Virtuoso+

I’ve got a Baratza virtuoso +. Fantastic grinder!!!

If $500 is your budget, then Ode 2. I have the baratza virtuoso+ and it gets the job done just fine, got it for $200. Prefer the look of the Ode 2 I’ll admit.

When my encore got to be over twelve years old, I sent it to baratza and had it rebuilt…new motor, circuit board etc. I also had them upgrade the burr to the m2 burr. This is the burr used in the virtuoso +. While I was waiting, I got a virtuoso +, because I can’t wait that long for a cup of coffee😄

I have a Baratza Virtuoso+ and love it! Baratza really delivers on an even grind! The Encore is cheaper and apparently does a great job as well, but I went full snob and did the upgraded version given how much I’m grinding.

Look to your left on the shelf, pre-ground coffee! "but I like freshly ground coffee. Not really fresh like that day ground, just ya know quasi fresh/stale with an accurate grind" Virtuoso™+ | Baratza (US) I will never ever regret buying this coffee grinder.

Curious of your definition of high retention. Have this, clean it weekly and don't have this issue. But I only use for espresso and the single dose hopper. Couple pumps at the end usually pushes the residual out. Its a much better grinder (for me) than my DF54 and Baratza Virtuoso+.

I use a Baratza Virtuoso+. Good enough for my drip, pour-overs and occasional immersion brews. Not ideal for espresso. Took a few tries to figure out a good setting for the grind (I use between 22 and 25 depending on the beans). James is helpful in that occasionally he will test or recommend product

I have the Virtuoso+ (predecessor to the ESP Pro) and while I can't give you a suggested grind setting because the two machines don't have the same numbering scale, I can talk a bit about the timer feature. The timer is very useful if you have a daily driver coffee and plan to brew that bean almost

Friend, I had this machine (plus version ) it's nice latte machine - with espresso grade grinder you can absolutelly choke it with no problem. If you can not make it 30 second - it's grinder issue. Grind is only thing that caps your lower pressure in this class of machine. It has OPV for upper limit

To answer your questions: WDT never hurts and often helps. The cheap ones are fine. No need for spinning gears. A metal screen or paper filter on top will keep the machine cleaner. At your current level of expertise, you don't need to bother with paper on the bottom. The stock single wall baskets fr