How To Grind Coffee Beans For Any Style Coffee

by Christopher Worsham

Do you need to grind fresh coffee? Not sure what type of coffee grind is best for your brewing method? Different size coffee grounds a best for specific brewing methods. Whether you are looking for the perfect carafe of cold brew or the best espresso shot, it's all about getting the right coffee grind for the perfect flavor extraction. And that all comes does to the right coffee grind size for your coffee maker. Let's look at how to grind coffee and the best grind size for every brew method and style of coffee.

How To Grind Coffee Beans With Burr Grinder

Assuming you have a burr grinder, making coffee grounds is really easy. It's basically weighing the beans, choosing the grind setting, and grinding the beans.

Skip ahead for steps on grinding coffee with a blade or manual grinder. I even have suggestions on how to grind coffee without a grinder.

  1. Weigh Your Coffee Beans Out: Start by weighing how much coffee you need. I keep a small kitchen scale right next to my grinder so I never have to look for it. And If I'm starting my day super early, I'll even weigh my coffee the night before. Just remember to store your beans in an airtight container or they will start to go stale. Not sure how much coffee to use? I have an article about [how much coffee grounds to use](link to article about how much ground) for every brewing method. 
  2. Set The Grind Setting For Your Brewing Method: Your grinder will have anywhere from 6 to 12 or more grind settings. Most have a dial or knob ranging from coarse to fine settings. Grinders with more settings are great, but it can take a little time to dial in the right one to get the best flavor out of your beans. See the infographic below for the right grind size for your brewing method.
  3. Add The Beans And Turn On The Grinder: Lastly, you need to grind the beans. Basically, add the beans and switch it on. But every grinder is a little different. Sometimes you add the beans first, other times you turn the grinder on first. Check your owner's manual for the right method for your machine. Once the grind finishes, you are ready to brew.

But this grinding process only works for electric burr grinders. The process will be different if you have a different [type of coffee grinder](types of grinders article).

How To Grind Beans With A Blade Grinder

Despite producing a very inconsistent grind size, blade grinders are extremely popular. The only way to control the size of the grind is with how long you leave it on. Most of the time, you end up with chunks of beans mixed with coffee powder. Still, you can approximate most grind sizes with regular practice.

  1. Weigh Your Coffee Beans: Again, start by weighing out the coffee beans just like in the burr grinding method.
  2. Add The Beans To The Grinder: Add the coffee beans to your blade grinder. However, do not overfill the grinder. Putting in too many beans will only make the process more difficult. With most blade models, the beans should cover the blades and come half-way up the side.
  3. Pulse And Shake The Grinder: Now here is the tricky part. Start shaking it like a cocktail shaker, then pulse the grinder for about one second. The shaking moves the beans around the grinder, while the blades chop them up. This is the best way to get the most consistent grind possible.. 
  4. Check The Size Of The Grind Regularly: If you are just learning your grinder, check the grind after every pulse to see if it's right for your brewing method. But as you get used to grinding, you might be able to do two or three pulses before checking. Repeat the process until the grind is right.

This process can be annoying, but it's the best way to get a uniform grind from a blade machine. The only benefit of the shake, pulse, and check process is that the grinder doesn't get a chance to heat up. Running a blade grinder too long will heat the beans and can negatively impact the flavor of your coffee.

How To Grind Beans With A Manual Grinder

Manual grinders offer the most control but also take the most effort since you supply the power with your arm strength. They are also popular with hikers and campers because they don't need electricity. 

  1. Weigh Out And Add The Beans To The Grinder: Once again, start by weighing the beans. Then add them to the grinder. 
  2. Dial In The Grind Setting: Most manual grinders have a dial or knob to set the size of the grind. This controls the space in between the burrs to create a consistent grind size. See my chart below for the right size for your brewing method and compare that with the manual for your grinder.
  3. Crank The Grinder: Finally, put on the lid and grind your coffee. For the best grind, use steady speed and pressure. This minimizes heat while evenly grinding all the beans. The exact grind time will depend on your model and how much coffee you need. 

Manual grinders take some getting used to, but they are basically really large pepper mills. And with the right settings, you will always get the perfect grind for your coffee maker.

How Do You Grind Coffee Beans Without A Grinder?

So, you don't have a coffee grinder? If you get crafty, you probably have at least one way to grind coffee with items you already have at home.

