Baratza Introduces the Encore ESP Professional Grinder

Baratza has simply launched their newest shopper grinder, the Encore ESP Professional, marking a giant shift of their lineup. With this launch, Baratza is sunsetting the Virtuoso sequence, streamlining their choices into 4 important households: Encore, Vario, Sette, and Forte. Extra importantly, the Encore ESP Professional brings a wave of high-end options that mirror the place shopper expectations for grinders are heading in 2025. When launched, the Encore ESP Professional could have a retail worth of $300USD ($299.95).

In some ways, the Encore ESP Professional replaces the Virtuoso and Virtuoso+ fashions by mixing their legacy into the Encore line, changing into an improve alternative in comparison with the Encore ESP grinder. Nevertheless it goes additional than that. This isn’t simply an improve; it’s a leap ahead. The ESP Professional features a suite of pro-level options like auto-stop grinding, a built-in ionizer to scale back static, an impressively tremendous 2.2-micron adjustment system for espresso, a digital timer correct to one-tenth of a second, and a lit grinds chamber. It additionally presents a simple option to swap between single dosing and full hopper use.

Initially, we had been scheduled to obtain an early manufacturing mannequin firstly of April, however delivery delays pushed that again. Usually, I want to write down about gear after hands-on use. Nonetheless, given Baratza’s impression on the house grinder market and the innovation packed into this launch, it’s value highlighting now. We shall be getting one of many first items in North America in early Might and I’ll have a fast palms on followup article at the moment.

For those who occur to be on the SCA Expo in Houston April 25-27 2025, you’ll be able to see this grinder in individual at Baratza’s sales space, #615, the place they’ll have a number of items in demonstration, in addition to the oldsters behind the grinder accessible to reply questions.

What’s Notable in regards to the Baratza Encore ESP Professional

It’s powerful to select only one standout characteristic from Baratza’s new Encore ESP Professional, as a result of this grinder packs in a number of spectacular upgrades. Some of us will instantly zero in on the ultra-fine 2.2 micron adjustment steps, which supply a brand new stage of management for dialing in espresso. Others may recognize the auto-off characteristic that’s good for single dosing. For me, the sting may go to Baratza’s first-ever use of an ionizer for static discount.

Ionizer for Static Discount

Baratza has spent many years refining how their grinders deal with static. They’ve used particular plastics, coatings, and materials pairings and even polish remedies to reduce clumping and static cling from espresso. Over time, these efforts helped Baratza develop a few of the lowest static-producing grinders on the house market, no less than when in comparison with others with out an ionizer.

With the Encore ESP Professional, they’ve taken that extra step by including a built-in ionizer, utilizing a plasma generator design of their very own. This method builds on every little thing they’ve realized and provides an energetic layer of static management. Based on the engineers I spoke with, the outcomes have been spectacular, with minimal static in most situations. I’ll be placing that declare to the take a look at as quickly as our evaluation unit arrives.

Timer and Auto-Off Options

The Encore ESP Professional presents two distinct modes for grinding: a digital timer-based mode and an auto-off mode particularly geared towards single dosing. Timed grinding makes use of a digital 1/tenth second grind timer, and a fairly cool trying show not like something seen on a Baratza grinder earlier than. It offers you stable management and repeatability on your grind occasions. The auto-off mode is especially fascinating. When single dosing, the grinder senses resistance within the burr chamber, and as soon as that resistance disappears – that means the beans are absolutely floor – it shuts off robotically.

Auto-off isn’t a brand new idea in shopper grinders. The Wilfa Uniform features a related characteristic, as does the Choice-O Lagom Mini 2. In my expertise, the Wilfa’s execution feels a little bit inconsistent, and I haven’t had an opportunity to attempt the Mini 2’s model but. We’re curious to see how effectively Baratza’s system performs as compared.

Although not confirmed, I imagine the auto-off characteristic is enabled robotically once you swap out the bean hopper for the only dose hopper.

Extremely-Exact Espresso Changes

Baratza has additionally upgraded the grind adjustment system within the ESP Professional. Whereas it’s based mostly on the Encore ESP’s two-stage grind adjustment design, the Professional model steps it up with beefier steel parts and even finer granularity. With 2.2 microns per click on within the espresso vary, this grinder is shaping as much as be one of the vital exact choices for house espresso fanatics.

The system splits into two grind zones: the tremendous finish for espresso, and the coarser vary for brewing strategies like Aeropress, guide pour over, drip, siphon, and French press. One element we’re desperate to make clear is whether or not the micron bounce per click on stays constant throughout the non-espresso vary, or will increase as you progress coarser. That’s one thing we’ll take a look at completely as soon as we get hands-on.

