Pour Over Grind Size

The best grind size for pour over is between 400-930 microns (μm) — the coffee grounds should have a consistensy of grandulated sugar or sand. Use the tool below to find the right grind settings for pour over for your coffee grinder.

Coffee grind size chart

Interested in settings for other brew methods? Check out our extensive tool here.

Written by

 

Yoji and Nathaniel

Published

 

13 Jul 2024

Updated

 

13 Jul 2024

The best grind size for pour over

For a pour over, aim for a coffee grind size like granulated sugar or sand, typically between 400-930 microns (μm). This grind size allows for optimal extraction by ensuring a moderate flow rate during brewing.

The grind consistency is also crucial — too many fine particles will result in over-extracted coffee, while too many boulders will under-extract it. Have both – and you end up with the worst of both. Read further to find how you can avoid this.

There is lots of flexibility when adjusting grind size for specific pour over methods – from the V60 to the Chemex, from the Kalita Wave to the Origimi Dripper – manufacturers and coffee enthusiast will recommend completely different grind sizes. All of these brewers have their subtle advantages, but in the end the grind size varies only slightly between them.

The best grind size for V60

For a V60 you should aim for a grind size resembling fine sea salt, typically between 400-700 microns (μm). This finer grind size allows for a balanced and more controlled extraction process, which is essential for achieving the clean coffee that the V60 is known for. This is because the steep shape of the V60 dripper along with its large aperture, requires a finer grind size that can slow the flow rate.

What should I do if my Pour Over coffee tastes bitter or sour?

If it tastes too bitter:

1. Use a coarser grind — Bitterness usually stems from over-extraction. If your coffee tastes bitter, try using a coarser grind. This decreases the surface area of the coffee, reducing the extraction of bitter compounds.
2. Reduce brewing time — Ensure that you are not brewing for too long. If the water is in contact with the coffee grounds for too much time, it can extract unwanted bitter flavours. Speed up your pour rate to decrease the total brewing time.
3. Less agitation — If you stir or swirl your pour over, try reducing your movements or stopping altogether. Agitation significantly speeds up the brewing process, much like how sugar dissolves faster in hot water when stirred.
4. Lower temperature — Use cooler water, as hotter water accelerates the extraction rate. You can achieve this by letting boiling water cool slightly, using a cooking thermometer, or using a kettle with a built-in thermometer.

If it tastes too sour:

1. Use a finer grind — Sourness generally indicates under-extraction. Try using a finer grind to increase the coffee’s contact time with hot water, enhancing extraction.
2. Increase brewing time — Extend the brewing time slightly to enhance extraction. Begin by adding an additional 10 seconds to your usual routine and adjust as necessary.
3. More agitation — Experiment by gently stirring the coffee-water mixture with a spoon or chopstick to increase extraction. Start with a modest amount to avoid over-extraction, three or four stirs should work.
4. Raise temperature — Using cooler water may lead to under-extraction. Consider using water straight off the boil and taste the difference. There's a common misconception that boiling water 'burns' the coffee, but water cools rapidly upon pouring, so don't worry too much.

The best temperature to brew coffee

Read this article to find the best temperature for pour over coffee.

Perfecting your pour over brew might require some trial and error. Begin with small adjustments to grind size, brewing time, and water temperature until you find the ideal balance.

How to get a consistent grind profile for pour over

It's really important to achieve a consistent (even) grind size, as pour overs are meant to bring our the best flavours from the coffee through clarity, which means you have to reduce fines as much possible.

To achieve a consistent grind profile for pour over coffee, you'll have to invest in a high quality burr grinder that is designed for pour over or drip coffee.

Should I use different grind sizes for different portions/sizes of pour over?

You should adjust the grind size for different portions or sizes of pour over coffee, but it's not strictly necessary.

Smaller pour over cones generally benefit from a finer grind, while larger ones may require a coarser grind to achieve the best extraction.

• Smaller pour over cones extract coffee with less water flow, so a finer grind helps balance brew time and extraction to avoid under-extraction.
• Larger pour over cones allow more water to pass through the grounds, so a coarser grind helps prevent over-extraction and potential bitterness in the coffee.

Although it's not essential, adjusting grind size based on pour over cone size can be beneficial. You can also maintain consistent results using the same grind size across different sizes, ensuring you adjust the coffee-to-water ratio for larger cones to maintain balance in your brew.

Do I need to grind differently for different coffee beans?

Yes, grinding differently for different coffee beans can enhance the quality and flavour of your pour over coffee. Each type of coffee bean, whether it's from a different region, variety, or roast level, has its own characteristics that interact differently with water during brewing.

Are there any specific grind size recommendations for dark and light roasted coffee for a Pour Over?

Lighter roasts typically require a finer grind to maximise extraction. Darker roasts on the other hand (which are far more porous), will benefit from a coarser grind to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.

Can I use a moka pot or espresso grind for pour over?

An espresso grind? Definitely not – it'll clog your pour over. But a coarse moka pot grind setting can overlap with a very fine V60/pour over grind setting. But as a general rule, avoid using any setting associated with espresso or moka pot.

How much coffee do I need to grind for pour over?

As a general rule, when preparing pour over coffee, you'll want to start with about 15-20 grams of coffee per person. For two people, grind around 30-40 grams of coffee. For an even larger portion, make sure you have a large enough dripper to accommodate for the amount of water you'll need.

To figure out how much water you'll need, use our coffee-to-water ratio calculator explained in the just below.

What is the best coffee to water ratio for pour over coffee?

We recommend a coffee to water ratio of 1:15 for a Pour over, but depending on how strong you want your coffee to be, your ratio can be anywhere between 1:14 for a strong brew and 1:16 for a weaker brew.

Coffee to water ratio calculator

Use this tool to find the best moka pot coffee to water ratio for your tastes.

If your coffee tastes too strong:

Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio by using less coffee relative to the amount of water.

• Decrease the amount of coffee grounds you use while keeping the water quantity the same…
• …or increase the amount of water while keeping the coffee quantity the same.

If your coffee tastes too weak:

Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio by using more coffee relative to the amount of water.

• Increase the amount of coffee grounds you use while keeping the water quantity the same…
• …or decrease the amount of water while keeping the coffee quantity the same.

What pre-ground coffee should I use for pour over?

You can use pre-ground coffee for pour over brewing, but we don't recommend it. Pre-ground coffee quickly loses lots of its flavours and freshness soon after grinding, which explains why pre-ground coffee tastes more stale than fresh ground beans.

Although we've said that pre-ground coffee can still yield good brews in a moka pot, the same can't be said for pour over brewing. Unlike moka pot coffee, which can be suited for dark roasted coffee, pour over is much more suited for lighter roasted beans.

Light roasts rely on more delicate flavours which are prone to diminishing into the air after grinding. This is why we don't recommend for brew methods that rely on lighter roasts.

If you're getting pre-ground coffee however, ensure that the grind size matches our recommendations, and store the coffee in an airtight container to maintain its freshness after opening. Avoid light roasted pre-ground coffee, as this will lose its flavour very quickly, and won't create dark coffee that is possible with darker roasted pre-ground coffee.

Pour over grind settings table

Here's all the grinder settings from the tool at the beginning of the article in a neat table. Find the correct pour over settings for over 200 grinders, by brand and model. If your grinder isn't on the list, send us an email and we'll add it!