Baratza | Forté BG Coffee Grinder

Top Shelf Grinder for Both Pour Over and Possibly Even Espresso

First thing's first: The shopping experience with Cafuné was superb. Extremely quick service. Everything was packed safely. Their loyalty programme makes shopping with them even more appealing. Overall, it’s clear that they care about customer service. I’ve been using the BG (Brew Grinder; as in steel burrs) for less than a month, so this review is probably more of a first impression than anything else. But here’s the bottom line: this grinder is everything you’d expect for the cost. So why would pay so much money for this? Three possible reasons: (1) You want a grinder that will last. This grinder is advertised as commercial grade. I agree. I’ve worked in both commercial and industrial food service, and the BG’s build quality is up to that standard. The BG’s look and function make it the kind of machine that you want to treat well and respect. (Unlike my old Capresso Infinity, which felt more like the standard kitchen appliance it was.) The BG is heavy (stainless steel) but has a kitchen-conscious footprint—it will definitely fit happily on your counter. And the grind adjusting sliders hold firm, but not annoyingly so. They definitely won’t slip out on you. (2) You love Pour Over and want the most out of your premium single-origin beans. If you’re buying premium, fresh roasted beans, you’ll appreciate the micro adjustments. A couple tiny ticks turned my Ethiopia Sidamo from slightly sour to perfectly well-rounded. This has a lot to do with the steel burrs— the BG produces practically no fines and makes the cleanest cup I’ve ever had at home. Setting-wise, for my V60 I’ve been grinding anywhere between 7 and 9 (depending on the origin of the bean). But none of this would likely matter with typical commercial grade coffee—if you’re buying some Starbucks or Peet’s blend, then the BG is probably overkill. Buy the Baratza Encore or Virtuoso instead. (3) You don’t want to buy a second grinder for espresso. Here’s the main reason I bought the BG. I wanted it to double as a grinder for my Flair manual espresso maker. And it works! I’ve been pulling sweet, full bodied shots of Colombian single origin espresso with no problem. But let me be clear here: the Flair requires a slightly coarser grind than a traditional espresso machine. I’m grinding around 2P for the Flair (the burrs start to chirp around 2M). So, between the Flair and the V60, I’m pretty much maxing out the range of the BG. I really couldn’t say whether the BG could handle a typical pump-driven espresso maker. I’m assuming this is why Baratza offers the Forte AP (all purpose) with ceramic burrs, but I can’t comment on that grinder unfortunately. Summary: Would I recommend it? Yes yes yes. I’m hopeful this is last grinder I’ll every buy. I love it and would recommend it to anyone who’s serious about pour over. Or as a match for the Flair. Pros - Highest-level build quality you’d ever need. - Steel burrs make for clean filter coffee every time. - Micro adjustments get the most out of your beans. - Easy to remove the burrs and clean. - Perfect for the Flair Espresso Maker (stepped micro adjustments are more than adequate) - Minimal static cling in the grinds bin. - Grind by weight or by time (which I don’t use because I single dose). - Designed to be repairable. Baratza sells every replacement part you’ll ever need. - Fast enough for home use. Cons - Expensive piece of kit. But you get what you pay for. - There is some grinds retention. Occasionally, I’ll be 1-2g short on a single dose, but not all the time. - Some popcorning of beans in the hopper when grinding. - Probably a little slow for a commercial setting (20g espresso dose in 15-20 seconds; depending on your beans.