Finding the grinding level

How you grind the coffee, is the first step influencing the final brew.

Different grinders

Cheaper grinders use rotating knives for grinding the coffee. This makes it more difficult to control the coarseness of the coffee – basicly: the longer time you grind, the finer the coffee gets. So it might take some experimenting to reach the wanted coarseness. This type of grinders might not be able to give the coffee the same level of coarsenes in the same portion of coffee.

In more expensive grinders the coffee is grinded between rotating burrs, or cones. The distance between the burrs can be set on the grinder. On some grinders this is done in steps – on other it is done step less.

Different grinding for different types of coffee

The indications below are more precise than real life, and open for interpretation – coffee making is not a very precise thing.  But the chart might give you an idea, where to start. Grinding levels are both depending on personal taste, and the type of coffee you use.

The pictures illustrating the different levels, is of the beans:  “Brazil, Daterra Monte Cristo” from Climpson & Sons, London. The number settings only apply for the Rancilio Rocky.

							The numbers indicates the setting on the Rancilio Rocky, Click on pictures for detailed view.
Ultra fine / Turkish	Powdered, like flour	Turkish coffee
			Espresso
Extra fine	Finer than sugar,but not quite powdered.
Fine	Smoother to the touch, a little finer than granular sugar or table salt.			Espresso moka pots
						Drip coffee makers
Medium	Gritty, like coarse sand.
Coarse	Very distinct particles of coffee. Like heavy-grained salt for grinding.				French press /cafetiere

The grinding results are more sensitive for changes in the lower end of the scale, than in the upper end.