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 collection, streamlining their choices into 4 fundamental 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 may 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, turning into an improve selection in comparison with the Encore ESP grinder. But it surely 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 cut back static, an impressively nice 2.2-micron adjustment system for espresso, a digital timer correct to one-tenth of a second, and a lit grinds chamber. It additionally provides a simple solution to swap between single dosing and full hopper use.
Initially, we had been scheduled to obtain an early manufacturing mannequin at first of April, however transport delays pushed that again. Usually, I desire to put in writing about gear after hands-on use. Nonetheless, given Baratza’s affect on the house grinder market and the innovation packed into this launch, it’s value highlighting now. We will probably be getting one of many first models in North America in early Might and I’ll have a fast arms on followup article at the moment.
In case you occur to be on the SCA Expo in Houston April 25-27 2025, you possibly can see this grinder in individual at Baratza’s sales space, #615, the place they’ll have a number of models in demonstration, in addition to the parents behind the grinder out there to reply questions.
What’s Notable in regards to the Baratza Encore ESP Professional
It’s robust to choose 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 people will instantly zero in on the ultra-fine 2.2 micron adjustment steps, which provide a brand new degree of management for dialing in espresso. Others would possibly recognize the auto-off characteristic that’s good for single dosing. For me, the sting would possibly 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 among the lowest static-producing grinders on the house market, at the least when in comparison with others with out an ionizer.
With the Encore ESP Professional, they’ve taken that further step by including a built-in ionizer, utilizing a plasma generator design of their very own. This technique builds on every little thing they’ve realized and provides an lively 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 check as quickly as our assessment unit arrives.
Timer and Auto-Off Options
The Encore ESP Professional provides 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 wanting show not like something seen on a Baratza grinder earlier than. It provides you strong management and repeatability to your grind occasions. The auto-off mode is especially attention-grabbing. When single dosing, the grinder senses resistance within the burr chamber, and as soon as that resistance disappears – which means the beans are absolutely floor – it shuts off routinely.
Auto-off isn’t a brand new idea in shopper grinders. The Wilfa Uniform features a comparable 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 nicely Baratza’s system performs as compared.
Although not confirmed, I imagine the auto-off characteristic is enabled routinely whenever you swap out the bean hopper for the one 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 some of the exact choices for house espresso lovers.
The system splits into two grind zones: the nice finish for espresso, and the coarser vary for brewing strategies like Aeropress, guide pour over, drip, siphon, and French press. One element we’re desirous to make clear is whether or not the micron leap per click on stays constant throughout the non-espresso vary, or will increase as you progress coarser. That’s one thing we’ll check totally as soon as we get hands-on.
And the way might I overlook 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 adjustments from it’s timed show to displaying you the grind setting. That’s significantly cool.
Different Sought After Options and Extra Ideas
The Baratza Encore ESP Professional doesn’t simply construct on the inspiration of the unique Encore ESP. It takes lots 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 much more refined and full, particularly for house espresso lovers 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 a regular hopper (possible 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 types with no need to purchase further equipment.
Much like the Virtuoso+, the ESP Professional has an built-in “barista gentle” that illuminates the grinds bin or dosing cup when the grinder is lively. 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 desire these sorts of barista lights to be extra pure color, within the 3500-5000k vary. That is one thing else we’ll check and be aware in our arms 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 doable settings. It additionally visually signifies whenever you’re within the espresso vary, clearly marking the transition between espresso grinding and different brew strategies.
All controls are managed by 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 greater bodily upgrades over the Encore ESP is the outer physique. Whereas the unique is generally plastic, the ESP Professional makes use of anodized steel for giant parts of its outer housing. This could add a noticeable bump in sturdiness and provides the grinder a extra premium really feel. For customers in search of a machine that appears at house in a extra upscale kitchen setup, this transformation 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 audience, they’re a strong selection. I want to see Baratza work with Etzinger to enhance the burrs additional outdoors their already glorious espresso and Aeropress efficiency.
Design and Longevity
At launch, the grinder is just out there in black. Baratza might increase the colour choices sooner or later. The white Encore ESP appears improbable, so it will 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 substitute elements and assist supplies, like restore movies and walkthroughs. This strategy ensures the grinder can stay in service for a few years, even many years, with primary repairs.
Trade 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 circulate management disk coupled with the included equipment like a dosing cup for espresso and a single dose hopper are what our customers are in search of and Baratza’s right here to offer,”
I don’t know what the circulate management disk is but, however I’m wanting ahead to discovering out. We’re anticipating to get a check unit quickly, and as soon as we do, we’ll observe up with extra hands-on insights and direct suggestions from Baratza’s group.
The Baratza Encore ESP Professional is anticipated to be out there 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 observe.
