foxhole-coffee.polsia.app/field-manual/grind-size-guide — Printed
No more guessing. Every method, every setting.
Grind size is the single most important variable in brewing — more than water temp, more than ratio. Get it wrong and you’ll fight your way to a bad cup. Get it right and the method takes care of itself. This guide covers every method we sell beans for.
See chart below
See chart
See chart
See chart
Like table salt. Slightly finer than standard auto-drip.
Finer than V60. Think of fine sand. Prevents channeling under pressure.
Like raw sugar. Large, irregular particles. Nothing powdery.
Coarser than V60, finer than French Press. The baseline grind.
Fine enough that your machine can compress it. Espresso setting on burr grinders.
Like flaky sea salt. Steep time does the extraction — grind can’t be too coarse.
Grind fresh. Every time. It’s the single biggest variable. Still unsure? Take the Roast Match quiz — we’ll match you to the right grind and roast.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sour / Fast Extraction | Grind coarser |
| Bitter / Slow Extraction | Grind finer |
| Stalling (V60/AeroPress) | Grind coarser, reduce agitation |
| Muddy (French Press) | Grind coarser, let grounds settle 30 sec |
Q: What setting should I use for my specific grinder?
Grinder brands use different naming systems. Use this guide as a reference, then dial in based on the flavor. Sour = coarser. Bitter = finer. Adjust in small steps and track what you change.
Q: Blade grinder vs. burr grinder — does it matter?
Yes. Blade grinders produce inconsistent particle sizes, which leads to uneven extraction. A burr grinder (even a cheap $100 one) produces a much more even grind and is the single best upgrade you can make.
Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee with this guide?
Pre-ground is ground to a medium grind suitable for auto-drip. It can work in a French Press if you don’t mind some muddiness, but it will be stale within days of opening the bag. Grind fresh whenever possible.
Q: How often should I clean my grinder?
Run a grind-through of rice or specially-formulated grinder cleaner every 2-4 weeks to remove coffee oil buildup. Old oils go rancid and affect flavor.
Q: What’s the difference between grind size and dose?
Grind size is how fine the particles are. Dose is how much coffee you use. Both affect extraction — but grind size has a much larger effect. Start with the grind size in this guide, then adjust dose if needed.
All six methods. Every ratio, every setting. Foxhole tactical styling. Printable PDF — delivered to your inbox right now.
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