About this Video

• Video Title: Encore ESP PRO | Baratza's Flagship Grinder Facelift
• Channel: The Real Sprometheus
• Speakers: The Real Sprometheus
• Duration: 00:09:46

Introduction

This video reviews the Baratza Encore ESP Pro coffee grinder, comparing it to its predecessor. The reviewer discusses its new features, performance, workflow, and downsides, ultimately assessing whether the price increase is justified.

Key Takeaways

• Improved Hopper: The ESP Pro features a new hopper with a shut-off valve, addressing a previous complaint about the original ESP. This allows for easier coffee swapping, single-dose use, and cleaning.
• Stepless Adjustment: The adjustment ring now moves steplessly, offering improved precision, particularly for espresso dialing-in.
• Enhanced User Interface: A new heads-up display tracks grind settings, including an espresso range indicator, and functions as a timer. A single activation button/dial simplifies operation.
• Internal Upgrades: A removable flow control disc prevents jamming, and while the burrs remain the same (40mm M2 conical), a deionizer reduces static and clumping. Grind consistency remains high, with minimal variance.
• Minor Downsides: While quieter than its predecessor, the difference is minimal. The grinder shipped too coarse, requiring the addition of shims to achieve the expected espresso grind. Grind retention is similar to the original ESP and increases with finer grinds, although water improves this.

1. The reviewer states that when using the ESP Pro as a single-dose grinder, the grind consistency is very good, producing a maximum variance of just under half a gram, not accounting for retained grinds. The grind consistency is similar to the original ESP.

2. The reviewer found the flavor profiles produced by the ESP Pro to be "all but exactly the same" as the previous ESP, which is unsurprising given that the burrs and their speed are identical. The coffee produced is described as well-balanced, full-bodied, and well-extracted, with extraction yields consistently above 19%, even with lighter, denser roasts. The burrs are also noted for their forgiving nature across varying roasts and origins.