How to Clean a Baratza Encore Grinder and Clear Its Chute

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Empty the grinder before disconnecting it

Remove beans from the hopper. With the grinder still completely assembled, grind out the small amount remaining inside; then switch it off and unplug it. Empty the grounds bin and note your usual grind setting. Never reach into a powered grinder or run it with the hopper removed. A useful preparation is to set up a dry tray away from the sink: the metal burr belongs there, while the washable containers can go to the washing area.

Step 2: Lift out the hopper and ring burr

The Encore manual uses the triangle near setting 40 as the hopper removal position. Turn the emptied hopper fully counterclockwise and lift it off. With the adjustment ring fully counterclockwise, align its red mark with the ring burr's red lifting tab, then lift the burr straight out. Keep the hopper gasket with it. Leave the center burr and its wingnut alone; this routine does not require a gearbox teardown.

Step 3: Wash only the removable plastic parts

Hand-wash the hopper, lid, bin and gasket with warm soapy water, rinse and air-dry. Do not put the hopper, lid or bin in a dishwasher. Work around the bin's corners and the hopper's lower opening, where a quick rinse may leave a greasy film. Keep every washed item out of the grinder until dry. Treat a wet underside as unfinished drying even when the visible upper surface looks ready; moisture must not be carried back to the burr chamber.

Step 4: Brush the grinding surfaces without water

Brush loose coffee from the ring burr, the accessible center burr and their surroundings. Keep the brush dry and work in good light so you can distinguish packed grounds from the component itself. Do not wash the burrs or immerse the housing. Baratza's cleaning overview explains why darker, oilier coffee needs closer attention. If using grinder-cleaning tablets, follow their directions in the fully reassembled machine; do not substitute rice or other food as a cleaning medium.

Step 5: Check the exit chute if grounds are not falling

Look at the passage above the removed bin as well as from the burr chamber. Baratza's clog guidance allows the brush handle to dislodge packed coffee from this route while unplugged. Work on visible coffee rather than blindly probing toward the motor. Remove the loosened material and check both ends again. If you cannot identify the passage, encounter something hard that is not coffee, or find damaged parts, stop and use Baratza support. A blockage is not a reason to keep the motor running.

Step 6: Reassemble using the alignment marks

Refit the ring burr with its red tab matching the adjustment ring's red indicator, near setting 30. Seat it fully. Replace the dry gasket with its thicker side inside the burr's plastic rim. Align the hopper indicator with the triangle near 40, press down and turn clockwise until it engages. If it refuses to fit, inspect alignment rather than forcing it. Check that no brush, cloth corner or loose part remains in the hopper before reconnecting power.

Step 7: Test delivery and prevent another buildup

After a clog, Baratza recommends a coarse-grind test. Use a small amount of coffee and confirm that grounds fall freely before returning to your normal setting. Empty the bin before coffee piles up toward the chute; the current cleaning overview suggests keeping it below two-thirds full. For daily use, plan a burr-brushing check about monthly and adjust to visible oil and buildup. Record recurring symptoms separately from cleaning: a motor that will not start, a cracked holder or unusual grinding noise needs investigation.