Hey that's awesome! I'm so glad to hear this could help and I hope you love the grinder! And yeah their support is crazy good. Among the best customer service I've ever had.
When I removed the old burr I used a clean 13/16-inch socket, short extension, ratchet handle and a gentle clockwise tap to easily remove the burr. Thx for the vids. It is helped me decide to purchase an Encore for drip & French press.
Thanks for this content! I agree with others who say the music is to loud/repetitive. Next time, turn it down until it really becomes "background music."
Man, thank you for the detailed review. I knew there was an easier way to replace the burr but couldn’t find a good description of the process. Swapping was just as easy as the video you linked made it look. Took less than two minutes.
Great vid! I would suggest adding the Baratza single dose hopper. This has helped big time with retention and popcorning. Also gives the grinder a sleeker look if that matters to you haha
Thank you for the tip! I've had my eye on the single-dose hopper but I've been chicken to pull the trigger. I love the fact you can use the top as a weigh vessel for beans too - sounds like a big win!
@@rileydmcdonald 2 benefits I've heard people talk about are that it makes the machine a bit quieter and you can use the lid as a bellows. I care a little about #1 and a lot about #2. It's super cheap, so I bought it (for my Virtuoso) yesterday. It should arrive on Monday, If you get it, I'd love to see a before and after sound comparison like you did in your M2 upgrade video. And I'm curious what you think about what the lid does for retention.
Ooh cool! I didn't know it worked as a bellows. I definitely will do a noise comparison (that's huge to me) and I'll keep everyone posted on the retention thing. Definitely sounds like I should get one, so... Video is a matter of time!
@@rileydmcdonald I got mine in today, and the lid is tight enough ot trap air, but there's not a lot of distance to play with. I think the best method to push air is to tap the top of the lid with some force to push what air you can quickly into the grinder. I'll try that tomorrow, when i make my morning joe.
Okay, I had my cuppa this morning, and here are the retention results: ruclips.net/video/qZARi2yqmIA/видео.html That's better retention clearance than I've gotten (in an Encore or Virtuoso, anyway) with any other method.
Thanks for the update. I've had my standard Encore for about 3 weeks now. I've been achieving good performance as-is using position 3 for my espresso made with bottomless portafilter on my Capresso EC Pro. You hit the nail on the head with slight adjustments through accurate weighing. I dialed in great performance. Even 0.1 - 0.2 grams makes a difference. I'm really happy with the grinder and scale combination. Any other advanced amateurs out there considering the Encore but see other reviews that say it can't do espresso well? I say save a few bucks and go for it. Riley's results show the grinder does a great job. A scale is must too.
I upgraded to the M2 burr last month. I have to recommend buying a drive shaft along with the M2 burr, since it's super easy to ruin the old drive shaft with your tools while trying to get the M3 burr off it. My pliers mangled the part of the drive shaft that was supposed to fit snug on the main gear.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I think I've had my Encore for at least 3 years now and recently started noticing uneven grinding. Using Baratza's online troubleshooting guide I realized that all three flanges on the plastic burr holder have broken off in my unit. I'm going to order a replacement. Maybe in the near future I'll attempt the burr upgrade. If so, I'll definitely be revisiting your videos. I don't know if you are a home coffee roaster also but if you ever decide to give it a try I can highly recommend the Fresh Roast SR800 air roaster. I've been a home roaster since 2013 and I find the Fresh Roast to be much like the Encore. A value for money product with great customer service. Cheers!
Thanks so much for watching and the kind words and the tip! I'm not a home roaster... Yet? That might be too far down the rabbit hole of coffee, even for me. But I guess never say never. I'll keep this in mind if I do!
@@rileydmcdonald Go for it. Your videos show that you've got some good tinkering skills, so I'd suggest looking into building yourself a "Corretto" roaster using a surplus bread maker and electric heat gun (I prefer the Porter Cable) with digital temperature monitoring so you can profile your roasts. It's inexpensive, fun to build and mine will do up to a pound. There are many great sources for single origin unroasted beans just waiting to be tried.
Just did mine today and I'm already loving it! My machine was less than a year old (my ring burr wasn't worn) so I just got the conical Burr. I got the old burr out with vice grips, a wrench, a hammer, and a firm tap. Haven't done much testing but I definitely noticed less fines in my pour over. It also seems a bit quieter and faster; I'd love to see a comparison with the single dose hopper!
Thanks. Received my burr, now waiting for the new outer ring. Baratza advised me to change the paddle wheel at the same time as machine is disassembled anyway. That was only $3.10 Canadian so I ordered that one too.
I just had to replace my paddle wheel and took the opportunity to upgrade the burr. Top tip: Don't mess with the vice grips. I found this to do a better job of scratching the burr than cracking the burr loose. I also didn't tear the housing apart and remove the motor. Instead, I used a 21mm 12-point socket, breaker bar and a rubber mallet. I applied pressure downward on the socket toward the burr enough so that it wouldn't slip, which wedged the socket firmly on the burr, then used a rubber mallet to hit the breaker bar. It took a few tries, but it cracked the burr loose w/o tearing the assembly apart, and didn't mare the burr at all. The breaker bar is considerably longer than the vice grip, so when you hit it you should get more mechanical advantage and a higher torque on the burr.
