Home Brewing | How to Adjust Your Espresso Grind Size: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Adjust Your Grind Size for Perfect Espresso

If you're new to brewing espresso, dialing in your grind size is one of the most important (and trickiest) skills to master. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to adjust your grind step by step, so you can improve your espresso extractions and get that rich, balanced shot every time.

This guide is part of our espresso series on YouTube.If you prefer watching this tutorial - head over here to check it out!

Why Grind Size Matters

Think of grind size as the gatekeeper of your espresso shot. Too coarse, and the water rushes through too quickly — giving you a weak, under-extracted shot. Too fine, and it’ll choke your machine or taste bitter from over-extraction.

To make things more interesting, grind size is always changing. Yup, even hour to hour. Grind size can be affected by:

• Bean type and age

• Ambient temperature

• Humidity

• Grinder model

Even if you're using a machine like the Breville Barista Express, your settings will likely differ from someone else's using the same gear.

What You’ll Need

• Espresso machine (e.g., Breville Barista Express)

• Grinder (built-in or standalone)

• Kitchen scale (or measuring jug)

• Timer

If using a scale, make sure it's compact enough to sit under your espresso cup and can measure in grams.

The 5-Step Method to Dial In Your Grind

Step 1: Pull a Baseline Shot

Start by pulling a double shot and measuring:

• The yield: 40g of espresso (if using a scale) or 60ml (if using jugs)

• The time: Hit the timer as soon as you start the shot and stop it when you hit your target output.

👉 Example: You pulled 40g in 24 seconds.

Step 2: Compare to Target Time

Now ask: Is that extraction time what we’re aiming for?

Let’s say your goal is 40g in 30 seconds (a common target for a double shot). Since we hit 40g in just 24 seconds, the water’s running through too fast.

Step 3: Identify the Adjustment

Ask yourself: Do I need to go finer or coarser?

• Too fast (under 28 sec)? ➡️ Go finer

• Too slow (over 32 sec)? ➡️ Go coarser

🔁 Analogy: Think of rocks vs. sand. Water flows quickly through rocks (coarse grind) but slowly through sand (fine grind). The finer the grind, the slower the water (or espresso) flows through it.

Step 4: Adjust & Purge

Make a small adjustment on your grinder. Every grinder is different, so move the dial one notch at a time.

⚠️ Important: Before brewing again, purge the grinder. This flushes out any old grounds still in the chamber.

• Breville: grind one dose (≈18g), discard it

• Commercial grinders: purge ≈30g

Step 5: Pull Another Shot & Re-Test

Repeat the process:

1. Pull another shot

2. Measure the time

3. Compare with your target

4. Adjust again if needed

💡 Note: Some machines require multiple tweaks. One dial turn may only change the extraction time by 2–4 seconds.

Tips for Dialling In Your Espresso Starter Pack

Our Espresso Starter Pack is a great way to explore three of our bestselling espresso brews - and a mix of medium, medium to dark and dark roasts.

1. Brazil Dark
Start here. As the darkest roast in the pack, Brazil Dark tends to require the coarsest grind and a shorter ageing time. We recommend aiming for an extraction time of 27–32 seconds.

2. Meebz Blend
Next up is our flagship - a medium-dark roast with a smooth, rich profile. From your Brazil Dark setting, dial the grind finer by about 3–4 notches (if you're using a Breville). For Meebz Blend, aim for a slightly longer extraction of 29–34 seconds.

3. Riviera
This medium roast has a bright, complex flavour. Like Meebz Blend, we’re aiming for a 29–34 second extraction — but you may need to go just a touch finer on your grind setting to hit that sweet spot.

Final Thoughts

Dialing in grind size is a skill every espresso enthusiast must learn. Once you’ve nailed this part, your shots will taste dramatically better - richer crema, more balanced flavour, and a satisfying extraction.

☕️ Want More Espresso Tips?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on Instagram for hands-on brewing tutorials and gear recommendations.