Part of: Baratza Encore ESP grind settings for espresso and filter coffee
Baratza Encore ESP Not Grinding Fine Enough: What to Check
When a Baratza Encore ESP stays too coarse for espresso, check ring burr seating, hopper alignment, the cone burr stack and the grind chamber for clogs. If setting 1 is still too coarse, the Encore ESP manual says to add a shim, which moves the grind about five settings finer.
Every step below comes from the Baratza Encore ESP operations manual (v1.0, January 2023) and published sources, not from our own testing. Unplug the Encore ESP before removing the hopper or burrs.
Quick checklist for an Encore ESP that will not grind fine enough
| Encore ESP check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| 1. Ring burr seating | Red burr-lifting tab aligned with the red mark; three tabs sitting in the three slots; burr pressed fully down |
| 2. Hopper gasket and hopper | Gasket thick side down inside the ring burr rim; hopper installed at the triangle near setting 40 and turned clockwise until it clicks |
| 3. Cone burr stack | Parts under the cone burr in the correct order; quick-release knob tightened |
| 4. Clog or oil build-up | Compacted coffee in the grind chamber or exit chute |
| 5. Shim kit | Parts correct but setting 1 still too coarse: add one or two shims |
| 6. Baratza support | Still too coarse after shims: possible assembly or part issue |
Check 1: Encore ESP ring burr seating and red-mark alignment
A ring burr that is not fully seated holds the Encore ESP burrs apart and makes every setting coarser. The Encore ESP manual gives the reinstall steps:
- Grip the two grind adjustment tabs and rotate the grind adjustment ring fully counterclockwise. Otherwise the ring burr stays locked in place.
- Align the red burr-lifting tab with the red mark on the grind adjustment ring.
- Line up the three tabs on the sides of the ring burr with the three slots in the top of the grind adjustment ring.
- Press the ring burr down into place.
- Seat the hopper gasket on the ring burr with its thicker side inside the plastic rim.
The Encore ESP manual also warns never to wash the ring burr in water, because it will rust.
Check 2: Encore ESP hopper installed at the triangle near setting 40
The Encore ESP hopper sets the grind number, so a hopper installed from the wrong starting point misreports the setting. The Encore ESP manual says to rotate the grind adjustment ring fully counterclockwise, align the silver grind setting indicator with the triangle near setting 40, press the hopper down and turn it clockwise until it starts to click. If the hopper will not go on, the manual says the ring burr is probably not fully seated.
Check 3: Encore ESP cone burr stack order and quick-release knob
The Encore ESP cone burr sits on a stack of parts, and a part left out or reordered changes burr height. The Encore ESP manual lists the stack from top to bottom:
- Quick-release knob
- Washer
- Cone burr
- Paddle wheel
- Drive shim
- Washer shims
- Felt ring
When refitting the Encore ESP cone burr, the two protrusions on the drive shim must fit the holes in the paddle wheel and the two divots under the cone burr. The quick-release knob removes clockwise and tightens counterclockwise; tighten it until the cone burr starts to turn with the knob.
Check 4: Encore ESP clog or oil build-up in the grind chamber
An Encore ESP clog usually shows as coffee not falling from the burrs, and the Encore ESP manual links clogs to overfilled grounds bins and to dark, oily or flavored coffee used without regular cleaning. To clear one, remove the cone burr and the parts under it, then chip compacted coffee out of the white plastic grind chamber with a small hex wrench or the brush handle. The exit chute sits directly under the red mark on the grind adjustment ring when the ring is rotated fully counterclockwise, and the chute must be completely clear. For routine care, see the grinder maintenance guide.
Why Encore ESP grind settings drift finer over time
The Encore ESP manual says parts settle into place as the grinder is used, so the setting that makes a given espresso grind slowly moves toward lower numbers. Baratza calls this normal wear that eventually stops. On an Encore ESP whose espresso setting already sat low on the dial, that drift can use up the fine end of the scale. More on the process is in the guide to seasoning new grinder burrs.
Using the Encore ESP shim kit when setting 1 is too coarse
Baratza ships shims with the Encore ESP for the case where the finest settings are not fine enough. According to the Encore ESP manual, one shim shifts the grind by about five settings: a grind that needed setting 10 before the shim sits near setting 15 after it. That shift moves the usable espresso range back toward the middle of the 1-20 scale.
- Unplug the Encore ESP and remove the hopper, ring burr and cone burr as described above.
- Lift off the paddle wheel and drive shim.
- Place one or two shims on top of the existing washer shims.
- Reassemble the Encore ESP and re-dial from your usual espresso setting.
Each click in the Encore ESP espresso range moves the burrs roughly 20 microns, according to CoffeeGeek's Encore ESP launch coverage, so a five-setting shift is a meaningful change in burr gap.
When to contact Baratza support about an Encore ESP that stays too coarse
If an Encore ESP still cannot grind fine enough for espresso after shims are installed, the Encore ESP manual says there may be an assembly issue or a problem with a part. In the US and Canada, Baratza's limited warranty runs one year from purchase and covers defects in materials and workmanship; support is reached at support@baratza.com or +1 425-641-1245. Have proof of purchase and the serial number from the bottom of the grinder ready. Outside the US and Canada, the retailer that sold the Encore ESP handles warranty service.
Is the problem the Encore ESP or the espresso recipe?
A fast Encore ESP shot is not always a grinder fault. The Encore ESP manual bases its espresso starting point on a medium roast and an 18 g dose, and says lighter roasts and smaller doses need lower numbers. A light roast in a small basket can therefore push the Encore ESP toward the bottom of its range before anything is wrong. Confirm dose and yield with a scale, then work through the espresso dial-in guide and how to adjust espresso grind finer before taking the grinder apart. The recipe starting settings live in the Encore ESP grind settings guide.
The standard Baratza Encore uses a different calibration process; owners of that model should use the Baratza Encore calibration guide instead of the Encore ESP shim steps.
Baratza Encore ESP not grinding fine enough FAQ
Why is my Baratza Encore ESP not grinding fine enough for espresso?
The Encore ESP manual points to three causes: parts not installed properly (ring burr, hopper gasket or cone burr stack), a clog in the grind chamber, or a grinder whose finest settings need the included shims. If the grind is still too coarse after shimming, Baratza says there may be an assembly or part issue and to contact support.
What do I do if Encore ESP setting 1 is too coarse?
Install one of the shims that ship with the Encore ESP on top of the washer shims under the cone burr. According to the Encore ESP manual, one shim shifts the grind by about five settings, so a grind that needed setting 10 before would sit near setting 15 after.
How much does one Encore ESP shim change the grind?
One shim shifts the Encore ESP grind by about five settings, according to the Encore ESP operations manual. The manual allows one or two shims as needed.
Is it normal for Encore ESP grind settings to change over time?
Yes. The Encore ESP manual says parts settle into place with use, so the setting you use may slowly shift finer. This is normal wear and eventually stops once the parts settle.