They give coffee the glamour and respect it deserves and the education is always appropriated . They don’t hate people for staying within their price rage and income . Very few people own rocket espresso machines or $1,500 grinders 😂😂👍🏻👍🏻.
I just checked the order date and it turns out I got my Encore from you guys almost exactly eight years prior to this video being posted. So, it has ground on the order of 3000 cups for me (daily pour over, set to "15", very occasional french press at "30"). I take the burrs out and clean it regularly (at least every three years 😂), and have not had a single issue or complaint, it's a rock solid little machine. I like it so much that I bought two more as gifts. I find that if you can avoid washing the grounds box, it gets "oiled up" a bit and that suppresses the static to almost nothing. I'll bet this is true for almost all plastic catch boxes?
Thank you so much for comparing all these burr grinders for people who want to get into ground coffee without paying too much. I feel like all these 4 models are the perfect entry level products to get into coffee for beginners so thanks for making such an extensive and detailed review of them, cheers :)
Thank you for the review. I have the Baratza Encore and love it. It is $40 more than the Scala at this point. I like that I can get parts for it and can even upgrade to the M2 burs. I understand that someone buying a new grinder is not looking to spend $35 more to upgrade the burs on a newly purchased grinder. I don't have a problem with static if I tap the grounds container or let the grounds sit in the container for a couple minutes.
Neil I agree 100% with everything you say! I have been using an Encore with the m2 burs upgrade at home and a Virtuoso+ at my office for several years now and both are wonderful! Baratza customer service and support has been excellent! I'm hoping that things will stay the same at Baratza regarding parts availability and the great customer service that I've received in the past now that Brevel has purchased them. I've been less than happy with Brevel products both in reliability and longevity. As far as Brevel parts being available and customer service. .....both are in need of improvement. Only my opinion with past experiences.
One thing to note about the Capresso is that if the knob breaks, which is fairly common with this grinder, Jura does not carry replacement parts. I had to get one 3D printed when mine broke. Otherwise...a great grinder.
I heard a lot of good things about the Capresso but some said it is "not powerful enough for espresso" which kind of keeps me from pulling the trigger on it.
I still don’t understand time-based grinding since the beans, bean size, roast and other factors are going to impact. Much prefer dosing/weight and it requires a lot less bells and whistles wise from the grinder. Which leads me to the Baratza. The baseline grind/default profile can actually be changed with a Phillips screwdriver from it’s course/medium default to a fine grind setting. Also, you can replace the M3 burr with the M2 burr from the Baratza Virtuoso, basically turning the Encore into the next-level-up grinder with nothing more than a pair of vice grips. I can get an espresso grind from the Encore that is actually too fine for my Breville Infuser to handle (which may not be saying much in the scheme of things, but still). For a home grinder for less than $200, I just don’t know that you can do any better than the /Encore. Oh, and a spritz of water on the beans before grinding drastically reduces static!
I've had the Bodum Bistro Burr grinder for more than 7 years and it still grinds as it did when new. However, it has developed a horrible sticky film all over the black, rubber housing, even the top of the hopper lid is sticky. Nothing will remove the stickiness. I went to amazon's reviews and Q & A to see if anyone else had the same experience. It seems to be a common issue, especially with the black unit. It's as if the material itself is breaking down. It's unfortunate as I really have liked how well it ground my coffee but now I no longer use it as I can't stand to touch it. :-(
I have the same grinder, along with the similarly priced OXO for use with a Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker. The consistency of the (drip) grind, when objectively measured through a Kruve sifter, reveals the Bodum Bistro to be superior. As for the sticky film that develops around the housing, I've successfully used Dawn dishwashing liquid on a wetted sponge--and away it went. . . As for the static problem noted by the reviewer, I have found it varies between different coffee beans--including caffeinated vs decaffeinated--and not unsurprisingly, different seasons. Sometimes there is zero static and the grinds fall freely into the filter, at other times tapping and shaking the container helps to break the charge. I've owned multiple burr grinders over the last 35+ years. The Bodum Bistro has proven itself reliable, and easy to maintain since purchasing it a comparable 7 years ago. Only recently did the burr require replacement (a worthwhile $15 spent).
