500-800 microns · 1:16 · 4-6 min
Drip coffee maker grind size: medium
Flat-bottom drip baskets like a medium grind, close to coarse sand. Use the ratio, not the scoop marks on the carafe.
| Grinder | Start at | Range | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Zpresso J-Max | 2.3.0 | 2.0.0-2.6.0 | Guide → |
| 1Zpresso JX-Pro | 2.7.0 | 2.4.0-3.0.0 | Guide → |
| 1Zpresso K-Ultra | 6.0 | 5.0-7.0 | Guide → |
| 1Zpresso Q2 | 1.6.0 | 1.2.0-2.0.0 | Guide → |
| Baratza Encore | 18 | 18 | Guide → |
| Baratza Encore ESP | 28 | 28 | Guide → |
| Baratza Sette 270 | 20 | 15-25 | Guide → |
| Baratza Virtuoso+ | 18 | 18 | Guide → |
| Breville Smart Grinder Pro | 52 | 49-54 | Guide → |
| Capresso Infinity | Medium | Medium | Guide → |
| Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 | Medium | Medium | Guide → |
| Fellow Ode Gen 1 | 5 | 4-6 | Guide → |
| Fellow Ode Gen 2 | 8 | 7-9 | Guide → |
| Fellow Opus | 8 | 7-9 | Guide → |
| KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder KCG8433 | 45 | 36-54 | Guide → |
| OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder | 8 | 6-10 | Guide → |
Not built for drip machine: Breville Barista Express (built-in grinder).
If your drip machine tastes wrong
| It tastes | Why | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, thin, sharp | Under-extracted: water ran through too fast | Go 1 to 2 steps finer so the drawdown slows |
| Bitter, dry, astringent | Over-extracted or the bed choked | Go 1 to 2 steps coarser so the drawdown speeds up |
| Drawdown far past target time | Grind too fine or too many fines | Go 2 steps coarser; check the burrs are clean |
| Weak but balanced | Too little coffee for the water | Tighten the ratio half a step, e.g. 1:16 to 1:15.5 |
Fix the beans too
Fresh beans hold a grind setting.
Coffee changes as it ages, so a setting that works on day 10 drifts by day 40. A subscription keeps the beans in the window.
Trade CoffeeA quiz matches you to beans from 50+ roasters, shipped fresh on your schedule.Atlas Coffee ClubA single-origin coffee from a different country every month.
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