I was a total skeptic about fancier coffee grinders until I borrowed my friend's Baratza for a week

I've been using the same $20 blade grinder from Target for like 6 years. Thought it was fine, coffee tasted okay. But my buddy Dave kept going on about how a burr grinder changes everything. Finally last month I borrowed his old Baratza Encore while he was out of town. First morning I ground some beans and made a pour over and I swear the difference was night and day. Less bitter, more flavor, just smoother all around. Now I'm looking at the Encore for like $150 and trying to justify it. Has anyone else been converted from a blade grinder? Was it worth the money for you?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony1mo ago

You used a Target blade grinder for six years? That's some serious dedication to bad coffee.

ward.jamie1mo ago

Ha, six years is nothing when you're stubborn and cheap, @the_anthony. I figured uneven grounds just built character in the cup. Eventually the motor smoked out and forced my hand on an upgrade.

mary_martin221mo ago

Oh man, welcome to the club! That first morning with a burr grinder is like taking off sunglasses you didn't know were dirty. I had a similar moment with my old Cuisinart blade grinder - it was loud, made a mess, and I just assumed coffee was supposed to taste a little burnt. But what really got me was how much more consistent my morning brew got - no more sour sips mixed with bitter ones in the same cup. So now that you've tasted the good stuff, do you think you could actually go back to the blade grinder for a week?