@@webekelven I tried Dawn dish soap to remove the sticky film, along with lighter fluid, denatured alcohol, goo gone, and oil...nothing worked. As for the static issue, I replaced the glass receptacle with a stainless steel cup. It eliminated the static completely. But due to the stickiness, I ended up donating the grinder to Goodwill. Hopefully someone can use it but not mind the awful texture it developed.
And that m2 grinder mod makes it a fantastic bargain good enough for everyone besides espresso drinkers. I just wish there was an option for weighted grinding besides weighing beans each time.
My daily driver is the Encore but concerned about the level of support going forward now that they are owned by Breville, will have to wait and see. I do have a Capresso, as well, and generally hate it with a passion. Like the review format, practical comparisons are useful in this crowded coffee market, keep up the great work.
I find the Encore to be over rated. 40 settings yet you'd probably never, ever go over setting 26 for anything. Also the grind quality at the coarser settings is not great. Once you get to drip settings (19ish?) the grind quality is pretty darn nice.
I've owned the Capresso for about 15 months now and actually prefer it to the Encore. The Encore's grind quality isn't great at the coarser settings you'd use for French Press. Also, they give you 40 settings but anything above about setting 26 is worthless. I think Baratza should slow down the motor as popcorning is probably why the grind quality isn't amazing with the Encore. Once the grind tightens up to around drip (setting 19ish?) it does a very nice job - but only equal to my budget Capresso.
Grats on the new set! I've had the Capresso Infinity (not plus) for several years and it does have static and retention. The static can be mitigated with a drop of water or so on the beans. The retention well you have to slap it a bit. It's lasted me...7 years as of this month :)
In another review they say the Oxo's coarse grind for French press is uneven -- the first time I've come across this observation. Elsewhere the Oxo is praised as the best in its price range.
I had the bodum. It was enough for my presurised portagilter at first but after roughly a year and a half i had to start rolling the adjustment back bexause it started to heat the coffe tomuch. Two and a half years in, i can inly use the coarser half of the adjustment.
The Oxo Conical Burr Grinder is a killer value. It's not the cheapest, and it's certainly not the best, but it's right in that "bang for the buck" sweet spot at around $100 new. I bought mine gently used for $40 in great condition, so be sure to check the used market! I use mine to make espresso, albeit on a budget machine with a pressurized basket. I am not sure how well it would perform with a non-pressurized basket since I haven't found one of those that fits my machine properly. I have had mine for about a year now, and I love it. Will I outgrow it at some point? Maybe, but that would require buying a nicer espresso machine first.
I was getting impatient waiting for SCG to restock the Mignon Cronos (March 2021) and I also read it only does a fair grind for stovetop espresso makers. So I bought SCG's Baratza Encore. The Encore does what it is supposed to do and what I want it to do. It is really great....if I drank coffee and espresso I would have gotten a Rancilio Rocky which grinds well for both espresso and for drip/pour-over however I tend to drink much more coffee than espresso. BTW the new studio looks good. Hope you enjoy using it.
As to the Capresso Burr Grinder "Timer": I have found that it is not really a timer. The numeric printed on the grinder equates to "scoops" of beans. The Capresso Scoop is supplied with the machine. So 4 = 4 scoops of beans.
After reading, listening, researching, etc, I went with the Capresso Infinity Plus with the metal body. It seemed to be the most quiet/least loud, and metal seemed more sturdy to me than plastic. I'm not a barista; all I want is my two cups of pour-over from medium roast whole beans (Kona, Costa Rica Terrazu are my preferred), so 40+ settings and near-espresso fine weren't issues for me. Because I live in a townhouse with a tiny kitchen, I wanted a shortish machine with a small footprint. Fingers crossed mine is not a lemon (and that happens with every make and model).
