Comparison: Best Forte Baratza (Updated | Oct 22nd)
Choosing the right coffee grinder can dramatically impact your daily brew. If you’re considering a Baratza Forte grinder, you’re already looking at a top-tier option. But with variations available, which model best suits your needs? This comparison will delve into the key differences between popular Baratza Forte models. We’ll explore features like grind speed, burr type, calibration, and overall suitability for different brewing methods. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision and select the ideal Forte for your coffee journey.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
-
Best for commercial grade:
Baratza Forte BG (Brew Grinder) Flat Steel Burr Commercial Coffee Grinder -
Best for all purpose:
Baratza Forte AP (All-Purpose) Ceramic Flat Burr Commercial Coffee Grinder -
Best for entry level:
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK -
Best for espresso focused:
Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder -
Best for stylish design:
Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder ZCG587BLK -
Best for grind by weight:
Baratza Sette 270Wi-Grind by Weight Conical Burr Grinder -
Best for accessory kit:
Silicone Coffee Grinder Hopper Bellow with Spray Bottle and Dosing Cup and spoon -
Best for dual-range system:
Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK -
Best for precise calibration:
Baratza Vario+ Flat Ceramic Burr Grinder (Black) -
Best for fine tuning:
Baratza Vario W+ Flat Steel Burr Grinder (Black)
Product Comparison: Best Forte Baratza
Commercial Grade
Baratza Forte BG (Brew Grinder) Flat Steel Burr Commercial Coffee Grinder
Baratza
- Specialty Coffee Association Award Winning Grinders – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support
- HIGH PERFORMANCE GRINDING/ ALL PURPOSE / 260 GRIND SETTINGS – 54mm professional steel flat burrs provide high throughput and maintain sharpness. Engineered to produce an accurate and precise grind with a high grinding capacity of up to 5lbs/day. Perfect for dialing in espresso, and all brewing styles. Good fit as a single origin or decaf espresso coffee grinder. The shut-off hopper allows for mess-free, easy removal of the hopper to switch between beans
- TRANSFORM WORKFLOW EXPERIENCE – Built in digital scale for accurate weight based grinding or digital timer with programmable buttons to save up to 3 different presets for repeatable, one-touch grinding. The shut-off hopper allows for mess-free, easy removal of the hopper to switch between beans
- STYLISH – A polished metal body gives this grinder a bold image that makes a statement on your coffee bar, while taking up very little space
- WARRANTY/QUALITY PARTS – Engineered with 54mm professional steel flat burrs by Ditting in Germany, plus a powerful DC motor. This combination creates a consistent grind and durability ensuring the longevity users have come to expect from the Baratza brand. The Forté BG is backed by Baratza’s world class support and a 1 year warranty
All Purpose
Baratza Forte AP (All-Purpose) Ceramic Flat Burr Commercial Coffee Grinder
Baratza
- The Forté-AP (All Purpose grinder) can grind from coarse to fine and comes with a 54mm flat ceramic burr, grounds bin for use when grinding by weight, plus a portaholder for use when grinding directly to your portafilter.
- a compact, commercial grade grinder, dedicated to grinding for ALL brew methods. The Forté-AP incorporates many features that fit well into commercial operations, including: all metal construction; small footprint; intuitive control panel; and solid macro/micro adjustment.
- Grind by time, for espresso dosing, or by weight. Coffee professionals find the Forté–AP to be a versatile grinder for many situations – as a small restaurant and office espresso/brew grinder, as a Roaster demo grinder for wholesale tasting, or being a dedicated grinder for decaf or single origin in a café.
- This grinder is a durable workhorse using a 54mm flat ceramic burr, which produces an accurate and precise grind, delivering exceptional cup quality for brew methods from espresso to press pot.
- Speed to Grind: Espresso 2 g/sec, Press 3.5 to 3.7 g/sec; Burrs: 54 mm ceramic burrs by Ditting; Bean Hopper Capacity: 10 oz (300-400 g), depending on size & density of bean; Grounds Bin Capacity: 4.5 oz. (120 g); Weight: 13 lbs. (6 kg); Dimensions WxHxD cm: 13x36x18 cm; Power Rating (North America): 110 V AC 50/60 Hz.2.3 Amp; Power Rating (Other): 230 V AC 50/60 Hz. 1.2 Amp; Safety Listing: UL/CSA/CE/EK; Designed & Engineered: Seattle WA.
Entry Level
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK, Black
Baratza
- Specialty Coffee Association Award Winning Grinders – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- Go-To Entry Level Grinder – Baratza’s best-selling grinder, with its small footprint, is THE choice for brewing coffee at home. Available in White or Black.
- User Friendly – A convenient, front-mounted pulse button, plus a simple ON/OFF switch make it easy to grind fresh coffee.
- 40 Grind Settings – Engineered with 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs that help you explore the extensive range of brew methods (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
- Quality & Warranty – European-manufactured hardened steel burrs powered by a mighty DC motor. The longevity you expect from Baratza. Backed by world-class support and 1 year warranty. 2020 Update has same trusted functionality with a sleek new exterior.
Espresso Focused
Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Baratza
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- DOSING – 3 programmable dosing buttons for accurate, consistent dosing to within a 10th of a second. This allows you to save 3 different doses for a variety of uses. Dual dosing options – grind directly into a portafilter or grounds bin/brewing device.
- EXCEPTIONAL ESPRESSO GRINDER – The Sette delivers beautiful espresso and is also capable of grinding for manual brewing methods requiring a finer grind (e.g. Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, some drip brewers).
- 270 GRIND SETTINGS – Macro/Micro adjustment for the most precise dial-in capabilities. A built-in convertible device holder allows for convenient change between a portafilter or supplied grounds bin.
- HIGH SPEED GRINDING – Up to 5g/second and minimal retention in the innovative straight-thru grind mechanism.
Stylish Design
Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder ZCG587BLK, Black
Baratza
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- DIGITAL TIMER and BACKLIT GROUNDS BIN – a 40-second digital timer, adjustable to a tenth of a second, and an LED backlit grounds bin to dose ground coffee accurately and consistently.
- 40 GRIND SETTINGS – With enhanced commercial-grade conical burrs to help you explore an extensive range of brew methods (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
- STYLISH – A sculptured metal top and base give the Virtuoso+ a modern image that highlights your coffee corner.
- Quality & Warranty – European-manufactured hardened steel burrs powered by a mighty DC motor. Consistent grind, durability, and the longevity you expect from Baratza. The Virtuoso+ is backed by our world class support and a 1 year warranty.
Grind by Weight
Baratza Sette 270Wi-Grind by Weight Conical Burr Grinder
Baratza
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS – The Sette 270W was awarded Best New Product 2016 at Specialty Coffee Association Expo. Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- GRIND BY WEIGHT – The first ever espresso grinder to offer a grind-by-weight feature, using Acaia weighing technology and bluetooth functionality, with 3 programmable dosing buttons for accurate, consistent dosing to within a 10th of a gram.
- EXCEPTIONAL ESPRESSO GRINDER – The Sette delivers beautiful espresso and is also capable of grinding for manual brewing methods requiring a finer grind (e.g. Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, some drip brewers).
- 270 GRIND SETTINGS – Macro/Micro adjustment for the most precise dial-in capabilities. A built-in convertible device holder allows for convenient change between a portafilter or supplied grounds bin.
- HIGH SPEED GRINDING – Up to 5g/second and minimal retention in the innovative straight-thru grind mechanism.
Accessory Kit
Silicone Coffee Grinder Hopper Bellow with Spray Bottle and Dosing Cup and spoon, Compatible with Baratza Encore, Virtuoso+, Forte Models (Aluminum)
OCTPLAY
- COMPLETE SET: Includes silicone bellow hopper with woodenAluminum lid, 10ml spray bottle, coffee bean dosing cup, and measuring spoon for a complete grinding solution
- COMPATIBILITY: Perfectly fits multiple Baratza models including Encore, Encore ESP, Forte BG, Forte AP, Virtuoso+, Vario+, Vario W, and Vario W+
- RETENTION REDUCTION: Silicone bellow design helps minimize coffee grounds retention in the grinder, ensuring fresher and more precise grinding results
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Durable black silicone bellow with elegant woodenAluminum top lid provides long-lasting performance and aesthetic appeal
- PRECISE DOSING: Included measuring accessories help achieve consistent coffee portions for the perfect brew every time
Dual-Range System
Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK, Black
Baratza
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD-WINNING GRINDERS – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and tops the list of review sites like Wirecutter.
- DUAL-RANGE ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM – This innovative multi-purpose adjustment mechanism features micro-steps from #1-20 for high resolution espresso grinding, and macro-steps from #21-40 suitable for filter brewing methods.
- USER FRIENDLY – Fresh coffee is as simple as a single-handed hopper twist for grind size adjustment, then a push of the front-mounted pulse button, or a turn of the ON/OFF switch.
- QUICK-RELEASE BURR – The burr mounting system has been redesigned to allow for quick removal without taking the entire grinder apart. That means it’s easier than ever to clean and maintain the Encore ESP without the need for extra tools.
- Quality Parts & Warranty – European-manufactured hardened steel burrs powered by a mighty DC motor. The longevity you expect from Baratza, backed by world-class support and 1 year warranty.
Precise Calibration
Baratza Vario+ Flat Ceramic Burr Grinder (Black)
Baratza
- BURRS: At the heart of the Vario+ are durable 54mm ceramic flat burrs from commercial burr manufacturer, Ditting. The burrs are encased in an upgraded metal grind chamber to improve consistency, from cup to cup.
