Single dosing always creates a mess and I kept wondering whether the designers ever used the machine before production.
Complaint
Kitchen & Dining
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Best Entry-Level Burr Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore is the benchmark entry-level conical burr grinder for home coffee enthusiasts, combining 40 grind settings with a low-RPM motor and Baratza's North American repair support into the most recommended first burr grinder under $200 CAD. Available on Amazon.ca (ASIN B007F183LK) at around $199 CAD.
16 mentions · 7 threadslast mention Feb 2026ClearPick Score
8.5 / 10
Very Good
Score informed by 16 owner mentions across 7 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
9 positive5 mixed2 negative
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Best Entry-Level Burr Coffee Grinder
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
~$199 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you
Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
Baratza Encore is the best in class in that price range and price point. I'd recommend that, you will find good and bad review at both ends of the scale, it's still the best entry level grinder at that price range, and Baratza is a decent company with good support.
Praise
There isn't a better electric grinder than the Encore in that price range. Even on the off chance it breaks out of warranty, Baratza sells all the parts and it's easy to repair yourself.
Praise
If you ever want to brew larger batches of coffee, it'll be damn near indispensable. I love mine, if it ever breaks down, I'll go buy another one after I'm done crying.
Praise
I sold my Baratza Encore after 8 years of flawless use - as many comments here have said, they’re easily serviceable and just work.
Praise
I keep seeing people's comments on this sub about the Encore and I'm usually surprised with how unsatisfied some people are with it... But then I realized I upgrade my burr so their encore experience would definitely not be the same as mine.
Mention
No matter what I do, the chute gets clumped up with coffee on EVERY grind. I clear it out, clean it, RDT, no RDT, doesn't matter. ... Always a mess and always retention in that stupid chute....
Complaint
The motor in my 2.5yo Encore broke down last year, and when I e-mailed them for help, they said, "we'll send you a replacement motor free of charge, as long as you replace it yourself. Deal?" One Youtube tutorial video later, I was back in business.
Praise
I purchased some beans that claimed to be medium but were dark and oily. I had the same problems. If I stick to a medium roast. I am quite happy with it. But it doesn’t seem to handle dark roasts well at all
Complaint
I have an older (about 6 years) baratza encode. Generally works fine for me - I like the coffee I make. But it is very loud.
Complaint
I went from an Encore (previous generation) with the upgraded Virtuoso burr to an Ode Gen 2. Omg what a difference. ... Changed my coffee game.
Comparison
Honestly I'm pretty sure this is user error. I never had any issues with mine.
Mention
They are an extremely robust and BIFL machine when used correctly.
Praise
The ESP is a very adequate grinder. It makes good espresso and large numbers of people are very happy with it. Reddit is not reality.
Mention
If you check their website, you can buy a refurb Encore direct from them. Its about 100. ... They are real friendly over the phone.
Mention
Difference is I'm new to the coffee scene and went from a Hario slim to an Encore. For me, the step up was massive.
Comparison
✅ What Works
- The 40mm conical burrs produce consistent grind particle size across all 40 settings — the difference in cup quality versus blade grinders is significant and immediate, particularly for pour-over and French press where extraction evenness matters.
- Forty settings provide enough range to tune from coarse French press through drip, AeroPress, and Moka pot, covering every manual and drip brewing method without adjustment guesswork. Setting 20–28 is the drip sweet spot for most medium roasts.
- Baratza offers replacement parts (burrs, hoppers, motors) for sale directly and supports Canadian buyers through North American customer service — a meaningful advantage over cheaper brands where repair means replacement.
- Operation is straightforward: fill the hopper, set the number on the dial, press the button. The pulse button lets you grind smaller amounts on demand without pre-programming dosing.
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- The Encore is not designed for espresso — its finest setting (1) is too coarse for most espresso machines, which require a significantly finer grind than this unit can achieve. Espresso buyers need the Baratza Sette 270 or equivalent.
- Static electricity causes ground coffee to cling to the plastic ground bin and spout during dry winter conditions — a common frustration in Canadian climates from October through March. A small spritz of water on the beans before grinding (the Ross Droplet Technique) largely eliminates this.
- The 8 oz hopper is not sealed — beans stored in the hopper are exposed to air and light, which degrades freshness faster than an airtight container. Most serious coffee drinkers grind per session and store beans in a sealed canister separately.
- Grind time for a full dose is slower than higher-end grinders — expect 10–15 seconds for a drip dose, 20–30 seconds for a full French press. Not a concern for most buyers but noticeable if you're grinding multiple cups in succession.
ClearPick Verdict
The Baratza Encore is the standard recommendation for entry-level burr grinding in Canada because it does the job it's designed for consistently and backs it with real repair support. The improvement over a blade grinder in cup quality is immediate and significant for any manual or drip brewing method. The limitations — no espresso capability, static in dry climates, slow grind speed — are well-documented and unlikely to surprise buyers who research before purchasing. For pour-over, French press, drip, and AeroPress drinkers spending under $200 CAD, nothing at this price competes on grind consistency and longevity.
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