Great video I stumbled on. Now I’m gonna look for some information on your bambino setup. I didn’t know you could do that with that machine! Looks tasty!
Thanks for watching and glad I could help! It is tasty but it's a neverending rabbit hole. I've settled on a setup that works well: - using only medium-dark to dark roast beans. - using my upgraded Encore with M2 burr, set to between 4 and 6 on the grind scale. - using between 17.6-18.1g of coffee in to 32-35g out. - using a bottomless portafilter with a single-walled basket. - using a calibrated tamper, a twist tie, and a distribution tool (you can find my full method in this video: ruclips.net/video/nXhjL-T0FOY/видео.html) - pressing and holding the button for manual pre-infusion and letting go when I see coffee on the bottom of the basket. - stopping the water (by pressing the button again) when my scale reaches 32g (it happens fast, so it's not always extremely precise). The remaining drips and dribbles usually bring it to 35g or so.
Very helpful video (along with the previous M2 upgrade vid). I think this has pretty much convinced me to do the M2 upgrade (along with the single-dose hopper). I really like my Encore, but I want better performance, less noise, and single-dosing. An upgraded Encore seems like a good incremental step until it becomes possible to actually buy a Niche Zero without major hassles (or someone starts selling a reasonable competitor to it).
Did you see Hoffman's video about the "Niche Killer"? It's not as pretty and some of the usability is a little weird, but it seems like the performance is really really good for espresso and filter coffee. And it's hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Niche. And, y'know... Possible to get. I love the idea of a Niche Zero but they're SO EXPENSIVE if you live in North America. If you can get it at all. But everyone loves them and they're so pretty... Sigh. I think if I get to a point I want to up my espresso grinding game I'll probably stick with Baratza. The customer service, ease of buying, and parts available are huge. They're well-rated for performance too, so the equation seems right. The Sette 270Wi seems like the perfect feature set - and I like the way it looks. Maybe a little more aggressive and less Bauhaus than the Niche, but I'm not made of money! Lol
@@rileydmcdonald I did see that one! On one hand, the price/performance ratio is compelling. On the other hand, I do think some of the user experience quirks would bug me over time. Hopefully modding my Encore will hold me over for a while, until the newer single-dosers get some design updates. It seems like there are a handful of options that are close to what I want, but each has some sort of Achilles heel.
And you may have answered this in your other video, but how did the grind settings compare with the M2 vs M3 burr? Is 20 still 20? Baratza definitely recommends changing the ring burr with the cone burr. And for $16, why wouldn't you? Also, while you're at it, change the felt washer (it'll need it) and paddle (part that cone burr fits into). Packaged together, they're $3.50. Someone below mentioned using a socket to remove cone burr from above. Sooo much easier. I used an impact driver with a 21mm socket. Only need the driver to break loose the burr. Just a quick tap or two and then hand screw off. Critical: wing nut and burr are reverse-threaded. Remove clockwise, reinstall CCW. Finger tight is sufficient in the install. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for watching and thank YOU for the info! To be honest, I haven't been tracking super closely what the grind size is comparatively. I've never had a method (aside from eyeballing) of measuring grind size, but as far as I know it's the same. I've actually designated my Encore an espresso grinder now, so I only ever have it between 4 and 6. It's decently predictable that way. As for the burr thing, I didn't learn it was recommended to replace both until I'd already bought the inner burr, and the place I bought it from only sells the ring burr as part of a set. If I'd ordered the set from the get-go it would've only been $10 more... But if you have to order both together, you're paying for it twice! Haha. Oh well.
@@rileydmcdonald After grinding several batches, mine actually grinds slightly finer with the new burr(s) vs the M3. Started at standard 20 for drip grind, and it was a little too fine. 22 is the new 20. Not hard to understand really. A tiny difference in stack-up would make a difference in the final product. Each case is probably going to vary a little. Thanks again.
Thanks for the helpful videos! I actually have the Encore stepless for over half a year now, without problems of the hopper drifting during grinding. I wonder why? Maybe because I calibrated mine towards the other side of the spectrum since that felt like a tighter fit when changing the calibration? I would have to open it again. I may also just be lucky with the specific machine I have 🤷♂️?
Did you also adjust the grind collar (removing the small phillips screw, rotating the collar to the right and replacing the screw two gaps over to the right?) That is a standard grind adjustment (moving it to the right will shift the grinder from a course preset to a fine preset). I found this alone allowed me a finer espresso grind that if I buy it pre-ground from like local coffee shop…with lots of control between 11 (the lowest setting for espresso after doing this adjustment) and 39 (the highest setting for a course grind after doing this adjustment). Thanks for the update on the stepless…I had thought of removing the peg and now I’m glad I didn’t.
I didn't mess with the calibration because I was afraid of going too close together. Baratza told me a metal-on-metal sound is okay where I had it (you can start to hear it at 10), but where does yours make the sound?
