Baratza Virtuoso 586 Coffee Grinder

Owning the Baratza Virtuoso

The Baratza Virtuoso is an upgrade in aesthetics and functionality from its sister machine, the Baratza Encore. Baratza incorporated nickel-plated metal accents with a satin finish into the Virtuoso, which blend seamlessly into any modern kitchen. Like the Encore, the Virtuoso is modern and precise, delivering consistent grounds at a low price point. It also features a weighted base, 40 degrees of fineness, a second generation gearbox, efficient DC motor, and manual or timed grinding operation. Its gear-reduction motor spins at a low speed of 450 RPM to ensure there is no heat or static build up during grinding. Baratza’s updated gearbox is designed to be robust, quiet, and safe, and the Virtuoso will automatically trigger a thermal cut-off switch if foreign objects enter the burrs. Similar to the Encore, the Virtuoso’s 40mm conical burrs are held in place with a precision mounting system to provide a steady platform for accurate grinding from coarse all the way to fine. The new burrs are so efficient that even at the low rotating speed of 450 RPM, they grind a typical espresso dose in 7 seconds. Plus, they’re removable with no tools, making cleaning them very easy. The Virtuoso is built to perform in any situation, easily dispensing consistent grounds for any brew method, coarse or fine, time and again.

The Baratza Virtuoso is very easy to operate. Like the Encore, the grind can be adjusted within a range of 250 to 1200 microns by turning its 8 oz hopper. Once it’s dialed in, grinding can be done either by holding the button on its face, or turning the timer dial for up to sixty seconds of continuous grinding. The Virtuoso’s motor spins the burrs at a low speed of 450 RPM to ensure there is no heat or static build up while grinding. Grounds are dispensed directly into the 5 oz container with no spillage at all, a wow feature of any grinder. If you’re grinding for espresso, an optional portaholder is available for grinding directly into a portafilter. If you’d prefer even greater precision, the Virtuoso can be fitted with a Baratza Esatto, which turns it into a grind-by-weight grinder, capable of accurately dispensing a preset weight within +/- 0.2 grams. The Virtuoso is offers convenience and class to any user who needs a coarse brew method grinder or entry level espresso grinder. If you’d like a simpler, manual grinder with the same great build quality, take a look at the Encore; or, for electronic controls and serious style upgrade, take a look at Baratza’s Sette line.