The Coffee Grinder for the Best Consistency, Says a Pro

As a former barista, I know firsthand that putting together the perfect setup for brewing coffee at home can be overwhelming. While finding the right brewing method for your needs is extremely important, one thing is for sure: The way you grind your beans is just as central, if not more so. Yes, you can get those pre-ground beans from the store or do it all at once with a mediocre blade grinder, leaving them to oxidize, dry out, and lose a lot of their flavor within days or even hours. But if you really want to have the freshest coffee possible, you should invest in a great coffee grinder. 

There are certainly plenty of ways to go when it comes to coffee grinders. The one I used for many years was the Baratza Encore conical burr grinder, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

I was reminded of how much I loved the Encore recently when reading a colleague’s article about coffee grinders. In it, Trade Coffee director of coffee Maciej Kasperowicz explained that you should avoid blade grinders: “As the coffee particles whirr around hitting the blades, some particles come into contact with the blades often while others don’t, so while you’ll definitely be left with finer grinds as your blade spins, they won’t be particularly even,” he said. This means that it’s harder to achieve an even brew, often leaving you with sour and bitter coffee.

He explained that the burr grinder is far superior because it uses highly controlled cones or disks that evenly grind coffee beans rather than chopping them. “That more even grind size will help you get a cup that’s much smoother, no matter what kind of coffee you enjoy,” he said. I couldn’t agree more, and I found the Baratza Encore to be perfect for me when brewing coffee at home. 

While the Encore isn’t exactly the most inexpensive grinder on the market, it’s very worthwhile in the end, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind size with 40 settings. For one, if you’re using a first-rate method like pour-over, French press, or even an AeroPress coffee maker — three fabulous ways to make delicious, consistent coffee — you’re actually going to end up spending very little on equipment, making it even more important for a grinder that puts quality and consistency at the forefront. For example, a stunning option from Le Creuset is just $20 right now; or, pick up a larger-format Chemex or the eternally fun AeroPress, both still under $50. On the other hand, if you were to go with a more expensive programmable drip coffee machine and a middling-quality grinder, you’d end up spending more than you would on an Encore and one of the aforementioned — and in my opinion, far superior — combos. Thus, the Encore is not only a better option in the long run but probably a less expensive one as well.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current coffee setup or are seeking the right way to begin your journey toward becoming a pro, a great place to start is by picking up a Baratza Encore burr grinder. Then, you’ll just have to work on storing your beans properly.

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