Minor quibble about the music. It’s a very short loop with no variation. That and no “ducking” of levels. After a minute or so my brain locked onto it to the distraction of your content. Your voice ended up becoming background to the loop for me. This is just a production note, not criticism of you! Thanks for sharing this I’m just getting into brewing my own coffee and had just gotten this grinder. Very interesting.
Not much to say, really! I found the upgrade to be helpful because it seemed to make the grind sizes more consistent, and for pour overs that's really important. I found the timing of my pour overs was more consistent, and what I mean by that is: at the same grind setting with the same beans, using the same pouring method and water, I could get the timing right more often (finished its draw down by 3:30 or so).
@@rileydmcdonald I had the M2 burr fitted and then followed your video and the one linked below. I actually moved the screw over to right side like other creator mentions, he says it's makes it even finer? I did end up with super fine powder. Now my shots are consistently good, with little or no channeling. ruclips.net/video/mesRQ2ZdMS4/видео.html
Thanks for the update, I just ordered the M2 burr! Will be interesting to see how it affects my moka pot and Aeropress brews. As an aside, what are your go to beans for espresso?
Keep me posted on that! I hope you like it. I change up beans pretty regularly, so tough question! Winnipeg has a burgeoning scene of local roasters producing great stuff all the time. It's hard to choose. Right now I'm digging Cafe Colombian by Colosimo Coffee Roasters. Prior to that I used Abakundakawa from Harrisons Coffee Co. I tend to prefer anything with chocolate in the notes, at least for espresso. For pourovers or Aeropress, I like fruity and sweet beans, especially from Ethiopia (Guji has some really good berry notes, in my limited experience). Harrisons, Thom Bargen, and Empty Cup Collective all roast great fruity beans.
@@rileydmcdonald I swapped the M2 burr on and will report back on results later. It almost looks like Baratza ground down the M2 burr to make the inferior Encore burr. The swap only took a minute using a 21mm socket and an impact wrench. If anyone else is doing the upgrade and reading this, remember that the burr is reverse threaded and to index the plastic paddle wheel to the new burr. I removed the paddle wheel and threaded the burr on with the paddle wheel "attached." Having the grinder upside down helps prevent the paddle wheel from separating from the burr.
@@rileydmcdonald And thanks for the recommendations! I'll check those out once I've finished my Pilot Colombia and Costa Rica single origins. I've also really enjoyed Detour Punchbuggy and Bouncy Castle and Phil & Seb R1.
@@icowrich Very happy with it! Worth it alone for the quieter and faster operation. I want to say the grinds are more consistent but I have no way of verifying that. FWIW I only use position 10 for Aeropress
Can you share the washer/burr sketch from Baratza? I am planning to do the upgrade (but not go stepless) this weekend and have a feeling it might be useful haha.
FYI the outside "ring" burr is the same for the Encore and Virtuoso+ so your not "upgrading" anythng by changing it out other than making it new. It's cheap though $16.
Thank you! That's good to know. They recommend changing both of them so they wear together, but I only changed the inner one and everything seems fine.
For those thinking about buying an Encore and upgrading, you should buy the virtuoso instead. You’ll spend nearly the same amount and get a better motor. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching! I'm checking with Baratza on this because I've seen a few articles suggesting they're the same motor and a few saying they're slightly different. Main difference is speed, which isn't that big of a deal - the Virtuoso mostly means better burr set, a built-in grind timer, and better materials. Upgrading the Encore for $30-$50 is still cheaper than the Virtuoso if you don't care about those things!
@@rileydmcdonald thanks for the reply! I have the virtuoso. I can’t say for sure, but in my experience it is def faster and quieter than the encore. Might just be in my head. I was primarily watching to see if it’s worth it to remove the clicker. I’m grateful that you posted this. It would be nice if there was a mod for making it stepless that actually works.
@@nathana3170 I think it may just be faster because of the M2 burr upgrade. My understanding is that all the internals are identical…with the virtuoso having the upgraded burr and a more “bling.”
New to your channel. Just got the m2 upgrade kit for my virtuoso, your video laid it all out, will be installIng soon. I do have a question, I’ve read that there is a micro adjustment screw under the covers on the grinder, have you seen this? Thanks.
There is and I have! I didn't mess with the screw because it's generally for calibration purposes and it made me nervous changing that. I've heard of others changing the placement of that screw, but I wasn't comfortable doing the trial and error it would take.
For Pour-overs the steps are just fine. For Espresso, for me, there is no way. I used a rubber band as friction so my hopper isn't moving. Great video though.
Thanks for watching and for the comment! Fair about the adjustments. I have really good luck just leaving it on 4, or wedged between 4 and 6, and I played around with dose a bit (upping or lowering by 0.2g at a time) and it really does help. But to be fair, no amount of coffee is too much when I'm making espresso, so I don't mind messing with dose 😛
Thank you so much! I'm using a small spray bottle, and I don't use it all the time. I only do a little spritz and I shake/stir the beans thoroughly so they absorb the water. You got rust? Yikes! Have you contacted Breville about it?
