AeroPress and Baratza Encore: The Perfect Beginner Pairing
The Baratza Encore is one of the most commonly recommended grinders for AeroPress brewing, and after using this exact combination for close to two years, I can tell you the pairing just works. If you're wondering whether the Encore grinds well enough for AeroPress, the answer is yes, with a few settings tweaks I'll walk you through.
The AeroPress is forgiving by nature. It uses immersion brewing with a paper filter and pressure, which means small inconsistencies in grind size don't ruin your cup the way they would with a V60. That makes the Encore, which is an entry-level burr grinder with some known particle variation, a great match. I'll cover the best grind settings, how to adjust for different AeroPress recipes, what to watch out for, and how to get the most out of this combo. For a broader look at grinders that work well with the AeroPress, check out our best coffee grinder for AeroPress roundup.
Best Baratza Encore Settings for AeroPress
The Encore uses a numbered dial system from 1 to 40. For AeroPress, you'll typically land somewhere between 10 and 20, depending on your recipe and steep time.
Standard AeroPress Method
For the standard (upright) method with a 1-2 minute steep time, I use setting 12-14. This produces a medium-fine grind, similar to table salt. It extracts well in the short contact time and pushes through the paper filter without too much resistance.
If your plunge feels really hard to push, go one or two clicks coarser. If the coffee tastes weak and watery, go finer.
Inverted Method
The inverted method usually involves a longer steep time of 2-4 minutes. For this, I bump the grind up to setting 15-18. The coarser grind prevents over-extraction during the longer contact time. I steep for about 3 minutes at setting 16 and get a clean, full-bodied cup.
AeroPress Espresso-Style
Some people use the AeroPress to make a concentrated, espresso-like shot. For this, go fine. Setting 8-10 with about 15 grams of coffee and just enough water to fill the chamber. Press slowly. The result won't be real espresso, but it makes a strong concentrate that works well with milk.
Why the Encore Works So Well with AeroPress
The AeroPress and Encore complement each other for a few specific reasons.
Grind Consistency Is Good Enough
The Encore produces some fines (tiny particles smaller than the target size) at every setting. With a pour over brewer, those fines can clog the filter and cause uneven extraction. But the AeroPress uses pressure during the plunge, which pushes water through the grounds regardless of some fine particles. The paper filter catches most of them. This means the Encore's slight inconsistency becomes a non-issue.
The Adjustment Range Covers All AeroPress Recipes
Whether you're grinding fine for a quick press or coarser for a long steep, the Encore's 40-step dial covers the full range of AeroPress recipes. You're never stuck between two settings or wishing for finer increments. The steps are just right for this brewer.
It's Set-and-Forget
Once you find your preferred setting, you can leave the Encore dialed in. I make AeroPress coffee every morning with the same setting, the same dose, and the same water temperature. The Encore sits on my counter ready to go. No calibration needed, no click-counting like a manual grinder. Just beans in, button on, grounds out.
Dialing In: A Simple Process
If you're new to the Encore and AeroPress pairing, here's how I'd approach dialing in your grind.
Start at Setting 14
This is a safe middle ground for most AeroPress recipes. Brew your first cup with your usual recipe. Taste it.
Adjust Based on Taste
- Too bitter or harsh? Go 2 clicks coarser (toward 16). The grounds are too fine and you're over-extracting.
- Too sour or thin? Go 2 clicks finer (toward 12). The grounds are too coarse and you're under-extracting.
- Plunge is extremely hard? Go coarser regardless of taste. You're risking a blowout, and the excessive pressure can push through gritty fines.
Lock It In
Once you find a setting that produces coffee you enjoy, write it down. I keep a small label on the side of my Encore with "AeroPress: 13" written on it. Sounds silly, but it saves me from second-guessing every morning.
Common Mistakes with This Combo
I've made all of these, so hopefully you can skip the learning curve.
Grinding Too Fine
The biggest mistake I see beginners make is grinding too fine because they think the AeroPress needs espresso-fine grounds. It doesn't. Setting 8 or below creates too much resistance, makes the plunge difficult, and often results in bitter coffee. Start medium-fine and only go finer if you have a specific reason.
Not Pre-Wetting the Filter
This isn't about the grinder, but it affects how the Encore's grounds perform in the AeroPress. Always rinse your paper filter with hot water before brewing. This removes paper taste and helps the filter seal properly, so fine particles don't sneak through into your cup.
Ignoring Dose Weight
The Encore doesn't have a built-in scale or timer. I weigh my beans before grinding rather than using volume or timing. The standard AeroPress recipe calls for 14-17 grams of coffee. I use 16 grams for a single cup. Eyeballing it leads to inconsistent cups, which you might blame on the grinder when it's really a dosing problem.
Stale Beans
If your coffee from the Encore and AeroPress tastes flat regardless of grind setting, the beans are probably the problem. Freshly roasted beans (within 4 weeks of roast date) make a dramatic difference. I noticed a significant upgrade in my cup quality when I switched from grocery store beans to a local roaster, even with the same grinder and brewer.
Upgrading from the Encore
At some point, you might wonder if a better grinder would improve your AeroPress coffee. Here's my honest take.
The Encore handles AeroPress very well. Upgrading to a $300+ grinder like the Baratza Virtuoso or a high-end manual grinder will give you marginally more grind consistency, but the AeroPress is so forgiving that you might not taste the difference. I upgraded to a nicer grinder for pour over purposes, but I still grab the Encore for AeroPress because it just works.
If you do want to explore what's available, our best grinder for AeroPress roundup covers options at every price point.
The one scenario where upgrading makes sense: if you're also brewing espresso or V60 regularly and want a single grinder that excels at everything. The Encore is limited for espresso, and V60 punishes grind inconsistency more than AeroPress does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the single best Baratza Encore setting for AeroPress?
Setting 13-14 for a standard brew with a 1.5-minute steep time. This is the safe starting point that works for most people and most recipes.
Can I use the Baratza Encore ESP for AeroPress?
Yes, and it's actually a slight upgrade. The ESP model has enhanced burrs that produce fewer fines. For AeroPress, the difference is subtle, but the ESP does give you a slightly cleaner cup and an easier plunge.
How many grams of coffee should I grind for AeroPress?
I use 16 grams for a standard cup. The AeroPress recipe range is 14-18 grams depending on how strong you like it and how much water you're using. Weigh your beans, don't scoop.
Should I grind all my beans at once or per cup?
Per cup, always. Ground coffee goes stale within 20-30 minutes as volatile aromatics escape. The Encore grinds a single AeroPress dose in about 10-15 seconds, so there's no reason to batch grind.
The Takeaway
The Baratza Encore and AeroPress is a combination that just works without overthinking it. Set the dial to 13 or 14, weigh out 16 grams of fresh beans, and brew. The AeroPress is forgiving enough to mask the Encore's minor grind inconsistencies, and the Encore is consistent enough to deliver good coffee every time. Start there, adjust by taste, and don't stress about upgrading until you've got a brew method that actually demands more from your grinder.