Ive had mine for 3 or 4 years now. It’s been a champ, no complaints. I wanted the quiet noise and just need a decent medium grind for chemex/pour over. Happy with the purchase, and I like the high quality feel of the metal finish, nice and sturdy, feels premium.
Would love to have seen the Oxo Conical burr grinder, but I think maybe you guys already reviewed it? I got one for Christmas and it does an amazing job, and so quiet!
I have the Breville dual boiler and the coffee grinder I was using no longer works. I would like to get a coffee grinder that matches the quality of the espresso machine I have, even though I'm not a professional and its just for me. Can you recommend one or two for me. Thanks, Anna
Nice job Pat - informative video. I liked your earlier video on brew grinders. So, based upon your brew grinders' video, I'm waiting for SCG to restock the Eureka Mignon Crono [ March :-( ] Grinder. I believe the Eureka Crono will work well and do a fine grind for my Alessi 9090 Stovetop Espresso Maker and a medium coarse grind my new Moccamaster KBT 741..
I recently purchased the Capresso infinity plus grinder. I agree with your review on this product, however I’m having an issue with the grounds building up in the lower burr chamber(resulting in day old grounds). The angle of the feeder channel is horizontal from the lower burr chamber, and I’m wondering if this is causing the problem. Any thoughts?
Nice video. I read online that you can get a very fine grind from the capresso infinity which could be okay for some espresso machines ( such as the Rancilio Silvia etc). Thoughts on that ?
Saw some reviews for the Baratza on Amazon that said they were having problems with the burr grinder, that it clogged or got pretty nasty if you're doing espresso beans. Any thoughts on this? How hard is it to clean?
Hey there! The Baratza can handle espresso well and it's actually one of the easiest grinders to clean. If you're worried about oily beans, we recommend going for a medium to dark roast instead of a very dark one--that will help a bunch!
One thing not mentioned in the comments yet: this format is awesome.
Agreed and love the new studio.
They give coffee the glamour and respect it deserves and the education is always appropriated . They don’t hate people for staying within their price rage and income . Very few people own rocket espresso machines or $1,500 grinders 😂😂👍🏻👍🏻.
@@spotsill Agreed.
I just checked the order date and it turns out I got my Encore from you guys almost exactly eight years prior to this video being posted. So, it has ground on the order of 3000 cups for me (daily pour over, set to "15", very occasional french press at "30"). I take the burrs out and clean it regularly (at least every three years 😂), and have not had a single issue or complaint, it's a rock solid little machine. I like it so much that I bought two more as gifts.
I find that if you can avoid washing the grounds box, it gets "oiled up" a bit and that suppresses the static to almost nothing. I'll bet this is true for almost all plastic catch boxes?
Thank you so much for comparing all these burr grinders for people who want to get into ground coffee without paying too much. I feel like all these 4 models are the perfect entry level products to get into coffee for beginners so thanks for making such an extensive and detailed review of them, cheers :)
this is exactly the comparison I am looking for! thank you so much!
Thank you for the review. I have the Baratza Encore and love it. It is $40 more than the Scala at this point. I like that I can get parts for it and can even upgrade to the M2 burs. I understand that someone buying a new grinder is not looking to spend $35 more to upgrade the burs on a newly purchased grinder. I don't have a problem with static if I tap the grounds container or let the grounds sit in the container for a couple minutes.
Neil I agree 100% with everything you say! I have been using an Encore with the m2 burs upgrade at home and a Virtuoso+ at my office for several years now and both are wonderful! Baratza customer service and support has been excellent! I'm hoping that things will stay the same at Baratza regarding parts availability and the great customer service that I've received in the past now that Brevel has purchased them. I've been less than happy with Brevel products both in reliability and longevity. As far as Brevel parts being available and customer service. .....both are in need of improvement. Only my opinion with past experiences.