@@rileydmcdonald Nope, i havent. I was looking to upgrade my burrs but im not sure if the top one is made of stainless steel. I think im going to ask them directly.
@@rileydmcdonald I found that unlisted video via reddit as well and its very easy. I suspect its unlisted because Baratza doesn't want to be responsible for the the liability of damaging the burr on removal with the vise grip. I got the M2 in mine and its great, I only do pourover for now but will experiment with a Silvia for espresso soon
Months later I'd say it is worth it! And there's an easier way of taking it apart than I did - you can use vice grips to loosen the existing burr and unscrew it. You'll damage the burr, but if you're okay with that it's a lot less hassle than taking the whole thing apart.
At the time I bought this, I don't think Breville had bought Baratza and their grinders weren't as good. Now that would be a decent option though, you're right! That said, since I made this video I upgraded my grinder to a Varia VS3 and I like it a LOT better. It's more consistent for espresso and I can switch between espresso and filter coffee no problem. It also looks and sounds way better and is designed for single dosing. I'd highly recommend it over the Encore or the Barista pro. Actually, based on sale prices right now and what I got my Bambino for ($430 Canadian on sale at Best Buy, but that was years ago), it was actually cheaper to get a Bambino Plus and a Varia VS3 than it is to buy a Barista Pro. Based on the current prices it's almost the same price, and I'd rather have a standalone grinder than something built in anyway.
@@rileydmcdonald really nice, but barista pro is is still a better buy. Not saying your setup is not good enough, just the m2 burrs (Encore ESP) is a very capable grinder and being offered at a bargain. Barista Pro goes on sale very often. And if anyone ever updates their grinder, it’s not a bad idea to keep a spare grinder!
My tip for those wanting to enjoy great espresso: go to a café with very good espresso making equipment & trained, competent baristas. Otherwise, bon courage!!!
The Baratza encore is old technology no longer worth considering. It cannot make quality espresso regardless of mods. It’s an exercise in futility. Those that think they can are only fooling themselves and often realize this when they experience a high line coffee grinder or a very well made hand grinder. Don’t buy the encore or it’s upgrades, and if you own one throw it on eBay. You are missing out on great coffee!
I mostly agree with you (and believe me, I have my eye on other grinders), but I think there's a segment of people out there who want to make better espresso but don't want to buy an expensive espresso grinder - specifically maybe people who got a home machine like a Breville or DeLonghi and have only ever bought pre-ground coffee. I also think there's a segment of those people who won't want to buy hand grinders (hard pill to swallow buying a pricey hand grinder when you're starting out, plus it takes FOREVER to grind fine enough). I've had decent luck leaving my Encore between a 4-6 and using a Timemore C2 for pourovers/French press (that way I never have to worry about the retention/re-dialing issues with the Encore when I want espresso again). I know it's not the best espresso I could be getting, but it's a good "for now" solution. It's fairly likely you can sell an Encore on the used market when you're ready to upgrade anyway. It's unfortunate there's such a price gulf between "grinders that are capable of doing espresso" and "grinders that excel at espresso," but until there isn't, I think using an Encore is a decent solution for someone just starting out on a limited budget.
@@rileydmcdonald there are hand grinders that take less then 30 seconds. Often faster then the Baratza encore and are cheaper. While getting top notch espresso. Anyone buying an encore or the like will get burnt out of the espresso hobby quickly with its constant bitter or sour shots and never being able to consistently obtain God shots
@@brandonbrown821 this is the point I’m trying to make. Why spend $170-180 for the encore when you can spend $139 for a 1zpresso JX that not only tastes way better, grinds faster, less retention, but is capable of making espresso too.
On a reddit thread someone mentioned flipping the stepper bit upside down which will make it stepless but also keep the hopper in place.
I bought an encore today partly based on your upgrade videos. It was great to see how baratza supports its products.
Hey that's awesome! I'm so glad to hear this could help and I hope you love the grinder! And yeah their support is crazy good. Among the best customer service I've ever had.
When I removed the old burr I used a clean 13/16-inch socket, short extension, ratchet handle and a gentle clockwise tap to easily remove the burr. Thx for the vids. It is helped me decide to purchase an Encore for drip & French press.
Good advice! And thanks for watching - glad I could help you 😊
Thanks for this content! I agree with others who say the music is to loud/repetitive. Next time, turn it down until it really becomes "background music."
It’s pretty sick how Baratza actually HELPS with these mods! That’s unheard of.
Man, thank you for the detailed review. I knew there was an easier way to replace the burr but couldn’t find a good description of the process. Swapping was just as easy as the video you linked made it look. Took less than two minutes.
That's awesome! I'm so glad I could help. Happy grinding! 😊
Looks like they took down or maybe reposted that video
Great vid! I would suggest adding the Baratza single dose hopper. This has helped big time with retention and popcorning. Also gives the grinder a sleeker look if that matters to you haha
Thank you for the tip! I've had my eye on the single-dose hopper but I've been chicken to pull the trigger. I love the fact you can use the top as a weigh vessel for beans too - sounds like a big win!