And the way might I neglect this: that is now not only a “mechanical” grind adjustment for the grind settings: it’s digitally represented on the entrance show. Rotate the hopper to regulate your grind (like all Encore and Virtuoso grinders earlier than), however this time, the show modifications from it’s timed show to exhibiting you the grind setting. That’s severely cool.

Different Sought After Options and Further Ideas

The Baratza Encore ESP Professional doesn’t simply construct on the muse of the unique Encore ESP. It takes most of the most liked options from throughout Baratza’s grinder lineup and rolls them into one well-thought-out machine. The result’s a grinder that feels way more refined and full, particularly for house espresso fanatics who need flexibility with out giving up high quality.

Just like the Encore ESP, the Professional model consists of each a dosing cup and a grinds bin. That alone makes it versatile, whether or not you’re grinding for espresso or one thing extra coarse. However Baratza goes a step additional by together with each an ordinary hopper (seemingly round 12 ounces in capability) and a devoted single dose hopper with an identical lid, proper within the field. That’s a welcome change for customers who need to swap between workflow kinds with no need to purchase additional equipment.

Just like the Virtuoso+, the ESP Professional has an built-in “barista gentle” that illuminates the grinds bin or dosing cup when the grinder is energetic. It’s a small contact, however one which improves usability, particularly in decrease gentle or early morning espresso routines. My solely concern is that if the color of that gentle is excessively “chilly” or not. I want these sorts of barista lights to be extra pure color, within the 3500-5000k vary. That is one thing else we’ll take a look at and word in our palms on.

Show and Controls

The show on the ESP Professional is fairly cool. It’s easy and clear, with a white LED display screen embedded flush right into a black fascia plate. Functionally, the show does extra than simply present a timer. It tracks grind settings from 0 to 60 in 0.5 increments, giving customers 120 potential settings. It additionally visually signifies once you’re within the espresso vary, clearly marking the transition between espresso grinding and different brew strategies.

All controls are managed by way of a single front-mounted dial that each rotates and clicks, sustaining a clear aesthetic and minimizing muddle. Very “apple” like.

Construct High quality and Supplies

One of many larger bodily upgrades over the Encore ESP is the outer physique. Whereas the unique is usually plastic, the ESP Professional makes use of anodized steel for big parts of its outer housing. This could add a noticeable bump in sturdiness and provides the grinder a extra premium really feel. For customers on the lookout for a machine that appears at house in a extra upscale kitchen setup, this modification issues.

Burr Set and Efficiency

The Encore ESP Professional makes use of Baratza’s M2 burr set, developed by Etzinger. These 40mm conical burrs are extremely regarded for espresso, to which I can personally attest. Whereas they carry out admirably within the espresso vary, they do present some limitations as soon as you progress into the coarser finish of the grind spectrum. In my expertise, brews like Chemex or French press profit from burrs designed with extra readability and uniformity in thoughts.

In comparison with high-end burrs just like the Moonshine conicals from Choice-O, the M2s maintain their very own in espresso output however fall behind for filter brews. Nonetheless, for the value and the target market, they’re a stable alternative. I want to see Baratza work with Etzinger to enhance the burrs additional outdoors their already wonderful espresso and Aeropress efficiency.

Design and Longevity

At launch, the grinder is barely accessible in black. Baratza might broaden the colour choices sooner or later. The white Encore ESP appears to be like improbable, so it could be nice to see that styling carried over to the Professional mannequin.

Baratza’s long-standing dedication to repairability is one other massive plus. Their “don’t dump it, repair it” ethos carries over to the ESP Professional. Customers can count on entry to inexpensive alternative elements and assist supplies, like restore movies and walkthroughs. This method ensures the grinder can stay in service for a few years, even many years, with fundamental repairs.

Business Perspective and Availability

Within the official launch announcement, Phil McKnight, Breville’s President of International Specialty Espresso, had this to say:

“I’m so excited in regards to the launch of the sport altering Baratza Encore ESP Professional grinder that provides precision, versatility and efficiency by no means seen at this worth level. A stepless grind adjustment with an incredible decision of two.2 microns per diploma of mechanism rotation within the espresso vary makes dialing in any recipe foolproof. Considerate options of the ESP Professional like Anti-Static, Auto-Off when single dosing, a hopper with bean shut-off and move management disk coupled with the included equipment like a dosing cup for espresso and a single dose hopper are what our customers are on the lookout for and Baratza’s right here to supply,”

I don’t know what the move management disk is but, however I’m trying ahead to discovering out. We’re anticipating to get a take a look at unit quickly, and as soon as we do, we’ll comply with up with extra hands-on insights and direct suggestions from Baratza’s workforce.

The Baratza Encore ESP Professional is predicted to be accessible in early summer time at a retail worth of $300 USD ($299.95). North America would be the first area to obtain inventory, with world availability to comply with.