Trying Out Baratza’s Most Popular Burr Coffee Grinder

If like us, you’ve been hearing a lot about Burr coffee grinders and seeing a couple of influencers rave about getting their hands on the latest models, you may also be wondering if these products are actually worth the hype to the typical consumer. Other than being featured in some “best of 2020” lists, we haven’t had much context for some of the newer products to hit the market, but luckily, that’s all about to change. Today, we’re testing out the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, which is generally considered the best value for money out of their entire range, and has been dubbed as perfect for the coffee hobbyist who is just getting started on honing their barista skills. 

What is a Coffee Grinder?

If you’re a first timer in the coffee game, you may be wondering what a coffee grinder is supposed to do. Coffee grinders, particularly known as burr grinders, are tools that enthusiasts and baristas use to achieve a freshly ground coffee experience with each cup. Grinders are important in achieving uniform consistency from the grinds, which gives it a perfect taste, thanks to just the correct amount of flavour extraction. The ability to extract flavour and provide consistency is what sets specific burr grinders apart from each other. 

First Impressions: The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

The Baratza Encore is one of a series of coffee grinders from the brand. Known for their innovative product design, on first impression this machine doesn’t seem all that impressive, looking like a standard table top grinder you may see at your local coffee shop. Designed in jet black, which will help it match to some of the other items in your kitchen at home, we soon realised that the value of this machine was not in the way it looked, or in the 1 year warranty. 

An Effortless First Grind

While some may consider it to be slightly noisy, the first grind was relatively effortless and with minimal overall effort. It’s easy to see why this grinder is a best-seller for Baratza, as it is so easy to use, you likely won’t even need to have a look at the instruction manual. With a simple on/off switch, you can have a freshly brewed cup of coffee in no time. Advanced users will probably be happy to hear that this machine comes with over 40 grind settings, which allows for experimentation of an extensive range of brew methods, including espresso, french press and more. Take some time to try a few things, getting acquainted with the machine and seeing what works for you. We did, and we weren’t disappointed (although we did leave on somewhat on a coffee high).

Overall Impressions: Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Overall, the Encore Conical grinder is a winner, not only for its speed and efficiency, but as a result of its ability to deliver consistent grinds with each use. Considering it retails at around R2000, it’s no surprise that this grinder has become a viable option for households of all shapes and sizes and it comes highly recommended from our team. If you’re looking for more information about the latest coffee machines and grinders on the market, chat to the team at Aquaspresso, who will be happy to point you in the right direction.