@@rileydmcdonald 2 benefits I've heard people talk about are that it makes the machine a bit quieter and you can use the lid as a bellows. I care a little about #1 and a lot about #2. It's super cheap, so I bought it (for my Virtuoso) yesterday. It should arrive on Monday, If you get it, I'd love to see a before and after sound comparison like you did in your M2 upgrade video. And I'm curious what you think about what the lid does for retention.
Ooh cool! I didn't know it worked as a bellows. I definitely will do a noise comparison (that's huge to me) and I'll keep everyone posted on the retention thing.
Definitely sounds like I should get one, so... Video is a matter of time!
@@rileydmcdonald I got mine in today, and the lid is tight enough ot trap air, but there's not a lot of distance to play with. I think the best method to push air is to tap the top of the lid with some force to push what air you can quickly into the grinder. I'll try that tomorrow, when i make my morning joe.
Okay, I had my cuppa this morning, and here are the retention results: ruclips.net/video/qZARi2yqmIA/видео.html
That's better retention clearance than I've gotten (in an Encore or Virtuoso, anyway) with any other method.
Thanks for the update. I've had my standard Encore for about 3 weeks now. I've been achieving good performance as-is using position 3 for my espresso made with bottomless portafilter on my Capresso EC Pro. You hit the nail on the head with slight adjustments through accurate weighing. I dialed in great performance. Even 0.1 - 0.2 grams makes a difference. I'm really happy with the grinder and scale combination.
Any other advanced amateurs out there considering the Encore but see other reviews that say it can't do espresso well? I say save a few bucks and go for it. Riley's results show the grinder does a great job. A scale is must too.
Good stuff! That's great to hear. Thank you for watching and happy brewing! 😊
I upgraded to the M2 burr last month. I have to recommend buying a drive shaft along with the M2 burr, since it's super easy to ruin the old drive shaft with your tools while trying to get the M3 burr off it. My pliers mangled the part of the drive shaft that was supposed to fit snug on the main gear.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I think I've had my Encore for at least 3 years now and recently started noticing uneven grinding. Using Baratza's online troubleshooting guide I realized that all three flanges on the plastic burr holder have broken off in my unit. I'm going to order a replacement. Maybe in the near future I'll attempt the burr upgrade. If so, I'll definitely be revisiting your videos. I don't know if you are a home coffee roaster also but if you ever decide to give it a try I can highly recommend the Fresh Roast SR800 air roaster. I've been a home roaster since 2013 and I find the Fresh Roast to be much like the Encore. A value for money product with great customer service. Cheers!
Thanks so much for watching and the kind words and the tip! I'm not a home roaster... Yet? That might be too far down the rabbit hole of coffee, even for me. But I guess never say never. I'll keep this in mind if I do!
@@rileydmcdonald Go for it. Your videos show that you've got some good tinkering skills, so I'd suggest looking into building yourself a "Corretto" roaster using a surplus bread maker and electric heat gun (I prefer the Porter Cable) with digital temperature monitoring so you can profile your roasts. It's inexpensive, fun to build and mine will do up to a pound. There are many great sources for single origin unroasted beans just waiting to be tried.
Just did mine today and I'm already loving it! My machine was less than a year old (my ring burr wasn't worn) so I just got the conical Burr. I got the old burr out with vice grips, a wrench, a hammer, and a firm tap. Haven't done much testing but I definitely noticed less fines in my pour over. It also seems a bit quieter and faster; I'd love to see a comparison with the single dose hopper!
Enjoyed the video, but I personally found the music was a bit loud compared to your voice.
Thanks for the feedback! I'll make sure the mixing is better in my next one. :)
Thanks. Received my burr, now waiting for the new outer ring. Baratza advised me to change the paddle wheel at the same time as machine is disassembled anyway. That was only $3.10 Canadian so I ordered that one too.
I just had to replace my paddle wheel and took the opportunity to upgrade the burr. Top tip: Don't mess with the vice grips. I found this to do a better job of scratching the burr than cracking the burr loose. I also didn't tear the housing apart and remove the motor. Instead, I used a 21mm 12-point socket, breaker bar and a rubber mallet. I applied pressure downward on the socket toward the burr enough so that it wouldn't slip, which wedged the socket firmly on the burr, then used a rubber mallet to hit the breaker bar. It took a few tries, but it cracked the burr loose w/o tearing the assembly apart, and didn't mare the burr at all. The breaker bar is considerably longer than the vice grip, so when you hit it you should get more mechanical advantage and a higher torque on the burr.
A wonderful video again buddy!
:) Thank you very much!
Great video I stumbled on. Now I’m gonna look for some information on your bambino setup. I didn’t know you could do that with that machine! Looks tasty!
Thanks for watching and glad I could help! It is tasty but it's a neverending rabbit hole. I've settled on a setup that works well:
- using only medium-dark to dark roast beans.
- using my upgraded Encore with M2 burr, set to between 4 and 6 on the grind scale.