One thing to note about the Capresso is that if the knob breaks, which is fairly common with this grinder, Jura does not carry replacement parts. I had to get one 3D printed when mine broke. Otherwise...a great grinder.
JB weld, solid as steel now. (almost) Just make sure you glue upside down and not on the machine.
I heard a lot of good things about the Capresso but some said it is "not powerful enough for espresso" which kind of keeps me from pulling the trigger on it.
I still don’t understand time-based grinding since the beans, bean size, roast and other factors are going to impact. Much prefer dosing/weight and it requires a lot less bells and whistles wise from the grinder. Which leads me to the Baratza. The baseline grind/default profile can actually be changed with a Phillips screwdriver from it’s course/medium default to a fine grind setting. Also, you can replace the M3 burr with the M2 burr from the Baratza Virtuoso, basically turning the Encore into the next-level-up grinder with nothing more than a pair of vice grips. I can get an espresso grind from the Encore that is actually too fine for my Breville Infuser to handle (which may not be saying much in the scheme of things, but still). For a home grinder for less than $200, I just don’t know that you can do any better than the /Encore. Oh, and a spritz of water on the beans before grinding drastically reduces static!
I've had the Bodum Bistro Burr grinder for more than 7 years and it still grinds as it did when new. However, it has developed a horrible sticky film all over the black, rubber housing, even the top of the hopper lid is sticky. Nothing will remove the stickiness. I went to amazon's reviews and Q & A to see if anyone else had the same experience. It seems to be a common issue, especially with the black unit. It's as if the material itself is breaking down. It's unfortunate as I really have liked how well it ground my coffee but now I no longer use it as I can't stand to touch it. :-(
I have the same grinder, along with the similarly priced OXO for use with a Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker. The consistency of the (drip) grind, when objectively measured through a Kruve sifter, reveals the Bodum Bistro to be superior.
As for the sticky film that develops around the housing, I've successfully used Dawn dishwashing liquid on a wetted sponge--and away it went. . .
As for the static problem noted by the reviewer, I have found it varies between different coffee beans--including caffeinated vs decaffeinated--and not unsurprisingly, different seasons.
Sometimes there is zero static and the grinds fall freely into the filter, at other times tapping and shaking the container helps to break the charge.
I've owned multiple burr grinders over the last 35+ years. The Bodum Bistro has proven itself reliable, and easy to maintain since purchasing it a comparable 7 years ago.
Only recently did the burr require replacement (a worthwhile $15 spent).
@@webekelven I tried Dawn dish soap to remove the sticky film, along with lighter fluid, denatured alcohol, goo gone, and oil...nothing worked. As for the static issue, I replaced the glass receptacle with a stainless steel cup. It eliminated the static completely. But due to the stickiness, I ended up donating the grinder to Goodwill. Hopefully someone can use it but not mind the awful texture it developed.
Love the Baratza Encore. Would definitely recommend as one of the best, if not the best, budget grinder out there!
And that m2 grinder mod makes it a fantastic bargain good enough for everyone besides espresso drinkers. I just wish there was an option for weighted grinding besides weighing beans each time.
I recommend it for its parts availability alone, what other small kitchen appliances even offer those individually?
My daily driver is the Encore but concerned about the level of support going forward now that they are owned by Breville, will have to wait and see. I do have a Capresso, as well, and generally hate it with a passion.
Like the review format, practical comparisons are useful in this crowded coffee market, keep up the great work.
I find the Encore to be over rated. 40 settings yet you'd probably never, ever go over setting 26 for anything. Also the grind quality at the coarser settings is not great. Once you get to drip settings (19ish?) the grind quality is pretty darn nice.
Add the m2 burr, and it becomes a Virtuoso!
I've owned the Capresso for about 15 months now and actually prefer it to the Encore. The Encore's grind quality isn't great at the coarser settings you'd use for French Press. Also, they give you 40 settings but anything above about setting 26 is worthless. I think Baratza should slow down the motor as popcorning is probably why the grind quality isn't amazing with the Encore. Once the grind tightens up to around drip (setting 19ish?) it does a very nice job - but only equal to my budget Capresso.
Grats on the new set! I've had the Capresso Infinity (not plus) for several years and it does have static and retention. The static can be mitigated with a drop of water or so on the beans. The retention well you have to slap it a bit. It's lasted me...7 years as of this month :)
Same here the capresso has lasted me about 8years but the grind it's very inconsistent. I just recently got a Eureka mignonfiltro and it fantastic.
@@Stevesbe Nice, what type of coffee are you making with it?
@@FoodTechLifei roast my own coffee espresso and areopress mostly
What about the OXO brew conical burr grinder?
In another review they say the Oxo's coarse grind for French press is uneven -- the first time I've come across this observation. Elsewhere the Oxo is praised as the best in its price range.
I have used most of these... I suggest the Capresso... but if you want to spend a little more and like espresso I suggest the Batatza
Nice intro! MKBHD like. The studio looks nice and modern. maybe a link in the video to budget grinders for espresso machines?
I had the bodum. It was enough for my presurised portagilter at first but after roughly a year and a half i had to start rolling the adjustment back bexause it started to heat the coffe tomuch. Two and a half years in, i can inly use the coarser half of the adjustment.
The Oxo Conical Burr Grinder is a killer value. It's not the cheapest, and it's certainly not the best, but it's right in that "bang for the buck" sweet spot at around $100 new. I bought mine gently used for $40 in great condition, so be sure to check the used market!
I use mine to make espresso, albeit on a budget machine with a pressurized basket. I am not sure how well it would perform with a non-pressurized basket since I haven't found one of those that fits my machine properly.
I have had mine for about a year now, and I love it. Will I outgrow it at some point? Maybe, but that would require buying a nicer espresso machine first.
In Europe, it's over 250€, which is on par with Fellow Opus or even with the older Ode when shopping around.
Wow! New space, looks great. Shelf items are a bit redundant need to have more variety and include some vintage items, too.
Awesome studio guys! Looks amazing! I'm looking forward to future videos in the new space! ☕
This is exactly what I was looking for because Bodum’s grinder always seems to be on sale
Is that so? I was a bit excited to think of getting it at the cheaper price. No need to hurry in making a decision then. ;)
Love the new studio! Fits with the times, more modern :)
I was getting impatient waiting for SCG to restock the Mignon Cronos (March 2021) and I also read it only does a fair grind for stovetop espresso makers. So I bought SCG's Baratza Encore. The Encore does what it is supposed to do and what I want it to do. It is really great....if I drank coffee and espresso I would have gotten a Rancilio Rocky which grinds well for both espresso and for drip/pour-over however I tend to drink much more coffee than espresso. BTW the new studio looks good. Hope you enjoy using it.
As to the Capresso Burr Grinder "Timer": I have found that it is not really a timer. The numeric printed on the grinder equates to "scoops" of beans. The Capresso Scoop is supplied with the machine. So 4 = 4 scoops of beans.
After reading, listening, researching, etc, I went with the Capresso Infinity Plus with the metal body. It seemed to be the most quiet/least loud, and metal seemed more sturdy to me than plastic. I'm not a barista; all I want is my two cups of pour-over from medium roast whole beans (Kona, Costa Rica Terrazu are my preferred), so 40+ settings and near-espresso fine weren't issues for me. Because I live in a townhouse with a tiny kitchen, I wanted a shortish machine with a small footprint. Fingers crossed mine is not a lemon (and that happens with every make and model).
How have you honestly liked it so far?
Ive had mine for 3 or 4 years now. It’s been a champ, no complaints. I wanted the quiet noise and just need a decent medium grind for chemex/pour over. Happy with the purchase, and I like the high quality feel of the metal finish, nice and sturdy, feels premium.
