After spending time scouring the internet for espresso grind settings, I decided to make a list for you to reference.
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Adventures in espresso making.
Coffee is just one of those things I can't live without. When I was in college, I'd study at the local Starbucks almost every day. Sadly, we don't have a trendy, modern cafe nearby, so we stop at every local coffee shop we can find during our travels.
After college, I started making my coffee at home, using a machine similar to this one. The machine worked fine. It allowed me to practice making my coffee at home, experiment with different brands of syrup, and learn how to steam milk.
Although, it was a great, budget-friendly, beginner machine, but it wasn't quite the coffeehouse-style espresso I loved. While it worked for my needs at the time, I found myself wanting something better.
I guess that's just my personality. If I'm going to take the time to do something, I want it to be as close to the real thing as I can get.
So, last Christmas, I bought myself an entry-level espresso machine. After doing some research, I decided on a Breville Barista Touch. Despite the fact, it was the more expensive model, the semi-automatic features fit into my lifestyle much better than the manual versions.
I was just about to turn 30, so maybe it was a mini-life crisis coupled with a longer-than-necessary pandemic. Still, overall, I think it was one of the best investments I've made as an adult thus far.
Jump to:
Struggling to find espresso grind settings
It's been a learning curve, but a good one. After scouring the internet for help on grind sizes, I decided to make a list of espresso grind settings for different brands I try. I hope this will give you a helpful starting point when you are having trouble dialing in espresso. Maybe it will make it less stressful.
Important notes to consider
*disclaimer* this article is for informative purposes only as I cannot guarantee its accuracy. This article should be used as a starting point. Many factors will determine how your espresso pulls. Some of those things include: tamp pressure, water temperature, the warmth of the portafilter, water pressure, extraction time, freshness of beans, personal taste preferences, etc.
>>Want to ensure better results?
- Make sure your portafilter is hot. I pull two (2) double shots for my daily coffee, and the run time on my second shot is always nearly perfect.
- Grab one of these from Amazon. This distributor and tamper combo has made my espresso so much more consistent.
Looking for an espresso machine? Check out these.
How I gauge my espresso grind settings
Please note these espresso grind settings are from a Breville Barista Espresso maker and assume a 1:2 ratio of grounds to the espresso at approximately 15g:30g (give or take).
Additionally, if you are using a brand of beans for the first time, I recommend weighing the grinds before extracting, as the grind times I provide may not equal exactly 15 grams.
Furthermore, extraction times will vary but should be between 22-32 seconds, including an 8-second pre-extraction time recommended by Breville. I always use this scale during my extractions.
Using a different grinder?
The attached grinder has 18 settings. If you use a different grinder, comment below with espresso grind settings for your machine. Tell us what grind settings you use for your brand of grinder.
Craving more? Check out these recipes...
Espresso Grind Settings By Coffee Brand
How I gauge my espresso settings.
These espresso grind settings are from a Breville Barista espresso machine. I use a 1:2 ratio (coffee grounds to liquid espresso), at approximately 15 grams in to 30 grams out.
Additionally, I recommend weighing the grinds before extracting, as the grind times I provide may not equal exactly 15 grams.
Don't forget!
I will be adding new beans and brands frequently, so be sure to bookmark this page.
Counter Culture
Counter Culture Hologram
Flavor profile: Complex and multidimensional with notes of ripe fruit and milk chocolate.
Grind Setting: 05/06
Grind time: 17 seconds (16.5 grams)
Extraction time: ~27 seconds.
Notes: This bean is a medium roast. The espresso tastes amazing with toffee nut syrup, Sea salt caramel, smokey butterscotch, and mocha sauce and the flavors round out well with steamed half and half.
According to the website, this is the composition: 50% Kuichi, Colombia / 20% Aricha, Ethiopia / 20% Dararo, Ethiopia / 10% Muda, Ethiopia
Mad Goat Coffee Roasters
Local to Danville, IL. They opened their doors in 2014 to provide a a welcoming, relaxed environment for people to gather and drink world-class coffee. Their roasts are some of my favorite local coffee.
Guatemalan Huehuetenango
Flavor Profile: Caramalized Fruit, citrus, raisin, with a nutty finish
Grind Setting: 04
Grind Time: 17 sec
Extraction time: 25 sec
Medium-dark
Intelligentsia Coffee
The Intelligentsia Coffee brand was established in Chicago with the intention of bringing better coffee to the area. They opened shop in 1995 roasting their own beans in house.
Intelligentsia Frequency Blend
Flavor profile: notes of milk chocolate, lemongrass, pineapple, and breakfast tea.
Grind Setting: 08/09
Grind Time: 13 seconds
Extraction Time: N/A
Peace Coffee
"Peace Coffee provides organic and sustainably-sourced beans. They began in the 1980's with their founding nonprofit, the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, with a mission to help advocate for long-term systemic change and commodity-farmer profitability. The brand started in the Twin Cities, delivering coffee beans by bicycle."
Peace Coffee Birchwood Breakfast Blend
Grind Setting: 06
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: ~27 seconds
Starbucks Coffee
Getting their start in Seattle, in 1971, Starbucks coffee is known as the largest coffeehouse chain in the world and representing third-wave coffee culture in the States.
