Baratza Forté Review of Coffee Grinder Machine (Both AP & BG)

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Grinding your own beans just right brings a certain kind of happiness – that moment when the scent strikes you, fresh and earthy, suggesting something very special. The perfect cup is my obsession hence i have tested grinders from all walks of my life. Still, only a few grinders really stood like the Baratza Forté.

Hi, I am Kevin, author of the Espresso Machine Wizard blog, and today I am sharing with you a detailed and honest review of the Baratza Forté coffee grinder. We have recommended this grinder among top 5 commercial coffee grinders of 2025.

First impressions: Constructed like a tank

When I first laid eyes on the Forté, I thought of myself as looking at a tool designed for champions. Its clever touchscreen, neat lines, and strong metal enclosure gave me the impression of ready access to an excellent coffee experience.

It doesn’t look flashy but it looks serious. The weight calms you as soon as you raise it out of the box; this is not just another grinder. This is a deliberately designed mechanism.

Forte Grinding Machine Specifications:

Type of Grinder: Flat Burr Grinder

Application: Light industrial and luxury residential use

Two Models: Forté-AP (All-Purpose) and the Forté-BG (Brew Grinder)

Body: Primarily composed of steel and aluminum, with some solid cast metal components

The surface is a brushed stainless steel

Approximate dimensions (in inches): 14 by 13 by 36 centimetres (5.5 by 5″ by 14 inches)

Weight: Around 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds)

Colour: Metallic silver

Grinding Process:

Forté-AP: 54 mm ceramic flat burrs from
Forté-BG: 54 mm steel flat burrs

Grinder Scope:

AP: French press to espresso (230 microns to 1150 microns)

BG: From 230 microns to 1200 microns and beyond, brew on a French press.

Grind Speed: 2.0 – 3.7 g/sec, variable based on bean density and grind size

Controls and User Interface

Control Method: Illuminated touchscreen

Two Methods of Dosage: Time-based and weight-based

Variable Presets: 3 options for weight or time per grind

Modifying the Grind:

Macro: 10 options

Micro: 26 options for adjusting the detail

A total of 260 different grind settings

Hopper & Grounds Bin:

Hopper Capacity: approximately 225 grams of beans

Grounds Bin Capacity: 170 grams for grounds and includes a sturdy catch bin

Power

Voltage: 220-240V (India/UK/EU), 100-120V (US)

Power Consumption: ~240 Watts

Certifications: UL, CE, RoHS

What Comes in the Box:

The main device

Grounds bin

Porta holder: for espresso makers that employ portafilters

Adjustment instrument

Brush for cleaning

Quick-start guide manual

Features:

Touchscreen Speaking Your Language

Unlike many other grinders with their forest of buttons, the Forté has a snappy touchscreen that lets you quickly select between dosing by weight or time. The tactile feedback is almost as if it knows how you want your coffee. It recalls your settings after setup was done.

It’s considerate as well as brilliant. Every time I tapped it, I found myself grinning.

Burrs Performance

The Forté Baratza comes in two variations: Forté-AP (All Purpose) and Forté-BG (Brew Grinder). I ran the AP using flat ceramic burrs. They cover everything from espresso to French press. In every grind I could sense the accuracy and every particle was nearly exactly homogeneous.

Every espresso shot had layers. Notes of citrus, caramel, and chocolate danced clearly in the cup. Some of my best beans revealed subtleties I had never seen before in the grinder.

Grind Consistency Is Unmatched

The Baratza Forté shapes as much as it grinds. From delicate espresso to coarse French press, I experimented with several settings and found that the consistency held true at every level. Not one cluster nor any mess. exactly ideal, consistent grounds every time.

Once I made a V60 using beans from a nearby roaster – a washed Ethiopian and the clarity was just remarkable. It almost made me cry to taste peach and jasmine so precisely.

Speed Meets Silence

It is shockingly quick. Still, what truly astounded me was how quiet it is for its power. You know some grinders scream like a power tool? not the Forté one. If you’re grinding early in the morning, you can have a conversation without yelling over it that’s a game-changer.

Created for Commercial Use. Built to Last.

The Forté is intended for cafés as much as for home consumption. It can be so battered and yet deliver. In one week, I ran over two kg of beans through it and it never failed.

Even more great? Cleansing is simple. A quick twist and you’re inside the burrs. Not concealed screws or unclear disassembly. Actually, I thrived in cleaning this equipment.

What I Love The Most in Baratza Forte?

Grind-by-Weight is a dream feature: For those like me who enjoy espresso
Perfectly flat burrs for amazing consistency
Solid, compact design that fits any place but feels industrial.
Commercial-grade performance in a home friendly sized espresso in the morning.

What Could Possibly be Better

I shall be sincere in this part. A perfect grinder is not found anywhere. The Forté baratza gets quite close, but here’s what I think could be better:

To fresh users, the price tag could seem exorbitant. Once you use it, you will see why it is worth every rupee.
The hopper lid isn’t airtight, something I wish Baratza would change.
Not great for super coarse grinds like cold brew unless you’re running the BG model.

