Baratza Encore Grinder Settings for Every Brew Method

By Kiss the Hippo Coffee | London's Premier Specialty Coffee Roastery | Published: 2026-10-23

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the ideal Baratza Encore grind settings for pour-over, French press, espresso, and more. Get consistent results with this easy-to-follow guide.

Quick answer

The Baratza Encore’s 40 grind settings let you dial in the perfect particle size for any brew method. Start with the recommended range below, then adjust by one click at a time based on taste.

Why grind size matters

Grind size directly controls extraction. A grind that is too fine over-extracts, making coffee bitter; too coarse under-extracts, leaving it sour or weak. The Baratza Encore’s 40 mm conical steel burrs produce consistent particles across its 40 settings, so you can trust each adjustment to change extraction predictably.

The Encore is designed for filter brews (pour-over, Chemex, French press, AeroPress) and is not ideal for espresso. Its step size between settings is too large for the fine adjustments espresso requires. If you want a single grinder for both filter and espresso, consider a model with stepless adjustment.

How to adjust the Encore

Turn the hopper while the grinder is running to avoid jamming. Each click changes the grind size by one setting. Always run the grinder for a few seconds after changing settings to purge any old grounds.

If your brew tastes off, adjust by one click finer or coarser, then taste again. Keep a log of settings for your favorite beans to speed up dial-in next time.

Baratza Encore grind settings by brew method

Espresso (not recommended): The Encore cannot grind fine enough for true espresso. Setting 1–3 produces the finest possible grind, but it still lacks the precision needed for espresso extraction. Use a dedicated espresso grinder instead. If you own an espresso machine, the Encore is best used only for filter coffee.
AeroPress (setting 8–12): Start at setting 10. For a shorter brew time (1–2 minutes), use a coarser grind (12). For a longer steep (3–4 minutes), go finer (8). The standard recipe works well at setting 10. AeroPress is forgiving; adjust by taste rather than chasing a perfect number.
Pour-over (V60, Kalita Wave) – setting 12–16: Begin at setting 14. If the brew drains too quickly and tastes weak, go finer (12). If it stalls or tastes bitter, go coarser (16). A medium-fine grind (14) works for most pour-over recipes. Pour-over requires even extraction; a consistent grind at setting 14 reduces channeling.
Chemex – setting 18–22: Start at setting 20. Chemex filters are thicker, so a slightly coarser grind (20–22) prevents over-extraction. If the brew is weak, go finer (18). Chemex benefits from a coarser grind than V60; don’t use the same setting for both.
French press – setting 24–28: Begin at setting 26. French press requires a coarse grind to avoid sludge and bitterness. If the coffee tastes flat, go finer (24). If it’s gritty or bitter, go coarser (28). A coarse grind (26) produces a clean cup; too fine a grind leaves sediment and over-extracts.
Cold brew – setting 30–34: Start at setting 32. Cold brew extracts slowly, so an extra-coarse grind prevents over-extraction and bitterness. If the brew is weak, go finer (30). If it’s harsh, go coarser (34). Cold brew grind should resemble coarse sea salt; too fine makes it bitter.

Product facts

Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder: The Baratza Encore brings barista-recommended grinding precision to your home brewing routine, making it the perfect first step toward exceptional coffee. With 40 mm conical steel burrs and 40 grind settings, it delivers consistent, even results across every filter brew method. You get reliable, repeatable grind sizes for pour-over, Chemex, French press, and AeroPress without needing to upgrade to a more expensive grinder.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder