180-380 microns · 1:2 · 25-32 s
Espresso grind size: fine
Espresso needs the finest grind of any method. Small moves matter: one step on most grinders shifts the shot by several seconds.
| Grinder | Start at | Range | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Zpresso J-Max | 1.3.0 | 1.0.0-1.6.0 | Guide → |
| 1Zpresso JX-Pro | 1.4.0 | 1.2.0-1.6.0 | Guide → |
| 1Zpresso K-Ultra | 3.8 | 3.0-4.5 | Guide → |
| Baratza Encore | 8 | 8 | Guide → |
| Baratza Encore ESP | 15 | 1-20 | Guide → |
| Baratza Sette 270 | 6E | 3-9 | Guide → |
| Baratza Virtuoso+ | 8 | 8 | Guide → |
| Breville Barista Express (built-in grinder) | 5 | 1-16 | Guide → |
| Breville Smart Grinder Pro | 12 | 1-30 | Guide → |
| Capresso Infinity | Fine | Extra Fine-Fine | Guide → |
| Comandante C40 MK4 | 10 clicks | 7-13 clicks | Guide → |
| Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 | Fine | Fine | Guide → |
| Fellow Opus | 1.5 | 1-2 | Guide → |
| KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder KCG8433 | 63 | 55-70 | Guide → |
| Niche Zero | 13 | 5-20 | Guide → |
| OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder | 3 | 1-5 | Guide → |
| Timemore Chestnut C3 / C3 Pro | 8 clicks | 7-8 clicks | Guide → |
Not built for espresso: 1Zpresso Q2, Fellow Ode Gen 1, Fellow Ode Gen 2, Timemore Sculptor 064.
If your espresso tastes wrong
| It tastes | Why | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, salty, fast (under 22 s) | Under-extracted: grind too coarse | Go 1 to 2 steps finer and pull again |
| Bitter, ashy, slow (over 35 s) | Over-extracted: grind too fine | Go 1 to 2 steps coarser |
| Sour and bitter at once | Channeling: water found a crack in the puck | Keep the grind; stir the grounds (WDT), tamp level, check the dose fits the basket |
| Right time, still sour | Ratio too short for the roast | Pull a longer shot: go from 1:2 toward 1:2.5 |
| Right time, still bitter | Ratio too long or brew too hot | Pull a shorter shot (toward 1:1.8) or drop the temperature 1 to 2 C |
Fix the beans too
Fresh beans hold a grind setting.
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