Baratza Forte AP
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The Baratza Forte AP is a commercial-grade coffee grinder that bridges the gap between high-end home brewing and professional café equipment. Built around a set of 54mm flat ceramic burrs manufactured by Ditting, this grinder delivers the kind of rich, velvety flavour profile that espresso purists and filter coffee enthusiasts alike have come to expect from premium flat burr technology. Whether you're pulling shots of our single origin espresso or dialling in a V60 recipe, the Forte AP offers the precision and consistency needed to get the most out of specialty coffee.
What sets the Forte AP apart from standard home grinders is its dual dosing capability. You can grind by weight using the integrated scale (accurate to ±0.2g) or by time (accurate to 0.1 seconds), with three programmable presets for each method. This flexibility makes it equally at home on a busy café counter grinding decaf or single origins, or in a dedicated home setup where you want to switch effortlessly between espresso and batch brew. The intuitive LED touchscreen makes programming and adjusting settings straightforward, even during the morning rush.
Baratza designed the Forte AP with durability at its core. The all-metal construction, high-torque DC motor (70% more powerful than the Vario), and industrial belt-drive system mean this grinder can handle up to 2.3kg of coffee per day in commercial environments without breaking a sweat. The motor runs slowly to minimise heat transfer to your grounds, preserving those delicate flavour compounds you've paid good money for. A thermal cut-off switch provides additional protection against overheating. For home users, this translates to a grinder that will outlast lesser machines many times over.
- Burrs: 54mm flat ceramic burrs by Ditting
- Grind Range: 230 to 1150 microns (espresso through to French press)
- Grind Settings: 260 steps (10 macro settings × 26 micro adjustments)
- Grind Speed: 2.0g/sec (espresso) to 3.7g/sec (coarse)
- No-Load Burr Speed: 1,950 RPM
- Motor: High-torque DC motor with belt drive, 70% more powerful than Baratza Vario
- Power: 230V AC, 50/60Hz, 130W (Class I)
- Dosing Options: Weight-based (±0.2g accuracy), time-based (0.1 second resolution), or manual
- Programmable Presets: 3 presets for weight-based dosing, 3 presets for time-based dosing
- Bean Hopper Capacity: Approximately 300g (10.6oz)
- Grounds Bin Capacity: 120g (4.2oz)
- Hopper Bean Retention: Approximately 10g (with shut-off gate engaged)
- Dimensions (W × D × H): 13 × 18 × 37 cm
- Weight: Approximately 6kg
- Construction: Stainless steel frame with aluminium housing
- Display: Backlit LED touchscreen with capacitive touch activation
- Included Accessories: Grounds bin, adjustable metal portafilter holder, burr removal tool, burr calibration tool
- Safety Certifications: CE marked
- Warranty: 1 year manufacturer warranty
- Designed and Engineered: Seattle, WA, USA
- Manufactured: Taiwan
What's the difference between the Forte AP and the Forte BG?
The AP (All Purpose) and BG (Brew Grinder) share the same robust chassis and motor, but differ in their burr sets and intended use. The Forte AP comes with 54mm flat ceramic burrs optimised for the full spectrum from fine espresso through to coarse French press grinds. The Forte BG uses 54mm flat stainless steel burrs specifically designed for filter and immersion brewing methods, excelling at pour-over, batch brew, and French press but not reaching true espresso-fine territory. If you want a single grinder for both espresso and filter coffee, the AP is the one to choose.
Can I grind directly into a portafilter?
Yes. The Forte AP comes with an adjustable all-metal portafilter holder that can be configured to fit most standard portafilters. Simply remove the grounds bin, attach the portafilter holder, and grind directly into your basket. Note that when using the portafilter holder, you'll want to use time-based dosing rather than weight-based, as the integrated scale cannot weigh coffee in a suspended portafilter.
Is the Forte AP suitable for commercial use?
Absolutely. Baratza designed the Forte specifically for light commercial environments such as small cafés, roasteries, and offices. It's rated for up to approximately 2.3kg of coffee per day and won the SCAA Best Commercial Product award in 2013. Many specialty coffee shops use the Forte AP as a dedicated grinder for decaf, single origins, or retail samples. That said, if you're running a high-volume espresso bar, you'll want a dedicated on-demand espresso grinder alongside it.
How often should I clean the burrs?
Baratza recommends cleaning the burrs every few months with regular use, or more frequently in commercial settings. You can use grinder cleaning tablets (such as Urnex Grindz) run through the grinder, or remove the upper burr carrier using the included removal tool for a thorough manual clean with a stiff brush. Avoid using water directly on the burrs. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of coffee oils and fines, which can affect grind quality and flavour.
How long do the ceramic burrs last?
Ceramic burrs generally outlast their steel counterparts. With proper care, the Ditting ceramic burrs in the Forte AP should grind somewhere in the region of 225 to 450kg of coffee before needing replacement, depending on the coffee and grind settings used. One thing to watch for: ceramic burrs can be damaged by foreign objects (small stones or debris occasionally found in green coffee), so if you're using your Forte with freshly roasted beans from a reputable roaster like ourselves, you shouldn't have any issues.
Can I calibrate the grinder if my espresso isn't grinding fine enough?
Yes. The Forte AP includes a calibration tool that allows you to shift the entire grind range finer or coarser in a matter of seconds. This is useful if you find the factory calibration doesn't quite reach the fineness you need for your particular espresso setup, or to compensate for burr wear over time. The process is straightforward and covered in the user manual.
Does the Forte AP retain much coffee?
The Forte AP retains relatively little coffee compared to many commercial grinders. The innovative hopper design includes a shut-off gate that, when closed, leaves only around 10g of beans below the gate. The grind path itself holds minimal grounds, making this grinder well-suited to single-dosing or switching between different coffees without excessive waste.
Is the grinder noisy?
The Forte AP is notably quieter than many grinders in its class. The high-torque motor runs at a slower speed than typical grinder motors, which not only reduces heat transfer to your coffee but also keeps noise levels down. You'll still hear it working, of course, but it won't be the ear-splitting experience some high-powered grinders deliver.
What's included in the box?
The Forte AP comes with the grinder unit, bean hopper with shut-off gate, grounds bin, adjustable metal portafilter holder, burr removal tool, burr calibration tool, and user manual. Optional accessories available separately include hopper extensions for increased bean capacity and a single-dose hopper for those who prefer weighing beans before grinding.
Can I use this grinder for Turkish coffee?
While the Forte AP can grind very fine, true Turkish coffee typically requires an even finer grind than most burr grinders can achieve. You may be able to get close with careful calibration, but if Turkish coffee is your primary focus, a dedicated hand grinder or ibrik grinder designed specifically for that purpose would serve you better. For espresso, however, the Forte AP absolutely excels.
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Enjoy peace of mind with a 2-year limited manufacturer's warranty. Please note: Baratza products are intended for private household use only. For full warranty details, visit Baratza Warranty Information.
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