How is Baratza Encore ESP as grinding machine for espresso?
How is Baratza Encore ESP as grinding machine for espresso?
Hello again, After getting Gaggia Classic Pro Evo in August 2023, I have been using pre ground coffee from my local coffee shop.
I am planning to get Baratza Encore ESP to pair with my GCP since the grinder is currently on sale for like 10% off on Retail price.
Wanted to know if Encore ESP would be a good choice?
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I've never used the ESP, but it has stepped adjustment which is not ideal for espresso. You only get 20ish grind sizes to pick from, and you'll probably end up using 2 or 3 of the available grinds. You'll be wishing for "in-between" settings because espresso is very finicky.
The original Encore had pretty inconsistent grind, with lots of big chunks, lots of fines, and plenty in between. This isn't ideal for drip coffee, but it's fine. For espresso, if the grind quality is similar, it'll give you a lot of frustration.
A good espresso grinder is expensive. Home espresso is expensive.
Please stop mentioning the original encore when people ask about the new one, it makes zero sense.
They are completely different grinders, with vastly distinct performance. Both still have stepped adjustments, but they perform very differently.
Sorry, I didn't know they were that different.
My main point, though, is that it's stepped, which a good espresso grinder shouldn't be. There are other, more expensive, stepped espresso grinders which I also don't recommend.
Something like a Eureka Mignon Silenzio has stepless adjustment and flat burrs. Yes it's more expensive, but I always recommend buy-once-cry-once with espresso stuff. Trying to make espresso on a budget can be frustrating. Espresso should be fun!
Espresso should be fun!
Gatekeeping Espresso into more expensive Grinders is kinda the opposite though?
Nah, just making sure people don't get frustrated and quit.
I get where you're coming from, but getting a grinder that makes making espresso frustrating might prevent someone from ever enjoying it. I'd be more likely to recommend a similarly priced hand grinder that can be retired to travel or pour over duty once funds are available for a nice electric espresso grinder
I have the original Encore, and I ended up installing the M2 burr upgrade for this reason. The stock burr was actually bad enough to cause problems for filter coffee too.