- using between 17.6-18.1g of coffee in to 32-35g out.
- using a bottomless portafilter with a single-walled basket.
- using a calibrated tamper, a twist tie, and a distribution tool (you can find my full method in this video: ruclips.net/video/nXhjL-T0FOY/видео.html)
- pressing and holding the button for manual pre-infusion and letting go when I see coffee on the bottom of the basket.
- stopping the water (by pressing the button again) when my scale reaches 32g (it happens fast, so it's not always extremely precise). The remaining drips and dribbles usually bring it to 35g or so.
I have a small (size of my hand) electric air blower. I use it to give a little burst of air to clear retention.
Very helpful video (along with the previous M2 upgrade vid). I think this has pretty much convinced me to do the M2 upgrade (along with the single-dose hopper).
I really like my Encore, but I want better performance, less noise, and single-dosing. An upgraded Encore seems like a good incremental step until it becomes possible to actually buy a Niche Zero without major hassles (or someone starts selling a reasonable competitor to it).
Did you see Hoffman's video about the "Niche Killer"? It's not as pretty and some of the usability is a little weird, but it seems like the performance is really really good for espresso and filter coffee. And it's hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Niche. And, y'know... Possible to get.
I love the idea of a Niche Zero but they're SO EXPENSIVE if you live in North America. If you can get it at all. But everyone loves them and they're so pretty... Sigh.
I think if I get to a point I want to up my espresso grinding game I'll probably stick with Baratza. The customer service, ease of buying, and parts available are huge. They're well-rated for performance too, so the equation seems right. The Sette 270Wi seems like the perfect feature set - and I like the way it looks. Maybe a little more aggressive and less Bauhaus than the Niche, but I'm not made of money! Lol
@@rileydmcdonald I did see that one! On one hand, the price/performance ratio is compelling. On the other hand, I do think some of the user experience quirks would bug me over time. Hopefully modding my Encore will hold me over for a while, until the newer single-dosers get some design updates. It seems like there are a handful of options that are close to what I want, but each has some sort of Achilles heel.
And you may have answered this in your other video, but how did the grind settings compare with the M2 vs M3 burr? Is 20 still 20? Baratza definitely recommends changing the ring burr with the cone burr. And for $16, why wouldn't you? Also, while you're at it, change the felt washer (it'll need it) and paddle (part that cone burr fits into). Packaged together, they're $3.50. Someone below mentioned using a socket to remove cone burr from above. Sooo much easier. I used an impact driver with a 21mm socket. Only need the driver to break loose the burr. Just a quick tap or two and then hand screw off. Critical: wing nut and burr are reverse-threaded. Remove clockwise, reinstall CCW. Finger tight is sufficient in the install. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for watching and thank YOU for the info!
To be honest, I haven't been tracking super closely what the grind size is comparatively. I've never had a method (aside from eyeballing) of measuring grind size, but as far as I know it's the same. I've actually designated my Encore an espresso grinder now, so I only ever have it between 4 and 6. It's decently predictable that way.
As for the burr thing, I didn't learn it was recommended to replace both until I'd already bought the inner burr, and the place I bought it from only sells the ring burr as part of a set. If I'd ordered the set from the get-go it would've only been $10 more... But if you have to order both together, you're paying for it twice! Haha. Oh well.
@@rileydmcdonald After grinding several batches, mine actually grinds slightly finer with the new burr(s) vs the M3. Started at standard 20 for drip grind, and it was a little too fine. 22 is the new 20. Not hard to understand really. A tiny difference in stack-up would make a difference in the final product. Each case is probably going to vary a little. Thanks again.
Thanks for the helpful videos!
I actually have the Encore stepless for over half a year now, without problems of the hopper drifting during grinding. I wonder why? Maybe because I calibrated mine towards the other side of the spectrum since that felt like a tighter fit when changing the calibration? I would have to open it again. I may also just be lucky with the specific machine I have 🤷♂️?
Did you also adjust the grind collar (removing the small phillips screw, rotating the collar to the right and replacing the screw two gaps over to the right?) That is a standard grind adjustment (moving it to the right will shift the grinder from a course preset to a fine preset). I found this alone allowed me a finer espresso grind that if I buy it pre-ground from like local coffee shop…with lots of control between 11 (the lowest setting for espresso after doing this adjustment) and 39 (the highest setting for a course grind after doing this adjustment). Thanks for the update on the stepless…I had thought of removing the peg and now I’m glad I didn’t.
I didn't mess with the calibration because I was afraid of going too close together. Baratza told me a metal-on-metal sound is okay where I had it (you can start to hear it at 10), but where does yours make the sound?
Great tutorial. From Treaty No. 1 as well. Just called De Luca’s and they have the M2 in stock, but I don’t think I can do it myself. Lol
You can do it! It's easier than it seems.
Minor quibble about the music. It’s a very short loop with no variation. That and no “ducking” of levels. After a minute or so my brain locked onto it to the distraction of your content. Your voice ended up becoming background to the loop for me. This is just a production note, not criticism of you! Thanks for sharing this I’m just getting into brewing my own coffee and had just gotten this grinder. Very interesting.
