Baratza Encore wearing out, needing a new grinder - Page 3
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Those are helpful thoughts.
The Reddit consensus is the 1ZPresso is much better than Encore, even with M2 burrs. It's a wider audience over there, but not always as intelligent (maybe thorough is a better descriptor).
The 1ZPresso Jx is "only" $130 dollars on Amazon. However I hate to buy something that makes little noticeable difference.
The Reddit consensus is the 1ZPresso is much better than Encore, even with M2 burrs. It's a wider audience over there, but not always as intelligent (maybe thorough is a better descriptor).
The 1ZPresso Jx is "only" $130 dollars on Amazon. However I hate to buy something that makes little noticeable difference.
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Actually if you look again at the video cited earlier by mikelipino, you'll note that the 1-Zpresso Plus and not the JX or JXPro is the grinder that compares to and at times exceeds the performance (grinding speed, % grinds in the "sweet spot" etc) of the C40...and it is less expensive. You might want to consider the Plus again before you decide which one to get.wormraper wrote:the more I listen, the more that seems like a logical choice. spend the $80 or so upgrading the baratza to "virtuoso" grind and get a commandante or the like for pourovers (which is where I'm having the most problems in terms of grind stuff).
is the Commandante worth that much over the IZ pro that's $169? I got ZERO problem spending more money on a more reliable or better quality product, just wanted to make sure the commandante was worth the dinero
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ahhh, the K-plus. Yeah that's MUCH closer to the commandante in price. I got the motor and the burrs on the way for my aging Baratza to revitalize it, so I'm still deciding on the hand grinder...although i'm getting hesitant on the Commandante simply because I've been reading a lot of people bitching about their QC lately (burrs going out of alignment, plastics etc)
- BuzzedLightyear
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I have both the encore with the upgraded m2 burr and the 1zpresso JXtennisman03110 wrote:Those are helpful thoughts.
The Reddit consensus is the 1ZPresso is much better than Encore, even with M2 burrs. It's a wider audience over there, but not always as intelligent (maybe thorough is a better descriptor).
The 1ZPresso Jx is "only" $130 dollars on Amazon. However I hate to buy something that makes little noticeable difference.
There is absolutely no comparison. The JX blows it out of the water when it comes to grind consistency and better tasting coffee. Plus I can hand grind just as quickly as the encore takes to grind the same amount of beans.
The Baratza encore is joke compared to the JX
Even my Izpresso travel Q2 blows away my encore in grind consistency
These hand grinders are even better then my Rancilio Rocky
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If you can find one, I've been using the Hario V60 Electric Grinder for everything but espresso for the last 5 years.
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Although I agree with you that the 1-Zpresso grinders produce better grind consistency (and finer grind adjustment) than the Encore, the OP did say that he really enjoyed the brewed coffee he made using it. Yes, it is a slow (and noisy) grinder and I can beat its time with my manual grinders, but that requires work, especially with light roasts. Some people, including those who enjoy hand grinding like myself, occasionally or often prefer to use an electric grinder. I still use my Encore and think it well worth the $135 I paid for it. and although it is not at all good for espresso, it grinds well enough to make a very drinkable cup of brewed coffee. Would a more expensive conical or flat burr grinder (electric or manual) be more "capable." No question. But the OP was quite happy for many years with his grinder. There may be lots of objective statistically derived "science" about coffee (as these forums attest), but it really comes down to what each coffee drinker (and not necessarily a statistical population) prefers. I remember drinking wonderful cups of coffee (Folgers pre-ground) boiled in a #10 can over campfires in the Sierras, coffee that would be considered drek by most folks on HB.com. De gustibus etc.BuzzedLightyear wrote:I have both the encore with the upgraded m2 burr and the 1zpresso JX
There is absolutely no comparison. The JX blows it out of the water when it comes to grind consistency and better tasting coffee. Plus I can hand grind just as quickly as the encore takes to grind the same amount of beans.
The Baratza encore is joke compared to the JX
Even my Izpresso travel Q2 blows away my encore in grind consistency
These hand grinders are even better then my Rancilio Rocky
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The OP did say they want an upgrade that's "worth it" for better coffee. If that's a manual machine, seems they'd be interested.
While I'm not the OP, I think I'm in a similar boat. And if I can get a manual grinder to supplement my Encore, I'd gladly put in the effort to get a better cup.
