Encore ESP

There are many other grinders now for $200 that outperform the baratza encore esp, where you don't have to worry about shims and are full metal construction. Two of which I mentioned.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro, it's what cured my rage after the Fellow Opus. Whatever you do, do NOT get an Opus. With the Encore ESP Pro you're good to grind just about anything from a reputable brand for $299.

That's absolutely not true, you can get a used baratza encore esp for like 100. Even the regular encore can grind fine enough for espresso, the increments are just too big. I had the same machine as OP, i just pulled the plastic insert out of the stock portafilter and put a non pressurised basket in

Baratza Encore ESP, $199 new. It comes with 2 shims; if it doesn't grind fine enough, add 1 shim (very easy to install; youtube has multiple videos on this; it takes 90 seconds). This little machine holds its weight against my $1k+ grinder. I find myself going to the encore, esp. more often than not

I have a DF64 and Baratza Encore ESP. Don't overestimate the impact of the burr type. The beans matter much much more. Never lacked body on the DF if the beans allow it, but I've been missing clarity on the ESP for some beans. Don't overthink it, good beans well dialed in in any of those grinders wi

Are you moving from the Baratza Encore or the Baratza Encore ESP? I moved from the Baratza Encore (non ESP) to the CF64 (bought an open box model on sale) and it is a significant upgrade for me. It takes far less attempts to dial in the grind. That said if you don’t change beans often then you might

The Baratza is a very good grinder for the money and I am happy with it, but I would probably select something else if I had to buy one again. Valid point on the dosing cup. I don't use it. Instead I single-dose and catch the grounds holding my shaker directly under the chute. Works well for me, don

With the Encore+ M2 burr upgrade (same one the Baratza ESP has) I get pretty consistent espresso grind results to the point that I can't see myself getting a separate grinder any time soon, but it takes a LOT of back and forth and dialing in than I'm guessing a proper espresso grinder does. Don't ne

I recently got a Baratza ESP and have found that grind setting 28 works well for my Moccamaster.

With the budget, I'd do a Baratza Encore ESP Pro over the original Encore ESP--a nice 2.2-micron grind precision, and producing fluffy grounds (plus, some nice, enhanced styling there). :)