We shared some initial impressions on the Baratza Encore ESP Pro last month, but now that we've had time to put this grinder through its paces it's time for a more thorough Crew Review. We hope you enjoy!

The Basics

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro is a high quality, uptuned version of Baratza's classic Encore coffee grinder. Suitable for slow brew and espresso, this grinder is the Encore's first foray into stepless grind adjust. The challenge with stepless grinders typically is that they are challenging to find reference points and specific settings for, as they move infinitely like a screw. The Encore ESP Pro solves this by condensing grind resolution into a 270 degree range and using its digital display to show you a setting, resulting in 60 virtual incriments which it rotates through seamlessly as you'd expect from a stepless. Settings 1-40 use a 2-3 micron adjust per half step for finely tuned espresso, where steps 40-60 ramps a little more steeply, moving 50 microns per half increment. This is a unique approach that really helps combine usability with the precision of a stepless adjust.

Build Quality and Components

The body of the Encore ESP Pro is anodized cast zinc, which provides a premium finish and rock solid build. The burr assembly is all metal, with 40 mm conical steel burrs and a flow control disk that better controls beans as they enter the grind chamber and prevents them from jumping around. As a bonus, because of the way this grinder is constructed we also found it to be significantly quieter than other Encores in Baratza's line.

This grinder features stage lighting for its bin area, so you can see the grinds as they exit the chute. It comes with a plastic catch bin and a dosing cup, which you'll use depending on whether you're grinding for espresso or drip coffee.

Finally, the Encore ESP Pro has both a standard bean hopper, and a single dose hopper that we'll discuss next.

Grind Workflow

While you absolutely can use a classic timed grind setting like you might be used to with other grinders, the Baratza Encore ESP Pro also features a single dosing option. If you're new to brewing specialty coffee, single dosing just means that instead of dialing in a time to get an approximate dose of beans from a full hopper, you weigh the whole beans out that you'll need ahead of time and then pour them into the grinder and grind them all. Single dosing both allows you to store your beans in a more airtight container than a grinder hopper, and makes it easier to switch beans around between brews.

To use the single dose hopper on the Encore ESP Pro, you simple weigh your beans out in the lid, then pour the beans into the hopper. You can start the single dose grind and it will stop automatically when it no longer senses grounds in the hopper.

Pros and Cons

On the pro side, the stepless grind adjust allows for incredible precision when grinding espresso, and its innovative design means that you can actually swap from espresso to slow brewing and then go back to your prior setting without much fuss. When combined with the single dosing grind method making it easier to switch between beans this really is a great option for anyone looking for a one-stop grinding shop. Additionally, the high quality build, great included accessories, and quieter grind times make it a great pick for anyone shopping for a new grinder. 

The biggest con here is that this grinder can be a little complicated to wrap your head around at first given all of the options. The stepless adjust is easier to use than many other grinders' stepless adjustment but it is still a nuanced method of grind control. Because of this, there is a learning curve to understanding how to get the most out of the grinder. Also - because of the way the burr movement ramps, you should be a bit careful about making large adjustments with beans in the grind chamber. The wider swings can cause the grinder to jam/seize, meaning that you'll want to make those big adjustments with an empty chamber (all the more reason to use the single dose mode). We did also notice that this grinder produces a bit more static than some other premium offerings, but not enough to be a dealbreaker for us.

Who's It For?

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro is an excellent grinder for anyone ready to step up from their basic, entry level burr grinder who doesn't need the level of performance expected from commercial grade grinders. This means that, yes, we recommend this grinder to a very wide range of at home coffee and espresso fans!

You can see some more of our takes on the Encore ESP Pro and see it in action in our video review below!