I'm personally leaning toward getting a new manual soon. Hold me over to a more expensive upgrade later on.
While I'm not the OP, I think I'm in a similar boat. And if I can get a manual grinder to supplement my Encore, I'd gladly put in the effort to get a better cup.
I'm personally leaning toward getting a new manual soon. Hold me over to a more expensive upgrade later on.
- BuzzedLightyear
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Pressino wrote:Although I agree with you that the 1-Zpresso grinders produce better grind consistency (and finer grind adjustment) than the Encore, the OP did say that he really enjoyed the brewed coffee he made using it. Yes, it is a slow (and noisy) grinder and I can beat its time with my manual grinders, but that requires work, especially with light roasts. Some people, including those who enjoy hand grinding like myself, occasionally or often prefer to use an electric grinder. I still use my Encore and think it well worth the $135 I paid for it. and although it is not at all good for espresso, it grinds well enough to make a very drinkable cup of brewed coffee. Would a more expensive conical or flat burr grinder (electric or manual) be more "capable." No question. But the OP was quite happy for many years with his grinder. There may be lots of objective statistically derived "science" about coffee (as these forums attest), but it really comes down to what each coffee drinker (and not necessarily a statistical population) prefers. I remember drinking wonderful cups of coffee (Folgers pre-ground) boiled in a #10 can over campfires in the Sierras, coffee that would be considered drek by most folks on HB.com. De gustibus etc.
We are all here for a better cup
I too was very impressed by the encore at one time....but now that I experienced other grinders. I think it's important to share that the Baratza encore is now obsolete and you can obtain way better coffee for less money.
Many of us here share the frustration of trying to pull a better shot or cup. So why not eliminate products out of the equation that has caused frustration for many. Especially the Baratza encore which many have spent lots of time trying to work for espresso. Only to realize it was an excercise in futility once they experienced a better grinder. Even for other brew methods such as V60, Aeropress, French press, etc...the encore (even with the m2 burr) will taste muddy and dull compared to better grinders on the market
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Of course you're right. The OP did say:
I don't want to waste money on a higher end grinder that does great with espresso, but only moderate with filter. I guess you could say I'm looking for the best bang for your buck upgrade from my encore to do better and more consistent grinds for filter, but not over pay for super fine grind settings I'll never use. At the same time I don't want to get just a tiny upgrade (if that's what the Virtuoso+ is) if say the Vario W+ with steel burrs is THAT much better for filtered coffee/pourovers too.
So it really depends on how much he's willing to spend on an "upgrade" and says doesn't want the upgrade to be "tiny." He specified $500 earlier and "tiny" will be in the eye of the beholder. "More consistent" is easy to characterize. "better" is less so. The 1-Zpressos mentioned satisfy the first requirement, but are manual and may be taxing to use to grind lighter roasts for moderate amounts of brewed coffee. An Ode or another Baratza like the Sette 70 would be well under the $500 mark and work a bit better than the Encore for consistency and adjustment. Also, the idea of upgrading the Encore with new motor and burrs is going to cost more than a new Encore. So it's really up to the OP.
I don't want to waste money on a higher end grinder that does great with espresso, but only moderate with filter. I guess you could say I'm looking for the best bang for your buck upgrade from my encore to do better and more consistent grinds for filter, but not over pay for super fine grind settings I'll never use. At the same time I don't want to get just a tiny upgrade (if that's what the Virtuoso+ is) if say the Vario W+ with steel burrs is THAT much better for filtered coffee/pourovers too.
So it really depends on how much he's willing to spend on an "upgrade" and says doesn't want the upgrade to be "tiny." He specified $500 earlier and "tiny" will be in the eye of the beholder. "More consistent" is easy to characterize. "better" is less so. The 1-Zpressos mentioned satisfy the first requirement, but are manual and may be taxing to use to grind lighter roasts for moderate amounts of brewed coffee. An Ode or another Baratza like the Sette 70 would be well under the $500 mark and work a bit better than the Encore for consistency and adjustment. Also, the idea of upgrading the Encore with new motor and burrs is going to cost more than a new Encore. So it's really up to the OP.
- baldheadracing
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$500 for pourover? Taste is subjective, but I use an Orphan Espresso Apex.
-"Good quality brings happiness as you use it" - Nobuho Miya, Kamasada