Part of: Baratza Encore ESP grind settings for espresso and filter coffee
Switching the Encore ESP Between Espresso and Pour-Over
Switching the Baratza Encore ESP between espresso and pour-over takes four moves: know your two home numbers, turn the hopper only while the motor runs, purge a few grams, then grind the real dose.
This routine is compiled from the Baratza Encore ESP user guide and published retention figures, not from our own testing. The full starting chart for every brew method lives in the Encore ESP grind settings guide.
Record two Encore ESP home settings before switching
A dual-use Encore ESP works best with two written numbers: one espresso home setting inside the 1-20 range and one pour-over home setting inside the 21-40 range. The Encore ESP user guide suggests 15 for espresso (medium roast, 18 g dose), 25 for a Hario V60 and 30 for a Chemex. Once you dial each method in with your own beans, write both final numbers on a label or in a brew log so every switch returns to a known point instead of a guess.
| Home setting | Manual starting point | Your number |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso (range 1-20) | 15 | ____ |
| Pour-over, V60 (range 21-40) | 25 | ____ |
Encore ESP switching routine: espresso to pour-over
Moving the Encore ESP from espresso to pour-over is a coarse jump of roughly ten numbers. The Encore ESP user guide says adjustments must be made with the grinder running or completely empty of beans, to prevent damage.
- Start the Encore ESP with the on/off knob, or grind the burrs empty.
- Turn the hopper from your espresso number up to your pour-over number while the motor runs.
- Purge a few grams of beans and discard the grounds (see the purge section below).
- Weigh and grind the pour-over dose.
Leftover espresso-fine grounds can slow a pour-over drawdown. Coffee Chronicler's Encore ESP review recommends purging with some beans when going from espresso to filter coffee to avoid taste contamination.
Encore ESP switching routine: pour-over to espresso
Returning the Encore ESP from pour-over to espresso means turning finer, down into the 1-20 range where each step is small. Keep the motor running while you turn the hopper down to the espresso home setting, then purge before dosing. The Encore ESP user guide describes each click in the 1-20 range as a small change, so land on the exact recorded espresso number rather than a neighbor. The flip-over dosing cup then moves the grounds into the portafilter basket.
How much coffee to purge after an Encore ESP adjustment
Encore ESP purging exists because of grind retention. Seattle Coffee Gear's Baratza guide states that Baratza conical grinders retain about 0.5-1 g in the burr chamber and chute between grinds, and Coffee Chronicler reported about 1.1 g after opening an Encore ESP and scooping out the grounds. The same Seattle Coffee Gear guide advises purging 2-3 g of beans after a grind setting change for espresso. A 2-3 g purge after every Encore ESP switch is a sensible default in both directions; on an 18 g espresso dose, roughly 1 g of coarse filter grounds is a meaningful share, so do not skip it there.
How to check Encore ESP carryover in your own cup
Encore ESP carryover is easy to check at home with a side-by-side. After switching, grind one dose with no purge and one after a 2-3 g purge, then compare them.
- For pour-over: brew both the same way and compare drawdown time and bitterness. A slower drawdown on the unpurged cup points to leftover espresso fines.
- For espresso: pull both shots with the same dose and compare shot time. A faster unpurged shot points to coarse filter grounds left in the chute.
If the two Encore ESP results match, your purge amount is enough; if not, purge a little more next time. A dose, yield and taste log keeps these notes in one place.
Keeping Encore ESP home settings accurate over time
Encore ESP home settings do not stay fixed forever. The Encore ESP user guide notes that grind settings normally shift after several weeks of use as the burrs season. When an espresso shot runs faster or slower on the same coffee and dose, re-dial with the espresso dial-in guide and update the written espresso number; do the same for the pour-over number when drawdown time drifts. A new bag of beans can also move both numbers.
Switching the Encore ESP FAQ
How do I switch the Encore ESP from espresso to pour-over?
Start the Encore ESP motor, turn the hopper from your espresso number (for example 15) up to your pour-over number (for example 25 for a V60), purge a few grams, then grind the pour-over dose.
Should I purge the Encore ESP after changing the grind setting?
Yes. Baratza conical grinders hold roughly 0.5-1 g of grounds in the burr chamber and chute, and Seattle Coffee Gear advises purging 2-3 g of beans after a grind setting change before grinding the real dose.
Can I adjust the Encore ESP with beans in it while it is off?
No. The Baratza Encore ESP user guide says the grinder must be running or completely empty of beans during any adjustment to prevent damage.
Do Encore ESP home settings stay the same over time?
No. The Encore ESP user guide notes that settings normally shift after several weeks as the burrs season, so recheck both recorded home settings periodically.