Encore Espresso: Can the Baratza Encore Actually Grind for Espresso?

The Baratza Encore is the most recommended entry-level grinder in specialty coffee. It handles drip, pour-over, French press, and AeroPress without breaking a sweat. But espresso? That's where things get complicated. I spent three months trying to make espresso with my Encore, and I can give you a straight answer: it sort of works, but with serious limitations you need to understand before you try.

The Encore was not designed for espresso. Baratza even released a separate model, the Encore ESP, specifically for that purpose. Still, plenty of home baristas try to make the standard Encore work for espresso because they already own one. Here's what actually happens when you do, and whether the workarounds are worth the effort.

Why Espresso Demands More From a Grinder

Espresso extraction happens under 9 bars of pressure in about 25-30 seconds. In that short window, water passes through a tightly packed puck of finely ground coffee. For the extraction to be even, every particle needs to be roughly the same size.

If the grind has too many fines (tiny dust-like particles), they clog sections of the puck and create channels where water pushes through too fast in other spots. The result is a shot that's simultaneously over-extracted (bitter) and under-extracted (sour). It tastes bad.

Drip coffee is forgiving because water passes through the grounds slowly over 4-5 minutes. Slight variations in particle size average out. Espresso doesn't give you that luxury. Every inconsistency in the grind shows up directly in the cup.

This is why espresso grinders are more expensive. They use tighter tolerances, more precise burr geometry, and stepless adjustment mechanisms that let you dial in to the exact micron range your dose and basket require.

What Happens When You Grind Espresso on the Encore

I tested my Encore at settings 1 through 8 (the fine end of its 40-setting range) using a Breville Bambino Plus with an unpressurized basket.

Settings 1-3

Way too fine. The grinder produced a grind that choked my machine. Water couldn't pass through the puck at all, and the Bambino's pump strained audibly. Shot time exceeded 45 seconds for barely 20ml of liquid. The result was thick, bitter sludge.

Settings 4-5

Closer, but still problematic. I pulled shots in the 28-35 second range, which sounds acceptable on paper. But the cups tasted unbalanced. Some shots were okay. Others, using the same beans and same dose, were noticeably sour or bitter. The inconsistency came from the Encore's stepped adjustment. One click at this end of the range changes the grind size too much. I needed to be between 4 and 5, and there's no way to get there.

Settings 6-8

Too coarse for espresso. Shots pulled in under 15 seconds and tasted thin and sour. Not enough resistance in the puck.

The Verdict on Stock Encore for Espresso

You can pull passable shots on settings 4-5 if you use a pressurized portafilter basket. Pressurized baskets add artificial resistance, which compensates for grind inconsistency. The shots won't taste like cafe-quality espresso, but they'll be drinkable and better than pod machines.

With an unpressurized basket, the Encore's grind consistency and step size make it too unpredictable for satisfying espresso.

The Encore ESP: Baratza's Espresso Answer

Recognizing that people wanted the Encore for espresso, Baratza released the Encore ESP. It looks nearly identical to the standard Encore but has several key differences.

ESP-Specific Burrs

The ESP uses a different burr set designed for finer grinding. The burr geometry is optimized for espresso-range particle sizes, producing tighter distribution at the fine end.

Finer Adjustment Steps

The ESP has the same 40 macro settings but with finer micro-adjustments between them. This gives you more precision in the espresso range where small changes matter enormously.

Same Body and Motor

The motor, housing, and hopper are identical. The ESP is not a completely new grinder. It's a recalibrated Encore with espresso-specific burrs.

At about $170-180 (compared to $150 for the standard Encore), the ESP is a reasonable option if you want one grinder for both filter and espresso. It won't match a dedicated $300+ espresso grinder, but it gets you into the ballpark.

Workarounds for Espresso on the Standard Encore

If you already own an Encore and don't want to buy the ESP, here are the modifications and techniques that can help.

Internal Calibration Adjustment

The Encore has a calibration ring under the hopper that shifts the entire grind range. By rotating it, you can make setting 1 finer than it is by default. This gives you access to finer grinds, but it doesn't fix the step size problem. You'll have more range but still can't fine-tune between settings.

The M2 Burr Upgrade

Swapping to Baratza's M2 burrs (about $35) improves grind consistency across all settings, including the fine end. This is the single best modification you can make to the standard Encore for espresso use. The improvement won't turn it into an espresso grinder, but it tightens the particle distribution enough that pressurized basket shots improve noticeably.

Use a Pressurized Basket

If your espresso machine came with both pressurized and unpressurized baskets, use the pressurized one with the Encore. The built-in resistance compensates for grind inconsistency. Yes, purists will object, but the coffee actually tastes decent this way.

Dose Adjustments

Try using a slightly higher dose (19-20g instead of 18g) and a slightly coarser grind (setting 6-7). The higher dose adds puck resistance, and the coarser setting reduces fines. Combined with a pressurized basket, this can produce surprisingly drinkable shots.

Better Options If Espresso Is Your Priority

If you're serious about espresso and shopping for a grinder, the standard Encore is not where your money should go. Here are better choices at various price points.

Under $200: The Baratza Encore ESP is the obvious pick if you also want filter capability. For espresso only, the 1Zpresso JX-Pro hand grinder ($160-180) produces better espresso grinds than either Encore model.

$200-$300: The Eureka Mignon Notte and Baratza Sette 30 are purpose-built espresso grinders with stepless adjustment and proper fine-grinding burrs.

$300+: The Eureka Mignon Specialita, Baratza Sette 270, or DF64 single-dose grinder all deliver cafe-quality espresso grinds at home.

For a wider look at grinder options including espresso models, our best coffee grinder roundup covers the full range. The top coffee grinder guide also includes dedicated espresso picks.

FAQ

Can I use the Encore ESP burrs in a standard Encore?

The ESP burrs are designed for the ESP's specific calibration. You can physically install them, but the grind range may not align correctly with the standard Encore's adjustment mechanism. Baratza sells the M2 burrs as the official upgrade for the standard Encore, and those are the ones I'd recommend.

Is the Baratza Encore good enough for a beginner espresso setup?

With a pressurized portafilter basket, yes. You'll be able to make lattes and milk-based drinks that taste good. For straight espresso shots where flavor nuance matters, you'll hit the Encore's limitations quickly. If you know espresso is your main drink, save up for a proper espresso grinder from the start.

How does the Encore compare to hand grinders for espresso?

Good hand grinders like the 1Zpresso JX-Pro or Comandante C40 produce better espresso grinds than the standard Encore. Hand grinders in the $150-200 range use high-quality burrs with finer adjustment steps, which is exactly what espresso needs. The tradeoff is manual effort. If you're pulling 1-2 shots a day, a hand grinder is an excellent espresso option.

Should I buy the Encore ESP or save for a dedicated espresso grinder?

If espresso is 50% or more of what you'll brew, save for a dedicated grinder. The Encore ESP is a compromise that does both filter and espresso acceptably but neither brilliantly. If you brew mostly filter with occasional espresso, the ESP is a smart single-grinder solution. Think about your actual daily routine and buy accordingly.

Where This Leaves You

The standard Baratza Encore is not an espresso grinder. It can produce drinkable shots with workarounds, but you'll fight it every step of the way. The Encore ESP improves things meaningfully if you want one grinder for everything. And if espresso is your main reason for buying a grinder, skip both Encores and get something designed for the job. Your morning shots will thank you.