Baratza Encore ESP: Grind Settings for Espresso and Filter

Setting 8 on a Baratza Encore ESP for a medium-roast espresso. 21 for a standard AeroPress. 30 for a medium-roast Chemex. The trick with the ESP is knowing which zone of the dial to use for each method.

The Encore ESP is Baratza's take on at-home espresso without giving up filter. Same 40mm conical steel burrs as the original Encore, same motor, but the dial is laid out differently: the bottom half (positions 1-20) covers the espresso range with much higher resolution, and the top half (20-40) works as a regular filter grinder. Baratza launched it in 2023 as the next step for its best-selling grinder.

Unlike a manual grinder, you don't count clicks from zero. You rotate the hopper and align the number you want with the indicator on the body. The difference with the original Encore is that the bottom half of the dial (espresso) has much smaller jumps between numbers, so you'll want to adjust 1 number at a time (not 2) when you're dialing in a shot.

If you only care about filter and have no interest in espresso, the Baratza Encore is simpler (filter zone only, no espresso half). If you'd rather have a manual grinder, we also have guides for the Comandante C40, the 1Zpresso JX-Pro, the 1Zpresso K-Ultra, and the Timemore Chestnut C2.

Quick Reference Table

Starting points are for a light-roast washed coffee. For medium roasts on filter, go up 1 number. For dark roasts, go up 2. In the espresso zone the pattern partially inverts for very dark roasts (see espresso section).

How the Dual Dial Works

The Encore ESP dial has 40 numbered positions, but the "density" of each zone is different:

• Espresso zone (positions 1-20): each step changes grind by ~20µm. High resolution, designed so single-number changes shift shot time by 2-3 seconds.
• Filter zone (positions 20-40): each step changes grind by ~48µm. Coarser resolution, similar to the original Encore.
• Position 20: boundary between the two zones. Marks the transition from "fine for espresso" to "medium for filter."

To change your setting, rotate the hopper and align the number with the indicator on the body. You don't need to take anything apart. The transition between zones is continuous: there's no special "click" when crossing position 20, the dial just keeps turning.

The motor is the same as the original Encore. It doesn't have extra torque for very fine settings, so at positions 1-5 you'll notice it grinds more slowly. That's normal and won't damage the motor as long as you don't force big batches back-to-back.

Espresso

This is what the ESP exists for. The espresso zone of the dial (1-20) covers from ~210µm to ~610µm. The useful range for espresso is between 5 and 12, with 8 as the middle ground.

• Light roast: 7.
• Medium roast: 8.
• Dark roast: 9.

Target shot time: 25-32 seconds for 18g of coffee and 36g of espresso (1:2 ratio). If the shot pulls fast (under 20s) and tastes sour: 1 number finer. If it pulls slow (over 35s) and tastes bitter: 1 number coarser.

For very dark roasts (Italian-style blends, for example) the pattern partially inverts: they're so soluble they over-extract easily, so go slightly coarser (10-11) to avoid bitterness. Light roasts call for finer grinds to extract properly.

Moka Pot

Same dial zone as espresso, but coarser:

• Range: 11–15.
• Starting point: 13.
• If the brew sputters and hisses too soon, go 1-2 numbers coarser. If it comes out pale and watery, go finer.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is the one method where it makes sense to use both zones of the dial, depending on the style:

• Espresso-style (short, concentrated): 17–19, 1:00 steep.
• Standard method (filter): 21, 1:30 to 2:00 steep.
• Inverted or long steep: 22–24, 2:00 to 2:30 steep.

V60

Full filter zone. V60 is where most Encore ESP users spend the bulk of their non-espresso time.

• Light roast: 24.
• Medium roast: 25.
• Dark roast: 26.

Target brew time: 2:30 to 3:30 for a 15g dose with 250ml of water. If it drains too fast and tastes sour, go 1-2 numbers finer. If it stalls and tastes bitter, go coarser.

Chemex

The Chemex filter is thicker than a V60 filter, so it absorbs more oils and slows down the brew. You need to grind a bit coarser to compensate.

• Light roast: 28.
• Medium roast: 29.
• Dark roast: 30.

Target brew time: 3:30 to 4:30 for a 30g dose with 500ml of water.

French Press

Coarse grind. You're nearly at the end of the dial.

• Light roast: 34, 4:00 steep.
• Dark roast: 36–37.
• Lighter body: go up to 38.

How Roast Level Changes Your Setting

For filter, the rule is straightforward: light = base, medium = +1, dark = +2. Light roasts are denser and dark roasts more soluble, so you adjust the grind to compensate.

For espresso, the pattern partially inverts. Very dark roasts (typical Italian blends) are so soluble they extract very fast, and if you grind fine you end up with bitterness. For espresso on the ESP:

• Light specialty roast: setting 7 (finer, better extraction).
• Medium roast: setting 8.
• Dark roast or Italian blend: setting 9-10 (coarser to avoid bitterness).

How to Dial In

The table gives you a starting point. Here's how to find your ideal grind from there:

1. Pick the starting point for your method and roast.
2. Brew and taste. Brew time is a clue, but taste is what matters.
3. Move the dial in small steps. For espresso: 1 number at a time. For filter: 2 numbers at a time.
4. Change one thing at a time. Don't adjust grind and dose at the same time.
5. Write it down. Or use Coffee Master to log your brews automatically.

Most coffees on filter land within 2-3 numbers of the starting point. On espresso, within 1-2.

Maintenance

Same procedure as the original Encore. The burrs and motor are the same.

Burr cleaning (every 1-2 months if you grind daily): power off and unplug, remove the hopper by twisting a quarter turn, take off the top burr by turning it counter-clockwise, and brush everything with a dry bristle brush. A clean paintbrush works great. No water.

Screw check (every 6-12 months): there's a single Phillips screw at the base of the bottom burr. If it feels loose, tighten it by hand.

A few things to keep in mind:

• In the espresso zone (lower positions), the motor grinds more slowly. That's normal.
• New burrs need a break-in period. The first 500-1000g may grind a bit unevenly while the edges polish themselves. Use whatever beans you have on hand.
• Grindz tablets work well for deep cleaning once a year.

Common Issues