Not a fan of the BBE. It can pull great shots, but the grinder is inconsistent in both grind size and amount. I wish I would have bought the smaller machine (without the grinder) and bought a good grinder. But, I make due with what I got. Congratulations! Seriously. No sarcasm! Have fun with it!
If someone was just looking for basic grinding, but with the precision of baratza, would it be ok to get the encore for $150? Or are you literally leaving flavor performance on the table?
Like I get it, precision grinding is critical to flavor. But where do the diminishing returns start?
Right now we use the built in grinder on the breville.
And I have a burr grinder that we got dirt cheap somewhere, but it’s finest grind is still quite coarse. I use it for the occasional flavored coffee, I know better than to put that through the GOOD grinder.
The Encore isn’t great for espresso, IMO. You can get a Notte or Facile for a decent price, though. $349 for a Facile at Whole Latte Love, for instance. The Facile is great; basically a Silenzio (og, not the new 55) minus the timer – a couple cheap 3D printed parts (or the fancier but pricier official single dose mod kit) and it’s one hell of a single doser.
$150 ain’t getting you a good grinder, dude (unless you go manual).
Not a fan of the BBE. It can pull great shots, but the grinder is inconsistent in both grind size and amount. I wish I would have bought the smaller machine (without the grinder) and bought a good grinder. But, I make due with what I got. Congratulations! Seriously. No sarcasm! Have fun with it!
Agreed. I got the Bambino and a Varia grinder and it’s been great.
Yep, the smart move is to find an Infuser: BBE minus the grinder; then spend the saved money on a Baratza or Eureka.
Good Lord that’s expensive!
So…
If someone was just looking for basic grinding, but with the precision of baratza, would it be ok to get the encore for $150? Or are you literally leaving flavor performance on the table?
Like I get it, precision grinding is critical to flavor. But where do the diminishing returns start?
Right now we use the built in grinder on the breville.
And I have a burr grinder that we got dirt cheap somewhere, but it’s finest grind is still quite coarse. I use it for the occasional flavored coffee, I know better than to put that through the GOOD grinder.
The Encore isn’t great for espresso, IMO. You can get a Notte or Facile for a decent price, though. $349 for a Facile at Whole Latte Love, for instance. The Facile is great; basically a Silenzio (og, not the new 55) minus the timer – a couple cheap 3D printed parts (or the fancier but pricier official single dose mod kit) and it’s one hell of a single doser.
$150 ain’t getting you a good grinder, dude (unless you go manual).