So you bought an AeroPress. Congratulations! You’ve just joined the ranks of many happy coffee drinkers who enjoy the versatility and great taste of this brewing method.
Now it’s time to get grinding.
Grinding your own coffee beans is important for many reasons. It allows you to control the quality of your coffee, and it also lets you customize the flavor to suit your taste. The grind size is a key factor in brewing AeroPress coffee.
Today, we’ll talk about what the right grind size for AeroPress is, how important it is, and the grind size setting using different coffee grinders!
What is The AeroPress?
To understand the grind size of AeroPress, let’s first take a look at the brewing method itself. The AeroPress is a coffee brewing device that was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler.
It brews coffee using the immersion method, meaning that the coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for a period of time before being pressed down with a plunger.
This results in a cup of coffee that is rich and smooth, without any bitterness.
The AeroPress is unique because it can use a wide range of grind sizes. This means that you can experiment with different grinds to find the perfect one for your taste.
However, it’s important to note that the grind size is not the only factor that affects the taste of your coffee. There are many other factors but here is a list of the main ones:
- The Type of Coffee Beans (Arabica, Robusta, etc.)
- The Roast Level of the Beans (Light, Medium, Dark, etc.)
- The Water Temperature
- The Brewing Time
- Coffee Bloom
As you can see, the grind size is just one piece of the puzzle. But it’s an important one! Let’s talk about why.
Read Also: How To Make AeroPress Crema
Why is Grind Size Important for AeroPress?
When we talk about AeroPress grind size, we’re really talking about two things: size and uniformity.
1. Size
The grind size is important because it affects the surface area of the coffee grounds.
The more surface area, the more contact the water will have with the coffee. This means that a finer grind will result in a stronger cup of coffee, while a coarser grind will be weaker.
Extraction also can be affected. If the grind is too fine, the coffee may be over-extracted and taste bitter. If the grind is too coarse, the coffee may be under-extracted and taste weak.
The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle, where you’ll get a well-balanced cup of coffee.
2. Uniformity
Another important factor is grind uniformity. This refers to how consistent the grind size is.
If you use a manual coffee grinder, your grind will likely be less uniform than if you use an electric grinder.
Why does this matter?
Well, uneven grinds can result in over-extraction or under-extraction in different areas of the coffee grounds. You need to always have a high-quality grinder with you to have evenly ground coffee beans.
TIP: Conical grinders naturally produce more fine grinds than flat burr grinders. If you want to experiment with a range of grind sizes, it’s best to use a conical grinder.
Read Also: 21 AeroPress Tips and Tricks to Step Up Your Game
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
What is the Right Grind Size for AeroPress?
For AeroPress the best grind size is medium-fine.
A medium-fine grind will result in a cup of coffee that is well-balanced and smooth. It’s the perfect grind size for AeroPress because it allows the water to extract all of the flavors from the coffee grounds without over-extracting them.
Also, since AeroPress uses pressure to brew the coffee, a medium-fine grind will help to prevent the coffee from ending up in your cup.
So, if you’re using an AeroPress, make sure to use a medium-fine grind. You’ll be glad you did!
Important: If you’re buying pre-ground coffee, an espresso grind is the grind size you should look for. Although espresso grind is a little bit finer than medium-fine, it will work well in an AeroPress.
What About The AeroPress Inverted Method?
The inverted AeroPress grind size is the same as the regular method: medium-fine.
The only difference is that, with the inverted method, you brew the coffee for a little longer than usual so that the coffee has more time to extract.
Don’t forget to pre-wet your filter when using the inverted method! This will help to remove any paper taste from the final brew.
What About The Coffee Beans You Are Going to Use?
As I previously mentioned, the type of coffee beans you use will also affect the taste of your coffee.
For example, Arabica beans are known for their fruity and floral flavors, while Robusta beans are known for their chocolatey and nutty flavors.
Also, using freshly ground coffee beans will always result in a better-tasting cup of coffee than using pre-ground beans. Keep in mind that a medium-dark roast is a good place to start if you’re not sure what roast level to choose.
How to Adjust the Grind Size on Different Coffee Grinders?
Now if you have a grinder and want to know how to adjust the grind size, I’ve got you covered!
There are two main types of grinders: manual and electric. So, I’ll go over how to adjust the grind size on both types of grinders.
- Manual Grinders:
If you’re using a manual grinder like the Comandante, it’s best to start with a medium grind setting and then adjust from there (16 clicks). To change the grind size, remove the bottom part of the grinder (the part that catches the coffee grounds).
Then, use your fingers to tighten or loosen the adjusting ring that holds the burrs in place. The more you tighten the ring, the finer the grind will be.
When you feel comfortable with your grind size, always do test grinds to make sure that the grind is consistent.
The good thing with manual grinders is that they all work pretty much the same way. So, once you know how to adjust the grind size on one manual grinder, you’ll be able to do it on all of them!
- Electric Grinders:
Electric grinders are trickier to adjust because every model is different. So, you’ll need to consult your grinder’s manual to see how to adjust the grind size.
Also, things like weather, dampness and static electricity can affect the grind size. So, it’s important to keep an eye on your grinds and make adjustments as needed.
I will cover the grind size setting for the most popular electric grinders out there and as time passes I will update this post with more grinders.
- Baratza Encore: 10-12 Setting
- Bodum Bistro: 3 or 4 from the Finest
- Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder: 4-6 Setting
- Baratza Virtuoso: 10-12 Setting
- Cuisinart Supreme Grind: Use the Finest Setting
- Breville Smart Grinder Pro: 39-45 Setting
- EK43 Grinder: 2.5-3.0 Setting
- OXO Coffee Grinder: 4-6 Setting
Unlike French Press coffee, which benefits from a coarse grind, AeroPress doesn’t need such a grind.
In fact, a coarse grind won’t create a tight seal between the filter and the plunger and will result in a lot of coffee grounds in your cup.
You can get away with a medium grind most of the time. But, if you’re having trouble getting a good seal, try grinding a little finer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AeroPress Grind the Same as French Press?
All the brewing methods require a different grind size. The French Press needs a coarse grind while the AeroPress benefits from a medium-fine grind.
Is AeroPress Grind Finer than Espresso?
When you brew coffee with an espresso machine, you want to use a fine grind. This is because the coffee is brewed under high pressure (9-15 bars) and needs a finer grind to extract properly.
AeroPress uses lower pressure (0.5-0.75), so you don’t need an espresso-fine grind. A medium-fine grind will do the job!
Which Grinder fits in AeroPress?
The Rhino hand grinder is the grinder that was made specifically for the AeroPress. It’s a great little manual grinder that will fit right inside the AeroPress.
Last Thoughts
Ultimately, using a medium-fine grind will give you the best results with your AeroPress. This grind size will allow for a quick brew time while still providing plenty of flavors.
If you’re using a different coffee grinder, setting the grind size to somewhere between drip and espresso will give you the best results.
And remember, if you’re not happy with your AeroPress brew, experiment with different grind sizes until you find one that works best for you.
Happy grinding!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
