidence does not support a definitive ranking against all entry-level grinders because no broader standardized noise test is provided. You can reasonably treat the grinder as quieter than the original Encore according to the cited reviewer, not as universally quiet.
How do you clean the Baratza Encore ESP, and how often should you do it?
The Baratza Encore ESP has burrs that can be removed without tools for cleaning. To remove the rotating cone burr, turn the knurled knob on top counterclockwise, after which the grinder can be deep-cleaned. The Baratza Encore ESP also includes a cleaning brush for removing stubborn buildup.
For routine brushing, remove the hopper, lift out the top burr, and brush residual grounds from the burr chamber. One source recommends brushing the burrs weekly depending on use, while another recommends weekly burr-chamber brushing and monthly Grindz-tablet cleaning for daily use. Removable parts such as the bean container and grounds bin should be rinsed by hand and dried completely before reuse. These intervals are source recommendations, not measurements of how quickly residue accumulates.
How does the Baratza Encore ESP perform for espresso and brewed coffee?
The Baratza Encore ESP is described by CoffeeGeek as producing excellent, uniform grinds for siphon, pour-over, and auto-drip coffee. CoffeeGeek measured a peak pour-over grinding speed of 2.3 grams per second. Another reviewer found the Baratza Encore ESP consistent at the finer end of its range, and a later review reports consistent particle size at espresso settings with quick dialing-in.
The Baratza Encore ESP has important limits at coarse settings: CoffeeGeek says distribution deteriorates for Chemex and press-pot brewing because the grinder produces many fines. CoffeeGeek also identifies the lack of a timer as its biggest failing. Another reviewer calls the dosing setup awkward, and a user reports that the stepped system does not allow micro-adjustments beyond its settings. You may prefer another grinder if you need a timer, dosing function, true micro-adjustments, or especially clean coarse-grind distribution.
What accessories, replacement parts, and warranty support does the Baratza Encore ESP have?
The Baratza Encore ESP includes a mm anti-static dosing cup and a mm adapter for larger portafilters. The dosing cup is designed to fit mm baskets directly or mm baskets with the included adapter. The Baratza Encore ESP accessory list also includes a user manual, grounds container with lid, dosing cup, and cleaning brush.
The Baratza Encore ESP has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. The stated grinder warranty covers one year of parts and labor for defects in materials and workmanship. The supplied sources do not provide a specific compatibility list for replacement burrs, bins, hoppers, or other replacement parts, so compatibility for those items is unknown from the available evidence. That matters if you are choosing a grinder partly on long-term parts availability.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The grinder is designed for both espresso and brewed coffee.
- It provides settings, with 1–20 calibrated for espresso and 21–40 for coarser brewing.
- The mm M2 stainless steel conical burrs are described as more refined for espresso than the original Encore’s burr setup.
- The burrs can be removed without tools, simplifying cleaning.
- The package includes a mm dosing cup and a mm adapter.
Cons
- The grinder has no timer, which CoffeeGeek identifies as its biggest failing.
- CoffeeGeek reports deteriorating grind distribution and many fines at coarse settings for Chemex and press-pot brewing.
- A reviewer describes the dosing setup as awkward.
- A user reports that the stepped system does not allow micro-adjustments.
- The supplied sources do not provide a specific compatibility list for replacement burrs, bins, hoppers, or other replacement parts.
Final Verdict
| Source | Listed price |
|---|---|
| clivecoffee.com | $200.00 |
| homebarlabs.com | approximately $180 |
| amazon.com | $199.95 |
Key Takeaways
- Choose the grinder if you want one stepped system covering espresso through filter brewing.
- Use settings 1–20 for espresso and 21–40 for filter brewing, with smaller adjustment steps in the espresso range.
- Expect source-reported strengths in finer grinding, but note the reported fines at coarse settings.
- Plan for manual dosing because the grinder has no timer and its dosing setup has been criticized as awkward.
- Clean the burr chamber weekly for daily use and use monthly Grindz-tablet cleaning according to the cited recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the grind size range of the Baratza Encore?
The Baratza Encore ESP offers numbered settings, with settings 1–20 forming the espresso range and 21–40 covering coarser brewing.
Is Baratza Encore ESP noisy?
The Baratza Encore ESP was reported to run quieter than the original Encore, while another source describes its noise as moderate and louder than flat-burr grinders with AC motors.
How do you clean a Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder?
Remove the hopper, lift out the top burr, and brush residual grounds from the burr chamber; the burrs can be removed without tools. One source recommends weekly brushing depending on use.
Can you provide a review of the Baratza Encore coffee grinder?
The Baratza Encore ESP is reported to produce excellent, uniform grinds for siphon, pour-over, and auto-drip coffee, but it has no timer and can produce many fines at coarse settings.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
