Baratza Encore Black

The Baratza Encore Black is a coffee grinder mentioned in almost every guide to brewing specialty coffee at home. It is simply the machine people recommend first. From the shelves of Haimoo Roastery, this black classic finds its way to beginners and demanding home brewers alike.

The Baratza Encore Black is compact, just 12 x 16 x 35 centimetres. It fits easily on the worktop without taking up too much room. The plastic housing does not pick up fingerprints, so it stays looking tidy day after day.

At the heart of the grinder are 40 mm conical steel burrs. They are made in Europe from high-quality hardened steel. The low speed of just 450 RPM keeps heat in check while grinding. This matters, because heat weakens the coffee's aromas before brewing.

The Baratza Encore Black has exactly 40 settings. The grind runs from 250 micrometres all the way to 1200 micrometres. In practice this means the grinder handles the coarse grind for a French press just as well as the medium-coarse grind for pour over. AeroPress, Chemex and filter brewing all work with the same machine.

It grinds between 0.8 and 1.1 grams per second. That is a good pace for home use with no needless waiting. The hopper holds 227 grams of coffee at a time, and the grounds bin takes 142 grams. The grounds drop straight into their own bin or into whatever brewer you are using.

It is operated with a simple pulse button. Press the button, the grinder grinds, and let go when you have the amount you need. There is also a separate power switch for continuous running. The burrs come out in a few seconds for cleaning, so maintenance takes no special skill or tools.

The Baratza Encore Black is just right for the moment you want to leave pre-ground coffee behind. Freshly ground coffee gives clearly brighter fruitiness and deeper flavour in the cup than coffee ground in advance. You will notice the difference the very first time.

You can pair it with any specialty coffee from Haimoo Roastery and try out brewing methods that call for different grind sizes. You will also find a comprehensive range of coffee brewing equipment to complete your setup. The Baratza Encore Black is made in Taiwan, and you can find more information on Baratza's own website.

The Baratza Encore Black is an honest, long-lasting choice for the home coffee corner. It does what it promises, year after year.