How to clean a Baratza Encore

1. Grind out the beans and unplug the grinder

Take any beans out of the hopper, then grind until no more coffee comes out. Use the on/off knob or the pulse button. Then unplug the Encore before you remove anything. Baratza's manual asks you to unplug it before taking it apart or cleaning it.

2. Remove the hopper

Rotate the hopper fully counterclockwise until the grind setting indicator lines up with the triangle near setting 40, then lift it straight off. Setting 40 is the coarse end of the dial.

3. Lift out the ring burr

Turn the grind adjustment ring fully counterclockwise using its tabs, then lift the ring burr straight up by its lifting tabs. The red mark on the burr tabs should line up with the red mark on the adjustment ring before it will come free.

Watch for the black hopper gasket that sits on top of the ring burr. It is easy to lose. Leave the cone burr where it is, along with the wingnut that holds it. Baratza's manual labels the wingnut "do not remove." Taking the cone burr out means opening the case, which is a repair job, not a cleaning one. See how to replace grinder burrs if you need to.

4. Brush both burrs and the chute

Brush the ring burr all over, then brush the conical burr and the chamber around it. Use the brush that ships in the Encore's grounds bin. Work it into the grooves between the teeth, where old grounds pack in.

If grounds have stopped falling into the bin, the chute is probably packed. Baratza's fix is to push the packed coffee out with the handle of the cleaning brush or an unfolded paperclip. Once the grinder is back together, test it on a very coarse setting to make sure everything flows.

5. Wash the hopper, lid, gasket and bin

Wash the hopper, hopper lid, gasket and grounds bin in warm soapy water, rinse them, and let them air dry. Baratza says to hand wash these parts only and keep them out of the dishwasher. Wipe the grinder body with a dry or slightly damp cloth, and never put it in water.

The ring burr stays dry. Brush it clean instead.

6. Reinstall the ring burr and hopper

Put the ring burr back with the red marks lined up, then lock the hopper on. Baratza's manual sets out the order:

1. Turn the grind adjustment ring fully counterclockwise using its tabs.
2. Insert the ring burr with its red lifting tab lined up with the red mark on the ring. Both should sit near setting 30.
3. Check that the burr is fully seated. Then fit the gasket on top, thicker side inside the ring burr's plastic rim.
4. Line the hopper's indicator up with the triangle near 40, press down, and turn clockwise until it clicks.

If the hopper won't go on, the ring burr is usually not fully seated, or the adjustment ring isn't turned all the way counterclockwise. The Encore won't run without the hopper locked in.

7. Use cleaning tablets if you brew dark or flavored coffee

Grind a dose of cleaning tablets, then grind some coffee to flush out the residue. Baratza's manual says tablets may be needed to absorb the oils and smell left by dark, oily or flavored coffee. It also says to follow the tablet maker's directions. For Urnex Grindz, that's one 35 g packet on a medium setting, then about 70 g of coffee, or until no yellow specks remain.

Change the grind setting only while the Encore is running or empty of beans. The manual warns that moving it with beans between the burrs can damage the grinder.

How often should you clean an Encore?

Baratza's manual says a daily-use Encore's burrs should be brushed about once a month. Its general cleaning guide gives every 4 to 6 weeks. Clean sooner if you grind dark roasts. The manual warns that oil left to build up can clog the grinder and damage it, and that a clog is more likely if grounds pile up past the bin's max fill line.

A clean chamber also holds less old coffee, which helps with grind retention. For more on the Encore's settings by brew method, see the Baratza Encore page.

Can you use rice to clean an Encore?

No. The manual says not to grind any substance other than grinder cleaning tablets to clean the inside. Rice is not a cleaning tablet. For other grinders, see how to clean a burr grinder.