fine grind · 180-380 microns
Comandante C40 MK4 grind setting for espresso
Start at 10 clicks on the Comandante C40 MK4 for espresso, and stay inside 7-13 clicks. Brew at 1:2 for 25-32 s.
The optional Red Clix upgrade halves the step size for espresso.
- Ratio
- 1:2
- Time
- 25-32 s
- Water
- 90-94 C
Taste, then fix
If it tastes wrong
| It tastes | Why | Do this on the C40 MK4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What you are aiming for
Espresso needs the finest grind of any method. Small moves matter: one step on most grinders shifts the shot by several seconds.
On the Comandante C40 MK4, 10 clicks is the documented start. If your grounds look much finer or coarser than this, your grinder may be calibrated differently: trust the taste, then the number.
Fix the beans too
The grind is set. Now the beans.
Espresso is where stale beans show first. Coffee 7 to 30 days off roast holds a setting; old coffee drifts every day.
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More Comandante C40 MK4 settings
Questions
What grind setting should I use on the Comandante C40 MK4 for espresso?
Start at 10 clicks on the Comandante C40 MK4 for espresso, and stay inside 7-13 clicks. Brew at 1:2 for 25-32 s.
My espresso tastes sour on the Comandante C40 MK4. What do I change?
Sour means under-extracted. Go 1 to 2 steps finer and pull again. Change one thing at a time and taste again.
My espresso tastes bitter on the Comandante C40 MK4. What do I change?
Bitter means over-extracted. Go 1 to 2 steps coarser.
Source
comandantegrinder.com. Settings are starting points; two grinders of the same model can sit a step or two apart.