Any Baratza Coffee Grinder Owners Here???

[seagiant]

Hi,
Going back to Whole Bean Coffee,for my Mocha Pot, Cafe Con Leche, habit...

Decided to up my Game with a real "Burr" Grinder instead of a slicer or chopper, so to speak!

After days of looking seems the best budget real Grinder, was the Baratza Encore Grinder for $150 new...

Did not want to spend that much so bought a used one needing work for $50 shipped!

Turns out the Seller had taken it apart and did not put it back together right.

Tore it down and cleaned it, put it back together (correctly) and it runs like a Champ!

Baratza, fully supports their Grinders, with parts and even Vids on how to repair them!

Just wondering if any Baratza Owners here???

 

[Spindifferent]

I've owned the same model for many years now and it has been fantastic and trouble-free. Have experimented with different grind sizes and now have them dialed-in for cold brew, drip, and espresso. Worth every penny, new or used!

 

[Tchicken]

I've had an Encore for longer than I can remember, so I don't owe it anything. If this one croaks I'll likely just search around for the best price, then buy another .. I use the same grind size for pour over (normal) or Sunday special percolator coffee

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Thanks, I forgot to mention, my used Grinder, was missing a couple of small parts...

A Detent that gives you the "click", when you change the grind setting and a Grommet Sleeve for one of the motor assembly bolts...

Called Baratza and they are sending them for free!

Not that expensive, but good of them!

 

[PCustoms]

What's so special about these?

I have a Cuisinart burr grinder. Only complaint is fresh, oily beans tend to clog it up. About once a month I blow it out with compressed air

 

[seagiant]

What's so special about these?

I have a Cuisinart burr grinder. Only complaint is fresh, oily beans tend to clog it up. About once a month I blow it out with compressed air

Hi,
Thanks, from my research, the Encore is considered the best bang for the buck, real Burr Grinder...

That includes, quality of build, repair ability, parts availability, customer service, and support!

Baratza, will also completely rebuild these if wanted or needed...

With ALL of that going for it, I went with it!

It can also be upgraded with a set of newer improved Burrs, but...

Won't be doing that with mine as the originals work fine for me, using my Moka Pots...

 

[seagiant]

https://www.seriouseats.com/baratza-encore-review-11780164

 

[johnre]

Originally had a Baratza Virtuoso; after ten years I replaced it with a Baratza Virtuoso+. They do need regular replacement parts when used daily.

 

[70chevellegsp]

Have had a Preciso for 10-15 years that got me into my espresso journey. It has worked very well and is on 'brew' duty now as I stepped up to a better espresso grinder. It did a good job on espresso, but really shines for french press & drip. I've also purchased an Encore for my daughter. They are very good, reasonably priced grinders that are also very serviceable.

 

[PCustoms]

Hi,
Thanks, from my research, the Encore is considered the best bang for the buck, real Burr Grinder...

That includes, quality of build, repair ability, parts availability, customer service, and support!

Baratza, will also completely rebuild these if wanted or needed...

With ALL of that going for it, I went with it!

It can also be upgraded with a set of newer improved Burrs, but...

Won't be doing that with mine as the originals work fine for me, using my Moka Pots...

So other then parts/service I really don't see how it grinds the beans any different?

 

[seagiant]

So other then parts/service I really don't see how it grinds the beans any different?

Hi,
You have a well liked, real Burr Grinder, so I see no problem. (my opinion)

I looked at the Cuisinart also, and as I said it is very well regarded.

I just like to be able to work on things myself, and like Baratza's philosophy of repair it, instead of pitch it!

The Encore, can also be upgraded, if wanted!

 

[GeoBruin]

I have one, and while it has worked well for years, I swear it somehow gets more grounds outside the little cup than in it. My entire countertop gets covers in the stuff. I think it must have to do with static electricity.

I bought the Cuisinart for the country house and one thing I like better about it is the ability to set how long it grinds and then it shuts itself off. That means I can walk away and come back rather than having to stand there waiting for it to do it's thing. But the best thing about the Cuisinart is how much quieter it is. I can grind coffee before the kids are awake and no one is the wiser. The encore is loud!

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
As a sort of "After Action Report"...

I bought some Jamaican Medium Roast Beans, and ground them at a coarser 10 setting on the Baratza...

This is more optimum for Mocha Pot, as the water pressure is much lower than a higher pressure Expresso Machine... (finer grind)

Made an improvement, the coffee is less bitter, and taste better, even Wifey likes it, so that always helps...

Just sayin, cheaper, better tasting, I'll call this one a win!

 

[rsparks64]

I have never had a burr grinder and when younger wanted one but couldn’t justify the cost (wife would have had a cow too). I have however had better coffee makers. My favorite was my Norwegian made Wilfa. It lasted about 11 or 12 years and was the best coffee maker I have ever had. I am older and retired now and drink much less coffee and my current pot is a very simple Zojirushi which is also a very good coffee maker (i.e., proper temperature and brew time). I use a Krups grinder and have purchased Peet’s coffee for years and love the dark oily roasts.

 

[Psiber]

I've had an Encore for about 10 years, love it. The only issue we have had is there is a plastic impeller thing that forces the ground coffee out. If you grind a lot of very oily beans you have to stay on top of cleaning the output hole with the little brush it comes with. We upgraded the burrs, and honestly it doesn't make a big difference in the grind, but it did seem quieter and there's an updated seal (at least for our generation there was) that I think was part of the burr upgrade and it helped with the leakage.

Best tip I found for keeping the coutertop clean is a 1/8 sheet size cookie sheet. It's not much bigger than the grinder and contains the wild grounds well. It was just a few bucks at Walmart. Buy two if you have a toaster oven, they're the perfect size for that too.

 

[seagiant]

I have never had a burr grinder and when younger wanted one but couldn’t justify the cost (wife would have had a cow too). I have however had better coffee makers. My favorite was my Norwegian made Wilfa. It lasted about 11 or 12 years and was the best coffee maker I have ever had. I am older and retired now and drink much less coffee and my current pot is a very simple Zojirushi which is also a very good coffee maker (i.e., proper temperature and brew time). I use a Krups grinder and have purchased Peet’s coffee for years and love the dark oily roasts.

Hi,
As long as you are happy, that is all that matters...

I think you can go down the "Coffee Rabbit Hole", as far as you want!

 

[seagiant]

I've had an Encore for about 10 years, love it. The only issue we have had is there is a plastic impeller thing that forces the ground coffee out. If you grind a lot of very oily beans you have to stay on top of cleaning the output hole with the little brush it comes with. We upgraded the burrs, and honestly it doesn't make a big difference in the grind, but it did seem quieter and there's an updated seal (at least for our generation there was) that I think was part of the burr upgrade and it helped with the leakage.

Best tip I found for keeping the coutertop clean is a 1/8 sheet size cookie sheet. It's not much bigger than the grinder and contains the wild grounds well. It was just a few bucks at Walmart. Buy two if you have a toaster oven, they're the perfect size for that too.

Hi,
Thanks, good info, but not seeing the mess problem yet with mine, but...

Looked at the Burr Upgrade and don't see any reason at this time, to do it...

Very happy with the grind, I'm getting!