Comparison Baratza AP Vs Baratza BG

Feature	Forté-AP (All-Purpose)	Forté-BG (Brew Grinder)
Burr Type	54mm ceramic flat burrs	54mm steel flat burrs
Best For	Espresso to manual brew (multi-purpose)	Brew methods only (pour-over, drip, French press)
Espresso Use	Yes, optimised for fine espresso grinding	Not ideal for espresso
Burr Lifespan	Longer lifespan, cooler grinding	Excellent for coarse grinding and brew clarity
Particle Consistency	Uniform at both fine and medium grind levels	Exceptional clarity for medium to coarse grinds
Grind Range	230 – 1150 microns	230 – 1200+ microns
Flavor Profile	Balanced, clean, suitable for espresso & V60	Bright, high-clarity brews like Chemex, Kalita
Recommended For	Home baristas, cafe backup, espresso lovers	Batch brewers, specialty cafes, brew bar setups
Price	$885 – Check Latest Price	$885 on Amazon

Pros and Cons: Baratza Forté-AP (All-Purpose)

Pros:

A Multi-Use Grind Range: Great for any form of brewing, including espresso.
Ceramic burrs allow for cooler grinding, which helps to maintain delicate nuances by minimizing heat.
Dialing in the perfect amount of espresso is easier with weight-based dosing.
Presets on the Screen: For various brewing processes, you can save your grind time or weight and then simply press to continue.
Particularly at the fine to medium grain settings, the consistency of the grind is incredible.
Strong Construction: The metal body has a high-end feel and will last a long time.
Even though it is a commercial-grade device, its compact size makes it easy to place on counters.

Cons:

Not suitable for those on a tight budget; definitely a high-end product.
Not at All Optimal for Coarse Grinds: Those who want cold brew may have to find a way around this.
Not too loud, although you may hear it hum a little louder when grinding espresso on the finer settings.
Because the hopper isn’t airtight, you’ll have to find another storage box for long term freshness.

Check Reviews

Baratza Forté-BG (Brew Grinder) Pros & Cons:

Pros:

Brew Clarity Maximizing Steel Burrs: Use them with your pour-over, drip, or French press for outstanding definition.
Perfect for cafes who conduct batch brewing or have brew bars.
Efficiently grinds medium to coarse materials quickly with minimal lumping.
User-Friendly Touchscreen: Acquires the same intelligent dosage and presets as the AP version.
Easy to Use: Grind evenly in bigger volumes, making it ideal for high-volume systems.

Cons:

Problems with consistency at extremely fine grind levels make it unsuitable for espresso.
Overusing steel burrs might result in a slight loss of flavor, especially when using sensitive beans.
Lack of Variety: Not the best choice if you’re craving espresso one day and Chemex the next.
Somewhat Expensive.

Check Reviews

Is Purchase of the Baratza Forté Worth?

This is more than just a grinder. It is your partner in your quest of excellence. And in all my years running machines and writing about them, I can tell you honestly: few deliver this much delight every single day.

So, the answer is yes, the Forté Baratza is 100% worth it if you’re serious about coffee and not just a starbucks lover. It’s for dreamers, detail-lovers, and those who think coffee is an experience rather than just a beverage.

Kevin’s Summarised Review & Verdict:

Rating: 5/5

It is suitable for: espresso enthusiasts, cafe operators, and home baristas seeking cafe level consistency.

Not for you: If you’re budget purchaser or ocasional drinkers.

If you value taste, experience, and accuracy then the Baratza Forté grinder is the best for you. It will affect your mornings rather than only your coffee.

For Baratza Forte AP Model:

If you like experimenting with many coffee techniques, from delicate pour-overs to rich ristrettos then the Forté-AP provides the versatility and accuracy you need to perfect every shot.

It is best for cafe owners looking for a flexible grinder capable of handling single-origin espresso or serving as a second grinder (for other brews). The AP model operates regularly in both home and light commercial environments and responds fast.

For Baratza Forté-BG Model:

The BG model is perfect for coffee shops needing batch brewing or large volume brew bars. Especially if speed counts, the BG’s steel burrs and speedier output make it ideal for consistent, clean results cup after cup.

If espresso is not your thing and you solely value pour-over, batch brew, or French press, then Forté-BG is for you. It’s a no-compromise grinder providing speed and clarity every time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is the Baratza Forté good for both espresso and pour-over?

Indeed, particularly with the Forté-AP model including ceramic burrs. It guarantees clarity in pour-over techniques like V60 or Chemex and handles espresso with laser accuracy.

2) What is the difference between Forté-AP and Forté-BG?

Forté-AP is all-purpose ceramic burrs. Perfect for espresso and hand-made brew.
Forté-BG is Brew Grinder: Made especially for drip and French press, steel burrs

3) Could I use the Baratza Forté at a cafe?

Totally! It is designed for light commercial application. Many specialised cafes have it specifically for decaf or single-origin brewing grinders.

4) How simple is Forté cleaning?

The cleaning process is extremely simple. One needs little effort to access the burrs. About five to ten minutes of cleaning will maintain the grinder functioning as fresh.

5) For household users, is the price justified?

The cost is quite worthwhile if you make daily coffee and value taste & consistency. It is a friend for the long term.

Author
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Kevin

Kevin Marshal - Espresso enthusiast

Kevin Marshal is the founder and primary writer for Espressomachinewizard.com. His passion for rich, high-quality espresso began during a semester abroad in Italy more than 15 years ago. What began as a pleasant daily practice quickly evolved into an obsession with perfecting espresso at home.

Kevin has spent years researching espresso machines, tasting beans from renowned roasters, and experimenting with various brewing methods. His objective is to help others understand the often-overwhelming world of home espresso. Kevin's goal is to make cafe-quality espresso available to everyone, from machine recommendations to shot-making advice.

Kevin lives in San Francisco, California with his wife, kid, and two rescue dogs, all of whom have refined preferences in espresso drinks!

Review Of Baratza Forté Coffee Grinder Both AP & BG Models

First impressions: Constructed like a tank