If the coffee runs too fast, grind finer. If it runs slowly or drips, grind coarser.
Change the setting in small steps and test again. The grind needs readjusting when the coffee or the humidity changes, and the burrs must be replaced according to the manufacturer.
The basic logic
- Coffee runs too fast and tastes watery: grind finer.
- Coffee runs slowly, drips or tastes bitter: grind coarser.
Adjusting step by step
- Keep the dose in the basket consistent.
- Change the grinder setting by one small step.
- Discard the first coffee, because the grinder still holds coffee from the previous setting.
- Test by taste and extraction time, and repeat if needed.
Common adjustment mistakes
- Changing several things at once (grind, dose, tamping): you cannot tell what made the difference.
- Big jumps in the setting: change it one small step at a time.
- A grinder that is never cleaned: old residue spoils the taste.
Note the setting that works
When you find a setting that gives good coffee, write it down with the dose and the blend. You can then return to it quickly after cleaning or a change of blend. The grind log in our printable PDF checklists helps.
When to readjust
When the coffee or the humidity of the room changes, and as the burrs wear. When adjusting no longer helps, see when the burrs need replacing. For the overall extraction see espresso extraction.