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Grind Size Guide

Recommended grind size by brew method. Micron ranges, Baratza Encore reference settings, and contact time adjustment guidance.

Total brew time in minutes. Leave blank for reference guide only.

Recommended Grind

Medium-Fine

500–700 microns

Baratza Encore (reference)

12–18

Your grinder will vary

Reference Contact Time

3.0 min

Start around Encore 15. Aim for 3:00–3:30 total draw-down.

Last updated

How to Use This Guide

Select your brew method to see the recommended grind label, target micron range, and Baratza Encore reference setting. Optionally enter your actual contact time to get a specific direction: coarser or finer.

The Baratza Encore settings are reference points only. Grinder-to-grinder variation is real. Use the settings as a starting point and adjust based on taste, flow rate, and your specific grinder.

Grind Size and Extraction: How They Relate

Grind size determines surface area, flow rate, and extraction rate. Finer grinds have more surface area and slower flow: water spends more time in contact with the coffee. Coarser grinds have less surface area and faster flow: water moves through more quickly.

In filter brewing, if your brew time is running long, the coffee is likely over-extracting. Try grinding coarser. If the brew runs fast and the coffee tastes sour or thin, try grinding finer. The right grind size for a given recipe is the one that hits both your target contact time and your target flavor.

For espresso, the relationship is compressed into a very tight window. A change of one or two notches on a quality burr grinder can shift extraction time by 5 to 10 seconds. This is why espresso requires a dedicated grinder with precise adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Baratza Encore listed as a reference point?

The Baratza Encore is one of the most widely owned entry-level burr grinders, making it a useful reference. Grinder-to-grinder variation is real: two Encores of different ages and burr wear will produce different particle sizes at the same setting. Treat the Encore settings as a starting point and dial in based on taste and flow rate.

Why does espresso have a different warning?

Espresso extraction depends on extremely fine, consistent particle distribution and precise grind adjustment. The Baratza Encore is not designed for espresso: its lowest settings are not fine enough for most machines, and its burr design produces too many fines for consistent espresso. A dedicated espresso grinder (Baratza Sette, Niche Zero, DF64, etc.) is required for reliable results.

What is contact time and why does it matter for grind size?

Contact time is how long the water is in contact with the grounds during brewing. Longer contact time leads to more extraction, so if your brew is running long, grinding coarser reduces resistance and speeds up flow. If it is running short, grinding finer slows flow and increases contact time. Matching grind size to your target contact time is one of the main tools for dialing in a recipe.

Why are micron ranges given instead of a single number?

No grinder produces a single particle size. Even high-end flat burr grinders produce a distribution. The micron ranges reflect the target peak of that distribution for each brew method, based on SCA Brewing Handbook data and particle size research. Think of the range as 'where most of your grounds should land,' not 'the exact size of every particle.'

Does grind size affect flavor?

Yes, significantly. A finer grind increases surface area, speeds up extraction, and can tip a recipe into over-extraction (bitter, dry, harsh). A coarser grind decreases surface area, slows extraction, and can result in under-extraction (sour, thin, underdeveloped). If your coffee tastes bitter or harsh, try grinding coarser first. If it tastes sour or thin, try grinding finer.

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