Time to upgrade from Baratza Encore?
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Sid Duffman
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 4 years ago
Hi all,
TL;DR I'm new to espresso, my grinder lacks fine adjustment of grind size. Would you upgrade now, or wait awhile to see how things go?
I have been a coffee enthusiast for the last few years, but was only doing pour over, Aeropress, and French press, never espresso. I got an espresso machine for Christmas (Breville Bambino Plus) and have been really digging it. But I'm afraid my Baratza Encore grinder is not up to the task. I opened it up and re-adjusted the calibration towards finer, but I think the grind size steps are just too granular. At setting 9, it is usually too fine, and 10 is too coarse; I'm basing that assessment on taste, flow rate, and extraction time. I can compensate a bit by changing the dose and tamp pressure, but that seems to only go so far.
I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a higher end grinder and I'm very intrigued by all the positive feedback on the Niche Zero. Ceado e5p is another I am considering.
However, because I'm so new to espresso, I wonder if it would be smarter to keep using the equipment that I have. I know from other obsessive hobbies (mountain biking) that early on, there is a steep learning curve, and wants/needs quickly change. I don't want to shell out that much money, only to find myself wanting something else soon after. Any advice from the more experienced would be greatly appreciated!
If it's relevant
-medium to dark roasted beans. Some fancy stuff, some cheap blends like Maromas Orphea.
-about 50% milk based drinks, 40% americanos, 10% espresso
-will also continue to do brewed coffee
TL;DR I'm new to espresso, my grinder lacks fine adjustment of grind size. Would you upgrade now, or wait awhile to see how things go?
I have been a coffee enthusiast for the last few years, but was only doing pour over, Aeropress, and French press, never espresso. I got an espresso machine for Christmas (Breville Bambino Plus) and have been really digging it. But I'm afraid my Baratza Encore grinder is not up to the task. I opened it up and re-adjusted the calibration towards finer, but I think the grind size steps are just too granular. At setting 9, it is usually too fine, and 10 is too coarse; I'm basing that assessment on taste, flow rate, and extraction time. I can compensate a bit by changing the dose and tamp pressure, but that seems to only go so far.
I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a higher end grinder and I'm very intrigued by all the positive feedback on the Niche Zero. Ceado e5p is another I am considering.
However, because I'm so new to espresso, I wonder if it would be smarter to keep using the equipment that I have. I know from other obsessive hobbies (mountain biking) that early on, there is a steep learning curve, and wants/needs quickly change. I don't want to shell out that much money, only to find myself wanting something else soon after. Any advice from the more experienced would be greatly appreciated!
If it's relevant
-medium to dark roasted beans. Some fancy stuff, some cheap blends like Maromas Orphea.
-about 50% milk based drinks, 40% americanos, 10% espresso
-will also continue to do brewed coffee
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dilin
- Posts: 204
- Joined: 9 years ago
Change out your Encore Burr for the Preciso for brew.
Get a used Mazzer SJ / NS 64mm doser, swap the burrs, and learn.to single dose.
Not the best setup, but performance to cost ratio is very high ie bang for buck.
Get a used Mazzer SJ / NS 64mm doser, swap the burrs, and learn.to single dose.
Not the best setup, but performance to cost ratio is very high ie bang for buck.
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luvmy40
- Posts: 1151
- Joined: 4 years ago
I'm using the Breville SmartGrinder Pro and the BDB right now with better than expected results. On the advice of Peter and after reading the several threads about the Baratza Vario/Forte alignment and upgrades, I will be getting a factory refurbished Vario and the Forte parts upgrades ASAP.