Thank you for the suggestion! Working on getting better with music in my videos, and it's harder than it looks!
Terrific videos! You mentioned you have a way easier time making pour overs. Can you say more about that?
Not much to say, really! I found the upgrade to be helpful because it seemed to make the grind sizes more consistent, and for pour overs that's really important. I found the timing of my pour overs was more consistent, and what I mean by that is: at the same grind setting with the same beans, using the same pouring method and water, I could get the timing right more often (finished its draw down by 3:30 or so).
@@rileydmcdonald I had the M2 burr fitted and then followed your video and the one linked below. I actually moved the screw over to right side like other creator mentions, he says it's makes it even finer? I did end up with super fine powder. Now my shots are consistently good, with little or no channeling. ruclips.net/video/mesRQ2ZdMS4/видео.html
Thanks for the update, I just ordered the M2 burr! Will be interesting to see how it affects my moka pot and Aeropress brews. As an aside, what are your go to beans for espresso?
Keep me posted on that! I hope you like it.
I change up beans pretty regularly, so tough question! Winnipeg has a burgeoning scene of local roasters producing great stuff all the time. It's hard to choose. Right now I'm digging Cafe Colombian by Colosimo Coffee Roasters. Prior to that I used Abakundakawa from Harrisons Coffee Co. I tend to prefer anything with chocolate in the notes, at least for espresso.
For pourovers or Aeropress, I like fruity and sweet beans, especially from Ethiopia (Guji has some really good berry notes, in my limited experience). Harrisons, Thom Bargen, and Empty Cup Collective all roast great fruity beans.
@@rileydmcdonald I swapped the M2 burr on and will report back on results later. It almost looks like Baratza ground down the M2 burr to make the inferior Encore burr.
The swap only took a minute using a 21mm socket and an impact wrench. If anyone else is doing the upgrade and reading this, remember that the burr is reverse threaded and to index the plastic paddle wheel to the new burr. I removed the paddle wheel and threaded the burr on with the paddle wheel "attached." Having the grinder upside down helps prevent the paddle wheel from separating from the burr.
@@rileydmcdonald And thanks for the recommendations! I'll check those out once I've finished my Pilot Colombia and Costa Rica single origins. I've also really enjoyed Detour Punchbuggy and Bouncy Castle and Phil & Seb R1.
@@dong_chim How are you liking the M2?
@@icowrich Very happy with it! Worth it alone for the quieter and faster operation. I want to say the grinds are more consistent but I have no way of verifying that. FWIW I only use position 10 for Aeropress
Can you share the washer/burr sketch from Baratza? I am planning to do the upgrade (but not go stepless) this weekend and have a feeling it might be useful haha.
Definitely! Here you go: drive.google.com/file/d/1YRR6fm1I7m-37ddVlazyq4OUOcQ6A_n1/view?usp=sharing
FYI the outside "ring" burr is the same for the Encore and Virtuoso+ so your not "upgrading" anythng by changing it out other than making it new.
It's cheap though $16.
Thank you! That's good to know. They recommend changing both of them so they wear together, but I only changed the inner one and everything seems fine.
For those thinking about buying an Encore and upgrading, you should buy the virtuoso instead. You’ll spend nearly the same amount and get a better motor. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching! I'm checking with Baratza on this because I've seen a few articles suggesting they're the same motor and a few saying they're slightly different. Main difference is speed, which isn't that big of a deal - the Virtuoso mostly means better burr set, a built-in grind timer, and better materials. Upgrading the Encore for $30-$50 is still cheaper than the Virtuoso if you don't care about those things!
@@rileydmcdonald thanks for the reply! I have the virtuoso. I can’t say for sure, but in my experience it is def faster and quieter than the encore. Might just be in my head. I was primarily watching to see if it’s worth it to remove the clicker. I’m grateful that you posted this. It would be nice if there was a mod for making it stepless that actually works.
I think Nathan is referring to the cost of the upper and lower burr which is about $100.
@@nathana3170 I think it may just be faster because of the M2 burr upgrade. My understanding is that all the internals are identical…with the virtuoso having the upgraded burr and a more “bling.”
New to your channel. Just got the m2 upgrade kit for my virtuoso, your video laid it all out, will be installIng soon. I do have a question, I’ve read that there is a micro adjustment screw under the covers on the grinder, have you seen this? Thanks.
There is and I have! I didn't mess with the screw because it's generally for calibration purposes and it made me nervous changing that. I've heard of others changing the placement of that screw, but I wasn't comfortable doing the trial and error it would take.
For Pour-overs the steps are just fine. For Espresso, for me, there is no way. I used a rubber band as friction so my hopper isn't moving. Great video though.
Thanks for watching and for the comment! Fair about the adjustments. I have really good luck just leaving it on 4, or wedged between 4 and 6, and I played around with dose a bit (upping or lowering by 0.2g at a time) and it really does help. But to be fair, no amount of coffee is too much when I'm making espresso, so I don't mind messing with dose 😛
Great video! Are you using the water droplets or spray to avoid static? Im asking because i did that and my Encore burrs started to get rust. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I'm using a small spray bottle, and I don't use it all the time. I only do a little spritz and I shake/stir the beans thoroughly so they absorb the water.
