Baratza has long been a favorite of coffee enthusiasts, and for good reason. Their grinders have airways found a sweet spot between quality, reliability, and value. We love this brand of coffee grinders too, and we want to tell you about our favorites!
Baratza Encore ESP
The Encore is really THE classic Baratza coffee grinder. Known for its reliability, repairability, and slow-brewing performance. For years this was our go-to recommendation to any new coffee aficionado, particularly for those looking for a great pour over grinder.
Where the Encore was not always fully up to snuff was in the espresso department. Past Encore models didn’t offer quite tight enough control or a fine enough grind option to be suitable for the needs of an espresso machine. That’s no longer the case with the Baratza Encore ESP.
Introduced a few years ago, the Encore ESP takes the Encore platform and adds that precision needed for entry-level espresso grinding. While this grinder is not going to compete with a higher end, espresso-specific option, it will at least get you started on your espresso journey and will work great with pressurized portafilters. It even comes with a dosing cup that’ll fit your portafilter, making the transfer of those grounds from the grinder even easier.
This all comes along with the existing reliability, simplicity, and performance on the coarser end that we know and love from the classic Encore. This really is the perfect grinder to start your at-home coffee journey with!
Baratza Sette 270WI
The Sette is probably the easiest to spot of the grinders in Baratza’s lineup. Its striking shape does a lot more than make it stand out though, as this is one of the best values in espresso grinding that you’ll find.
That “7” shape we alluded to provides ample workspace below the grind spout, made even easier to use by its adjustable portafilter arms. Easy hopper locking lets you swap out beans and access the burrs in a hurry as well, and the drop out burrs are simple to clean and maintain. The Sette 270WI also features macro and micro adjust for getting the perfect grind consistency for your espresso.What really puts this grinder over the top though, is its impressive dosing features.
While we could go on and on about the performance of this grinder, what justifies its pricing really is its weighted dosing. Using a precise scale activated by the portafilter arms, you can just select your dose amount instead of having to rely on a less precise timer. This makes getting exactly what you want from your grind a snap, and simplifies your espresso-brewing workflow.
We have found that this feature works exceptionally well on the Sette 270WI, and recommend it very highly if you’re looking for weighted dosing.
Baratza Vario+
The Vario+ is a truly premium option that offers incredible versatility and performance. This all-arounder is another option that can produce excellent grinds for espresso or slow brew methods like press, drip, or pour over. It can do this thanks to its wide range of macro and micro adjust, controlled by solid metal switches that feel great to use.
That’s not the only part of this grinder that’s metal either. The Vario+ features metal components throughout, such as the grind chamber. This high quality, solid construction means you’ll be using this grinder for many years without having to fuss with it or replace components. Finally, the Vario+ also has essentials like programmable timed dosing, plus nifty little bells and whistles like stage lighting. This lighting can actually come in handy if you’re grinding early morning and don’t want to flip on the kitchen lights!
All three of these grinders offer something a little different, with the Encore being a great entry level option, the Vario+ being a more premium all around option, and the Sette 270WI offering some excellent features for specifically brewing espresso.
Whatever your needs, we’re sure one of these coffee grinders from Baratza will be perfect for you! Do you have a favorite Baratza grinder? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our video below to see them in action!