You will be able to gauge whether you need finer or coarser by either the taste of the coffee (under/over extracted) or by the ease of the plunge. If you have an Aeropress and are looking for a grinder then find out what we deem as the best Aeropress coffee grinder.
What is the best grind size for pour over?
Pour over coffee grind size is typically medium and resembles something similar to ground rock salt.
The biggest give away apart from the taste of your brew when it comes to deciding whether to adjust the grind size for your pour over is the brew time.
If the brew water seems to drip straight through the coffee grounds then make the grind finer or if the brew water just sits on top of the grounds then make the coffee coarser.
What is the best grind size for Cafetiere?
A cafetiere is best brewed with a coarse grind setting.
The coffee grounds may feel like ground pepper. As a cafetiere extracts coffee by submerging the grounds in the water, the coffee grounds have to be large enough so the coffee doesn’t become over extracted.
You may also be able to tell by the ease of plunging the cafetiere, similar to Aeropress if the coffee grounds are too fine then it may be difficult to plunge.
Is the coffee grind size important?
Well hey, it’s coffee. This isn’t life or death here.
However, if your coffee grind size isn’t in the region of optimal coarseness for your desired brew method then you will end up with either a weak under-extracted coffee or an over-extracted bitter tasting coffee.
If the coffee is ground far too fine for your brew method (particularly if you brew your coffee in a Moka pot or espresso) you may not even be able to extract any coffee.
This is because the water will not be able to pass through the fine grounds and can affect the functionality of your coffee maker.
How to tell the grind size in pre ground coffee.
If you purchased pre-ground coffee and it doesn’t say anything about how coarse the coffee is ground, then checkout our coffee grind chart above which should give you an idea of which brew method it is best suited to by comparing to household products such as salt or sugar as well as a brief explanation of how the coffee grounds should taste.
If you still have no idea of the grind size then you can brew a coffee in your chosen method. If the coffee is bitter and over extracted then it is too fine or under extracted and weak then it is too coarse.
Impact of roast levels on coffee grinding
The roast level of your coffee beans plays a crucial role in how they behave during grinding. Light roasts, being denser and harder, typically require more effort from your grinder and may need a slightly finer setting than medium roasts. Their lower oil content means less static cling, but you’ll need to feed them more slowly into the grinder to maintain consistency.
Medium roasts serve as the ideal baseline for grinder calibration. These beans offer balanced density and oil content, producing consistent grinds and making them perfect for testing new equipment or dialling in your grinder settings. When switching between roast levels, it’s best to use medium roast as your reference point.
Dark roasts present unique challenges due to their brittle nature and higher oil content. While they’re easier to grind, requiring less force, they tend to generate more static and can quickly clog your grinder. You’ll often need to adjust to a slightly coarser setting compared to lighter roasts, and the oils require more frequent cleaning to prevent buildup.
Grinder maintenance
Proper grinder maintenance is crucial for consistent, quality coffee brewing. Daily care forms the foundation of good maintenance – a quick brush-out after each use, wiping down the hopper and grounds bin, and running the grinder briefly to clear any retained grounds can prevent most common issues. These simple steps prevent oil buildup and ensure your next batch of coffee isn’t tainted by stale grounds.
Weekly maintenance should be more thorough, involving a deep clean of the burrs using grinder cleaning tablets and a complete clean of the grind path. This is also the ideal time to check burr alignment and ensure all components are functioning correctly. A properly maintained grinder will produce more consistent grounds and extend the life of your burrs.
Monthly checks should focus on wear and tear. Inspect your burrs for signs of dulling, check the calibration of your grinder, and lubricate any mechanical components as recommended by your manufacturer. Pay attention to warning signs like inconsistent grind size, unusual noises, or slower grinding speed – these often indicate your grinder needs attention. Regular maintenance not only improves your coffee quality but also protects your investment in quality equipment.