Starbucks Pike Place
Flavor profile: Cocoa and toasted nuts
Grind setting: 06/07
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: 27 seconds
Starbucks Veranda Blend
Flavor Profile: Light body with medium-acidity. Soft nutty flavor with hints of cocoa.
Grind Setting: 05/06
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction time: 28 seconds
Notes: When I first tried pulling this bean, I was between a 06/07. After I deep cleaned my machine, I changed the grind setting to a 05 because it was running too quickly. Overall, I really like this one, very delicate.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
The Stumptown brand is based in Portland, Oregon. They purchase their coffee beans directly from farmers with a goal to make the perfect sip by highlighting the beans distinct flavors.
Read more about their story, here
.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender
Flavor profile: Citrus and dark chocolate
Grind setting: 07/08
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: ~25 seconds
Espresso Must-Haves!
Want to ensure better shots?
- Make sure your portafilter is HOT. I pull two (2) double shots for my daily coffee, and the run time on my second shot is always nearly perfect.
Crema Coffee Products | 53.3mm Coffee Distributor/Leveler & Hand Tamper
In my opinion, this is a must, especially if multiple people are using the machine. While I think you should learn how to tamp, there are many variables between you and your cup of coffee.
This remove one of those obstacles, helping to take some frustration out of the equation, especially when someone like my S.O. does not make espresso drinks regularly.
TIMEMORE Coffee Scale
I chose to purchase a scale that only works in grams to keep myself from accidentally making mistakes by using the wrong settings. I also wanted a sleek, square, black one that fits on the drip tray,
*disclaimer* this article is for informative purposes only as I cannot guarantee its accuracy. This article should be used as a starting point. Many factors will determine how your espresso pulls. Some of those things include: tamp pressure, water temperature, the warmth of the portafilter, water pressure, extraction time, freshness of beans, personal taste preferences, etc.
Helen
I can’t get a decent pour until my grind setting is as high as 12. I started off with the pike place recommendations since that’s the beans we were using but the extraction would start far after 8 seconds and it was definitely under extracting. I’m happy with the taste and volume now at a 12 but curious what could account for such a drastic deviation in settings?
mandy
Hi Helen, I don't have a good answer for you. Are you using a Breville barista machine or a different grinder? Other grinders may produce different results. If youre using something else, can you let my readers know? Maybe it can help someone elee.
My only recommendation would be to vacuum out the grinder and make sure the burr is lined up correctly.
However, the most important thing is how it tastes to you. So if you're happy, that's all that matters.
Helen
I’m using the Breville touch. I’m sure each instrument even under the same brand and model are different so maybe that’s why? Today I’m at a 15 grind setting for 16 seconds and that’s the only way to not have a soaking wet puck.
Shannon
Do you have a recommendation for Illy? I want to try some different brands but I purchased a couple cans of Illy because it was the best brand in store, my machine arrived 2 days early and I couldn't wait a second longer to try it. I have Intenso and Classico. I'm also curious if you're using the single or double wall basket. I was using the single and not doing so well so I'm giving the double a try to see if that helps even things out a bit. Thanks for the awesome list, it's really helpful and I can't wait to try some of the brands you recommend.
mandy
Hi shannon!
I only use a double wall basket. I have not tried the illy brand, yet. but I can give you a few tips.
I usually start my grind settings at 5 or 6 with the grind time set around 17 or 18. If it tastes too sour, make the grind finer and too bitter, make the grind coarser.
You can adjust the grind time if you think you're pretty close taste wise. Sometimes, the extraction times are too quick because the basket isn't full enough. It's best to use a scale to figure out your ratio. I use a 1 : 2 ratio, grinds to liquid. 15g of grinds to 30g of liquid.
Hopefully that helps you. I hope you love the machine as much as I do!
Jon
This is a GREAT little article! Three questions:
1) Have you come across any really good decaf espresso beans?
2) I also have the Breville Barista Touch. Have you had any success grinding oily beans with it?
3) How do you gauge whether you need to adjust the grind? Are you judging by how long it takes the coffee to start flowing through the portafilter?
mandy
Hi Jon, thank you!
1. No, I have not tested decaf espresso beans. If you do, please leave a comment, you may help another reader out.
2. Yes, but you have to make sure you keep the grinder clean. Take the hopper out, and remove the burr, coffee gets trapped there. I vacuum mine with an attachment that is reserved for my grinder only. Sometimes, I attach a small flexible straw to the end of the vacuum attachment to get into places I can't reach. Also, I regularly run Umex Grindz brand capsules thru the grinder to help soak up any oil.
3. There are a few different things I do to figure out the grind setting.
a. know my ratio approximately. I do about 15g dry to yeild 30-32g of liquid coffee. And I know that that should take around 25 seconds (give or take).
b. Yes, I watch the portafilter. Breville says it should take 08 seconds, but that isn't the most important thing. Its just a way to quickly see if you're close to yielding 30 grams of liquid in about 25 seconds.
c. Taste. If it's too sour, make the grind finer and too bitter, make the grind coarser.
Also, there's many things that play into how the shot is pulled, so if you're pretty close, it may not be the grind size, but rather how you tamped.
Hope that explanation makes sense and is helpful!