I've read a few forum threads where the OP is going to "upgrade" their Encore cone burr to the Preciso burr. Apparently they're interchangeable. But, none of the OP's ever follow up with results, such as telling us if the grind is more uniform and has less fines, or better tasting espresso/brew.

1st question: If anyone has done this conversion, what has your experience been?

2nd: When did you purchase your Encore? I gather from old posts that the cone burr was different from the Encore I purchased a few months ago (6 months?). Reason I ask is that I'm interested in this upgrade, but that both the Encore and Preciso cone burrs look VERY similar on Baratza's website. How much of a jump in quality is actually there?

This is the Encore cone burr
http://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce ... n&key=6173


This is the Preciso cone burr
http://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce ... n&key=6175


To qualify this post, I have already calibrated my Encore so that it grinds a proper espresso grind. I get good extractions as it is, but I do notice mild channeling out of my naked PF.

~Matt

I've done it!

It's worth doing for the jump in quality for your V60 brews (less fines, less clog, faster flow rates), however, if you are expecting it to work for espresso, YMMV. I ended up getting a Mazzer Super Jolly (well technically it's for the school but it's parked in my kitchen now) and the shot is much more consistent without WDTing.

Installation-wise, it is not as easy as Baratza made it to be. I dismantled the grinder and removed the gearbox but I can't get the locking pin out and hence remove the drive shaft. What finally happened was, in the midst of gripping the burr and the locking pin, the burr got turned loose. Then I just put on the Preciso burr and reassembled it.

Because the burr was tightened by hand, it ended up sitting a little higher, thus making the grind finer. The difference is about 6 notches.

Good luck if you ever decide to go that route! FWIW I am glad I did it.

I have also changed the cone burrs in my Encore. If you have both of the burrs in front of you there is a clear difference in how they look. I bought my Encore within the last year but saw too many fines in my press pot and aeropress (I don't use it for espresso). When I swapped the burrs I saw less fines. I would do it again. It also sounded different when grinding the beans. YMMV.

dilin,

Thanks for the info! I also got a response at coffee geek telling me that I should do it too. Even though my MMV, at $35 its not much of a risk. Its weird to see that such a subtle difference in burr design can make that much of an impact in grind quality.

ritternathan, is your Encore quieter by any chance?

Hey Matt,

I also did the swap (maybe 3 weeks after buying my Encore summer of 2014). Unfortunately, the comparisons I could draw between burrs would be limited since I didn't have much time testing things before the swap. Like you said, $35 is a small investment for an upgrade in flavor. How big of an upgrade? Again, hard to objectively say, but, it's worth noting perhaps that the two differences between the Encore and Virtuoso are the cone burr and the casing. All other internals are the same. And the virtuoso costs $100 more. That's not me ragging on Baratza either. For one (and to address the noise issue), that casing definitely cuts down on the noise and of course looks more stylish than the all-plastic Encore. But, it's really to say that although the part is only $35 (and $20 more than the standard Encore burr?), it's a big enough jump for them to use that Preciso burr in both of their 'upper level' conical grinders.

If you're already using the Encore for espresso (in addition to filter), I could only imagine you'll be pleased by the swap. I never used the standard burr for espresso, but do use the Preciso and get acceptable results (for now ) If you truly want to deal with the noise, maybe you can sell your Encore and look for a refurb Virtuoso...Or, just be ready to pounce on the Precisos once the Sette ships...since the Preciso is going to be discontinued, maybe it'll be discounted soon?

For me, I stuck with the body of the Encore, made the swap, and hope one day soon to use it solely as a great filter grinder and get a dedicated espresso grinder. If you do the swap, like others have said, it can be a bit challenging, so watch Baratza's videos, take your time, and make sure you have the tools you need. Good luck!

Just want to agree w previous posters- I did it, it was fairly easy, the coffee is better. It took a few weeks for the new burrs to break in; after 90+ days there are clearly less fines and a clearer taste. I give it an 8 cuz you can dance to it!

Yes, it does sound a little different, more like I am grinding coffee beans, where as before it sounded more like I had put an old metal can in the grinder.

Hey hey!
Are y'all changing the inner and outer ring burr with the preciso upgrade?
Thanks

Just the inner, the outer burr is the same.

Thought I'd chime in again with an update. I've swapped out the old cone burr with the new Preciso burr, so I had a chance to look at them both up close. There are some subtle, but clear differences in design.
On the left is the old Encore cone burr, on the right is the new Preciso cone burr. Side by side, the differences are obvious. The Preciso burr blades creep up longer up the star edges, and the overall cone silhouette/profile is more rounded.


Here's the top view.

Now you can easily see that the old burr and blunted edges on the tips of the star. The Preciso is sharp almost down to the up-stretched lower cutting blades. Which, in my mind, all the differences in design tell me that the cutting and grinding start a lot sooner from the top than the Encore burr. Perhaps creating a smoother transition from whole bean to complete grind, resulting in a lot less fines.
As much as I can tell, it's a slightly faster grind. And I think I can visually confirm that there are less fines. With the new burr installed, I had to dial a finer setting in, which would also confirm less fines that would otherwise resist water flow.