- DIGITAL CONTROL PANEL: The front-mounted control panel with LED display is easy and intuitive. The Vario+ allows you to save up to 3 time-based presets for your automatic dosing so you can maximize your workflow.
- GRIND ADJUSTMENT: Offering 220 steps of macro and micro grind settings optimized with an espresso calibration that can be customized, this grinder keeps its original multipurpose design, while allowing you to further hone in that elusive god shot.
- SHUT OFF HOPPER: A 300g hopper with the ability to remove it from the grinder, while the beans are still in it, enabling easier changeover of beans!
- GRINDS LEFT IN GRINDER: To maximize freshness, the Vario+ minimizes the ground coffee left in the grinder. With 2 LED lights you can check on your grounds bin or portafilter to oversee the process.
- BREWING METHODS & CALIBRATION: The Vario+ is exceptional for espresso, calibrated at the factory to finer settings and manual brewing methods. The burrs can be easily calibrated using the special calibration tool that comes with the grinder.
- MOTOR: A powerful, high torque DC motor effortlessly drives the burrs. This motor turns slowly resulting in cool, quiet operation and permits long grinding duty-cycles. The circuitry is equipped with an automatically resetting, thermal cutoff switch.
- PORTAHOLDER & GROUNDS BIN: The Vario+ comes standard with a heavy-duty Metal PortaHolder and a regular 180g grounds bin.
Fine Tuning
Baratza Vario W+ Flat Steel Burr Grinder (Black)
Baratza
- BURRS: The steel burrs of the Vario W+ are dedicated to grinding for all brew methods including espresso through manual brew and beyond. They have been designed to enhance the flavor in the cup with a broad range of grind range (230 microns to 1150 microns) and a narrow particle distribution (lack of fines), the hallmarks of the superiority with the Vario Series steel burrs.
- DIGITAL CONTROL PANEL: The front-mounted control panel with LED display is easy and intuitive. Three programmable buttons allow the user to program in the desired weight (+/- 0.1). Simply press the START button and the Vario W+ automatically delivers precise dosing.
- GRIND ADJUSTMENT: The Vario W+ offers macro and micro adjust for fine tuning with ease. The macro adjust moves from fine to coarse grinding in 10 distinct and repeatable settings. A secondary micro adjust arm further divides each of the 10 macro steps into 22 distinct settings. These steps enable you to dial in the exact grind for the perfect shot.
- GRINDS LEFT IN GRINDER: To maximize freshness, the Vario W+ minimizes the ground coffee left in the grinder.
- BREWING METHODS: The Vario W+ is exceptional for espresso and manual brewing methods. When grinding for espresso it is recommended to keep coffee in the hopper; we do not recommend singledosing for espresso though single-dosing is fine for all other brew methods with grind sizes above the espresso range!
- MOTOR: A powerful, high torque DC motor effortlessly drives the burrs. This motor turns slowly resulting in cool, quiet operation and permits long grinding duty-cycles. The circuitry is equipped with an automatically resetting, thermal cutoff switch.
- HOPPER: The hopper holds approximately 300g of coffee. An innovative bean shutoff feature in the collar permits no-mess, no-fuss hopper removal for changing out beans. Bean “waste” (below the stopper) averages a surprisingly low 10g, once the hopper has been shut off (all weights are bean density dependent).
- CALIBRATION: The Vario W+ is calibrated at the factory to ensure an accurate range of grind. If necessary, the Vario W+ burrs can be easily calibrated using the special calibration tool that comes with the grinder.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What are the main differences between the Baratza Forte BG and AP models?
The Forte BG uses steel burrs optimized for brewing, while the Forte AP uses ceramic burrs designed as an all-purpose grinder.
Which Baratza Forte model is better for espresso?
The Forte AP, with its ceramic burrs, is generally preferred for espresso due to its ability to produce a finer, more consistent grind.
Is the Baratza Forte suitable for home use?
While designed for commercial use, the Baratza Forte can be used at home, but its size and price point are higher than typical home grinders.
What type of burrs do the Baratza Forte BG and AP have?
The Baratza Forte BG has flat steel burrs, and the Baratza Forte AP has flat ceramic burrs.
How does the grind quality of the Forte compare to other Baratza grinders like the Encore or Sette?
The Forte series offers significantly higher grind consistency and precision compared to the Encore and Sette models, making it suitable for more demanding applications.
Are the Baratza Forte BG and AP grinders stepless?
Yes, both the Baratza Forte BG and AP grinders feature stepless grind size adjustment, allowing for very fine-tuned control.
Which Baratza Forte model is more durable?
Both the BG and AP are built to last, but steel burrs (BG) are known for their longevity, while ceramic burrs (AP) can be more prone to chipping if misused.
