Baratza Forte BG Brew Grinder - Metal Burr

Before using the Forte BG for the first time, remove all packaging and hand-wash the bean hopper, hopper lid, and grounds bin (or dosing cup if included) in warm soapy water. Rinse and let air dry completely. Do not wash burrs with water — this will cause rust. Do not put any plastic parts in the dishwasher.

Wash the hopper, grounds bin, and PortaHolder in warm soapy water. Use the burr removal tool for burr access.

Season new burrs before your first real grind: run 30–50g of whole beans through and discard the output. New burrs have micro-burrs on the cutting edges that affect consistency until broken in. After seasoning, the grinder is ready to dial in.

Place the grinder on a stable, flat surface near a standard household outlet. Baratza grinders are designed for home use and operate on standard 120V AC power. Grind a dose at a time — these grinders are not designed for continuous extended runs.

The Forte BG is identical to the Forte AP in all mechanical respects — metal housing, 260 settings, touch-screen with three dosing modes, extended camshaft — with one difference: it uses 54mm flat steel burrs instead of the AP's ceramic burrs. The 'BG' designation stands for Brew Grinder, reflecting the steel burr set's particular suitability for filter and batch brew applications.

Steel flat burrs produce more body and texture than ceramic flat burrs. For espresso, both burr types perform well; for filter coffee, steel tends toward a richer, more textured cup while ceramic tends toward a cleaner, more delicate one. The Forte BG can also be outfitted with the Forte AP's ceramic burr set if a flavor profile change is desired.

Setup is identical to the Forte AP: install the PortaHolder or grounds bin, install the hopper, and run the burr seasoning cycle.

Steel Flat Burrs — Character and Workflow

The Forte BG's 54mm flat steel burrs deliver a bold, full-bodied cup with excellent texture for both filter and espresso brewing. Steel burrs season faster than ceramic (50–100g vs. 100–150g) and reach peak performance quickly. For filter brewing, the richer body pairs particularly well with medium and dark roasts.

Three Dosing Modes

The Forte BG offers three dosing modes: Timed Mode (set a grind duration for repeatable dosing), Weight Mode (the integrated scale stops the grinder when your target dose weight is reached), and Manual Mode (grind while holding the button). Weight Mode provides the most consistent espresso results; Timed Mode works well for batch and pour-over grinding.

260 Settings — Extended Grind Range

The Forte BG's 260 settings cover a broader range than many flat burr grinders. Use the macro lever for large range jumps and the micro lever for fine-tuning within a macro step.

Swapping Burr Sets

The Forte BG's metal burr set is interchangeable with the Forte AP's ceramic burr set, allowing you to switch between steel and ceramic burrs depending on the flavor profile you prefer — a rare flexibility in this class.

Weekly — Burr and Chamber

Unplug the grinder. Remove the hopper. Use the included burr removal tool to remove the upper burr carrier. Brush the steel burrs, grinding chamber, and chute with a dry brush. Do not wash burrs with water. Reinstall firmly.

Monthly — Hopper, Bin, PortaHolder

Hand-wash all plastic components with warm soapy water. Rinse and air dry. Do not use the dishwasher.

Quarterly — Cleaning Tablets

Run cleaning tablets at a medium setting to dissolve oil buildup. Follow with 30g of coffee to purge residue.

Metal Housing

Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners. The touch screen can be wiped with a slightly damp soft cloth — do not use cleaning sprays directly on the screen.

Touch Screen Unresponsive

Power off, unplug 30 seconds, reconnect. Wipe screen clean and dry.

Scale Not Dosing Accurately

Recalibrate using the manual procedure at baratza.com. Keep scale platform clean and grinder on a stable surface.

Grinder Won't Start

Confirm hopper locked, shut-off knob open, power connected.

Inconsistent Grind

Brush the steel burrs with a dry brush. Steel burrs season faster than ceramic but still benefit from cleaning tablets quarterly.

Warranty and Support

Baratza grinders carry a 1-year manufacturer warranty. For support, visit baratza.com or contact support@baratza.com / 877-701-2021.