  1. Spice Grinder: Spice grinders are basically blade grinders. As much as I dislike them, they're the best option for grinding coffee if you don't have another grinder. Follow the blade grinder instructions above for the most consistent coffee.
  2. Mortar And Pestle: You can also use a mortar and pestle. It will take some effort, but you can grind coffee this way. Remember to work slowly and mix the beans regularly to get a consistent grind.
  3. Rolling Pin (Or A Mallet) And A Bag: They won't be very uniform, but blunt force will definitely crack open your coffee beans. Put the beans in a plastic or cloth bag, then pound them with a rolling pin, meat tenderizer, hammer, or mallet. It helps to put the bag in between two towels. Otherwise, the beans can rip the bag - especially plastic bags.
  4. Blender Or Food Processor: This isn't an efficient way to grind coffee beans, but you can use a blender or food processor in a pinch. While they will chop up the beans, it can take a really long time. The motor will create heat, which cooks the beans and limits the flavor potential. 
  5. Knife And A Cutting Board: Lastly, chop the beans with the knife. Personally, I think it's a little dangerous, but it will work. If you choose to go this route, I recommend crushing the beans a little first. This will help keep them from rolling around on the cutting board.

None of these methods will make the best cup of coffee you have ever had, but you will have grounds you can brew with.

What Are The Best Grinds For Every Coffee Brewing Method?

Some grinders have a dozen or more settings, but there are generally 7 distinct grind settings for brewing coffee. Each grind is best for specific brewing methods.

While you can technically use any grind to brew any coffee, you might not get the best flavor out of the beans. Although rare, you could even damage your equipment. So, always use the right grind for the coffee maker or brewing method you are using.

Coarse grinds are best for slower brewing methods that either have built-in metal screen filters or that are strained before drinking. Medium grinds are typically used with coffee makers with paper filters that have a moderate brew time. Fine grinds are usually best for fast, hot brewing methods like percolator pots and espresso makers.

[Grind Size Table] Data: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sw4LJNYaV1eVTt-NxwVpx97ghvMPv4VvSejsZZfARo0/edit?usp=sharing

Extra Coarse Grind

Best for making cold brew coffee, an extra coarse coffee grind is just barely ground. The beans are cracked, but very still very coarse and chunky. Use it to make cold brew. The large chunk size works great for a slow extraction that leaves the coffee smooth and pleasant.

Coarse Grind

Coarse grind is slightly smaller but still chunky. It should look like coarse sea salt. It is best for French presses, large percolator coffee makers, and brewing cowboy coffee. The large grind size ensures a slow extraction with a bold, consistent flavor.

Medium-Coarse Grind

About the size of kosher salt, medium coarse coffee is one of the most common grinds for home use. It's perfect for most auto-drip coffee makers, as well as Vietnamese cà phê sữa đá coffee phins and Chemex coffeemakers. This grind size offers the perfect extraction rate for the brew time.

Medium Grind

Medium is another common grind setting, usually the size of sand. It provides the right extraction for pour-over cones and siphon coffee makers. You can use medium grinds for auto-drip coffee, but they tend to make bold or even slightly harsh coffee.

Medium-Fine Grind

Medium fine ground coffee should look like table salt. It is best for AeroPress-style makers, Moka pots, and making Cuban coffee. The finer grind ensures good flavor extraction without grounds ending up in your coffee cup.

Fine Grind

Find ground coffee looks like table sugar and is perfect for espresso makers. Espresso machines brew fast, usually 20 to 30 seconds. This grind size ensures the flavors are extracted in an extremely short brew time without becoming overly harsh or bitter.

Extra-Fine Grind

Extra fine grounds are almost exclusively used to make Turkish coffee. The grounds should look like flour or powdered sugar. Because of the extra-fine grind, you will always have at least a little coffee grounds in your cup.

Coffee Grind Size Chart Infographic

[Grind Size Infographic] EX: https://bigcupofcoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/visual-coffee-grind-chart.jpg

Why Does The Size Of The Coffee Grind Matter?

Grinding coffee is all about extracting flavor from the beans. The grinding process increases the surface area of beans, making it easier to extract the oils, flavors, and aromatic compounds that make an incredible and complex cup of coffee.

To get the best flavor, you need to grind the coffee to create the best extraction rate and uniformity for your brewing method.

  • Extraction Rate: The grind determines how fast or slow water will extract flavors from the coffee beans. Coarse grinds generally extract slowly, while fine grinds tend to extract quickly.
  • Extraction Uniformity: This is a fancy way of saying how evenly the coffee grounds extract. Finer ground coffees tend to extract more evenly than coarse grinds. A more uniform extraction creates a smooth and pleasant flavor. 

However, the wrong grind can lead to over or under extracted coffee. This could be anything from weak and watery to extremely harsh and bitter.

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