I'm sorry but i've seen the Encore work on regular non pressurized portafilters just fine
Excellent review
Would love to have seen the Oxo Conical burr grinder, but I think maybe you guys already reviewed it? I got one for Christmas and it does an amazing job, and so quiet!
Yes, Gail reviewed it in a previous video back when the model first hit the shelves. :)
Love the new space!
What an amazing studio!
Well done as usual..
What would happen if you grind finest and then run it through a second time on fine again
From acustic point. Bass can pass threw walls and wake up your wife and kids.
New studio looks great. Missing the Seattle Coffee Gear logo though.
A little one on the ceramic on the shelf, but not the chrome.
Brilliant in-depth video, cheers
Damn, this new setting... That intro got me excited
Which one would you recommend for espresso
Solis Scala looks interesting and its not freakish tall like that other one
Capresso is available at Costco so essentially $99 lifetime cost for the win… if it breaks down you return it and get a new one.
Loved this review! Super helpful for a beginner like me
Great review- thanks!
What's the cheapest automatic grinder for unpressurized espresso you know of
does bodum bisro grind fine enough for espresso?
What's a high end espresso machine? I have a Rancilio Sylvia. Does that mean I need a better grinder?
I have the Breville dual boiler and the coffee grinder I was using no longer works. I would like to get a coffee grinder that matches the quality of the espresso machine I have, even though I'm not a professional and its just for me. Can you recommend one or two for me. Thanks, Anna
Ok I have a Krupps GVX2 and I want to upgrade to something with better settings soooooooo. what do you think and Great Vid by the way
Nice job Pat - informative video. I liked your earlier video on brew grinders. So, based upon your brew grinders' video, I'm waiting for SCG to restock the Eureka Mignon Crono [ March :-( ] Grinder. I believe the Eureka Crono will work well and do a fine grind for my Alessi 9090 Stovetop Espresso Maker and a medium coarse grind my new Moccamaster KBT 741..
My grinder is made by Mr Coffee...
I recently purchased the Capresso infinity plus grinder. I agree with your review on this product, however I’m having an issue with the grounds building up in the lower burr chamber(resulting in day old grounds). The angle of the feeder channel is horizontal from the lower burr chamber, and I’m wondering if this is causing the problem. Any thoughts?
Which one would be best for a Gaggia Classic Pro (2020) model?
6 years going strong on my Capresso and the price....
Love the new digs!
Nice video. I read online that you can get a very fine grind from the capresso infinity which could be okay for some espresso machines ( such as the Rancilio Silvia etc). Thoughts on that ?
Great video buddy 👍🏾
Saw some reviews for the Baratza on Amazon that said they were having problems with the burr grinder, that it clogged or got pretty nasty if you're doing espresso beans. Any thoughts on this? How hard is it to clean?
Hey there! The Baratza can handle espresso well and it's actually one of the easiest grinders to clean. If you're worried about oily beans, we recommend going for a medium to dark roast instead of a very dark one--that will help a bunch!
Are you going to do a similar vid but for espresso?
You have come a long way with the new studio but I still like the old videos with the demos out in the sales area!
Can this do a Moka Pot grind?
I have the capreso and it has a lot of retention and static. Not a deal breaker but it is annoying.
Does anyone have a preference on these grinders for a 6-cup chemex?
Ohh, I thought this was a Grindr shootout. Never mind
10:52 In recovery?
Oh what about the new Niche grinder everyone is going on about on insta. Less of an budget appliance?
Way different price!
Twice the price. Similar performance. Just a nicer design for Instagram culture lol.
Squirt 3 drops of water and all static goes away
No Wilfa Svart? Shame :)
YOU did NOT TALK about about Fines or Boulders !!
"budget"... budget is $15-30 at Walmart -_-
Agreed but at the price your money is better spent on buying ground coffee.
Breville (Sage) Smart Grinder Pro Review | BEST Budget Coffee Grinder for Home?
ua-cam.com/video/WGiL_3PE70o/v-deo.html