Buzz
For most coffee enthusiasts, coffee is an essential part of their day. When a product promises to elevate your brew at home, it becomes a worthwhile investment. After years of relying on pre-ground beans or using in-store grinding, I’ve always been curious if having an at-home coffee grinder would truly make a difference.
According to Drew Frohn, wholesale manager and coffee educator at Coava Coffee Roasters, “The most important tool to enhance your coffee experience at home is a burr grinder — period.” Frohn, along with three other coffee experts interviewed by HuffPost, unanimously endorsed the Baratza Encore coffee grinder as the ultimate grinder for achieving exceptional coffee at home. “I’ve been using mine for over eight years,” Frohn shared.
He emphasized the importance of using a grinder because ground coffee rapidly loses essential aromatic compounds, making pre-ground coffee a lesser option compared to freshly ground beans.
“Burr grinders, like the Baratza Encore, use rotating metal burrs for a more consistent grind compared to blade grinders, ensuring a uniform grind and, consequently, a more reliable and flavorful brew,” Frohn explained, calling the Baratza a top-rated, entry-level grinder praised for its simplicity, durability, and high quality at an affordable price.
Jordan G.L. Hardin, director of food and beverage at
Built with a powerful motor and commercial-grade conical burrs made from durable alloy steel, the Baratza Encore provides 40 grind settings, catering to a wide variety of brewing methods, from French press to standard automatic and pour-over styles.
The machine’s simple design stands out, featuring an easy-to-use on-and-off dial and a single pulse button. Its compact size is another plus, standing just over 13 inches tall and under four inches wide.
It’s not just professionals who praise this trusted grinder. Coffee lovers of all kinds, from seasoned home brewers to newcomers, see the Baratza as a must-have for their kitchen. Many users highlight the grinder's ability to produce finely ground coffee without the static mess that often accompanies less expensive burr grinders when the grounds receptacle is opened.
Check out even more enthusiastic reviews of the Baratza from satisfied users below:
“I decided to upgrade my old burr coffee grinder and went for this one, even though it was a bit pricier. After a month of use, I’m extremely happy with my decision. The grind is incredibly consistent, and the 40 settings allow me to find the perfect grind every time. What stood out the most was the lack of static in the plastic bin. My previous grinder would sometimes cause a small explosion of coffee grounds when I opened it. Sure, it takes a little longer to grind, and there’s no auto shut-off, but I don’t mind standing there for a minute to enjoy the aroma. I also got the baffle, which helps blow the remaining grounds into the bin. If you’re like me and don’t need to spend a fortune on your daily grind, this is a great choice. Buy it—you won’t regret it.” —Amazon customer
“I’ve been grinding coffee beans for 15 years, starting with a blade grinder. I quickly upgraded to a couple of flat-blade burr grinders (like the $40 Krupps), but they were a hassle. Finally, I decided to invest in a conical burr grinder, the Baratza Encore, and it’s unbeatable for this price range. My nephew, who runs several coffee shops, told me that when his Capresso grinder breaks, he replaces it with this Baratza Encore.
“The best part: virtually no static! My old high-revving burr grinders created so much static, the grinds would fly out when I removed the cup. With the Baratza, a couple of taps with the heel of my hand gets all the grounds out, and when I remove the cup, there’s no dust, no mess, and absolutely no static.
The grind consistency is outstanding. No uneven grinds or powder, just beautifully uniform coffee grounds. I’ve only used settings 15 and 18 for pour-overs and drip coffee, which Baratza recommends.
“I gave it 3 stars for noise level. While it does make noise, let’s be honest, no coffee grinder is silent.
“The DC motor provides constant torque and RPM, and it uses a gear reduction. According to the manufacturer, it runs at a cool 550 RPM, unlike my old flat-blade grinders that screamed at 1000 RPM or more—probably contributing to the static and ‘fines’ in the grind.
I cleaned it after a week and found it surprisingly clean—no dust or buildup. One thing to note: if you grind very dark roasted beans, which are oily, you might need to clean it more often.” —James L. (This review was edited for length. Read the full review here.)
“I absolutely love this coffee grinder! I previously owned two other conical grinders, a Mr. Coffee and a Cuisinart. I’m frugal, so I thought I could make do with a cheap grinder. But I’ve realized that spending a little more on the Baratza Encore is money well spent. The Mr. Coffee grinder lasted less than a year, and the Cuisinart was difficult to use.
“Finally, I had enough savings and got the Baratza, and I’m so glad I did. After a month of use, there’s no static in the receptacle, and it’s incredibly easy to use. It works perfectly and grinds the coffee consistently. The $50 extra I spent compared to the Cuisinart was definitely worth it. If you’re in the market for a conical burr grinder, this is the one!” —P. Albee (This review was edited for length. Read the full review here.)