You got rust? Yikes! Have you contacted Breville about it?
@@rileydmcdonald Nope, i havent. I was looking to upgrade my burrs but im not sure if the top one is made of stainless steel. I think im going to ask them directly.
Definitely email or call them! They're great. Super friendly and customer service was wicked.
I use neither and haven't had any issue with static cling. That's one of the things I've enjoyed about the Encore.
What, the vice grip video is so easy. Why is it unlisted??
Good question! I'm not sure, but it's a good video!
@@rileydmcdonald I found that unlisted video via reddit as well and its very easy. I suspect its unlisted because Baratza doesn't want to be responsible for the the liability of damaging the burr on removal with the vise grip. I got the M2 in mine and its great, I only do pourover for now but will experiment with a Silvia for espresso soon
Where is your shirt from?
American Eagle!
Wow how did you get Ron Howard to do this video
He's a personal friend of mine
Which burr? And when?
Respectfully, you must be a fan of James Hoffman lol.
Big time!
I learned the answer was no from watching the first video.
Months later I'd say it is worth it! And there's an easier way of taking it apart than I did - you can use vice grips to loosen the existing burr and unscrew it. You'll damage the burr, but if you're okay with that it's a lot less hassle than taking the whole thing apart.
You could’ve purchased Barista Pro instead of Bambino and save some money + some extra features! (Barista Pro comes with M2 burrs) Just saying
At the time I bought this, I don't think Breville had bought Baratza and their grinders weren't as good. Now that would be a decent option though, you're right!
That said, since I made this video I upgraded my grinder to a Varia VS3 and I like it a LOT better. It's more consistent for espresso and I can switch between espresso and filter coffee no problem. It also looks and sounds way better and is designed for single dosing. I'd highly recommend it over the Encore or the Barista pro.
Actually, based on sale prices right now and what I got my Bambino for ($430 Canadian on sale at Best Buy, but that was years ago), it was actually cheaper to get a Bambino Plus and a Varia VS3 than it is to buy a Barista Pro. Based on the current prices it's almost the same price, and I'd rather have a standalone grinder than something built in anyway.
@@rileydmcdonald really nice, but barista pro is is still a better buy. Not saying your setup is not good enough, just the m2 burrs (Encore ESP) is a very capable grinder and being offered at a bargain. Barista Pro goes on sale very often. And if anyone ever updates their grinder, it’s not a bad idea to keep a spare grinder!
Thom Bargen Coffee? :)
Yep! Love them.
My tip for those wanting to enjoy great espresso: go to a café with very good espresso making equipment & trained, competent baristas. Otherwise, bon courage!!!
It can definitely be a pain but all hope is not lost at home! You can make something decent if you're committed to a lot of tweaking haha
Pour-overs: "I hate having a machine do the work for me! I'm gonna do it old-school!"
Ha, yeah - it's definitely more of a pain to make coffee that way. More control though!
The Baratza encore is old technology no longer worth considering. It cannot make quality espresso regardless of mods. It’s an exercise in futility. Those that think they can are only fooling themselves and often realize this when they experience a high line coffee grinder or a very well made hand grinder. Don’t buy the encore or it’s upgrades, and if you own one throw it on eBay. You are missing out on great coffee!
I mostly agree with you (and believe me, I have my eye on other grinders), but I think there's a segment of people out there who want to make better espresso but don't want to buy an expensive espresso grinder - specifically maybe people who got a home machine like a Breville or DeLonghi and have only ever bought pre-ground coffee. I also think there's a segment of those people who won't want to buy hand grinders (hard pill to swallow buying a pricey hand grinder when you're starting out, plus it takes FOREVER to grind fine enough).
I've had decent luck leaving my Encore between a 4-6 and using a Timemore C2 for pourovers/French press (that way I never have to worry about the retention/re-dialing issues with the Encore when I want espresso again). I know it's not the best espresso I could be getting, but it's a good "for now" solution. It's fairly likely you can sell an Encore on the used market when you're ready to upgrade anyway.
It's unfortunate there's such a price gulf between "grinders that are capable of doing espresso" and "grinders that excel at espresso," but until there isn't, I think using an Encore is a decent solution for someone just starting out on a limited budget.
@@rileydmcdonald there are hand grinders that take less then 30 seconds. Often faster then the Baratza encore and are cheaper. While getting top notch espresso. Anyone buying an encore or the like will get burnt out of the espresso hobby quickly with its constant bitter or sour shots and never being able to consistently obtain God shots
Fair point.
@@brandonbrown821 and I’m sure the encore taste muddy and dull compared to the Kinu
@@brandonbrown821 this is the point I’m trying to make. Why spend $170-180 for the encore when you can spend $139 for a 1zpresso JX that not only tastes way better, grinds faster, less retention, but is capable of making espresso too.