Best Grind Size for Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew needs a coarser grind than any hot method — but "coarse" is relative. The right setting depends on your grinder, steep time, and whether you're making concentrate or RTD.
⚡ Quick Answer
Cold brew grind should be coarser than French press — think "coarse sea salt" or "roughly cracked pepper" in size. On a Baratza Encore, this is roughly settings 30–35 (out of 40). Finer than this and you over-extract and get excessive sediment; coarser and you under-extract and get thin, weak cold brew. The coarser grind compensates for the long contact time — you're relying on time rather than heat to drive extraction.
🎯 Key Takeaway: Start at your grinder's coarsest setting and dial slightly finer if your cold brew tastes weak after the full steep time. Cold brew is forgiving — the window is wider than espresso.
⚙️ Grind Size Reference by Method
✅ Grinder-Specific Starting Points
| Grinder | Cold Brew Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore | 28–35 | Max is 40; start at 30, adjust |
| Baratza Virtuoso | 35–40 | Similar to Encore but different burrs |
| Niche Zero | 30–35 (of 50 rotations) | Stepless — mark your cold brew position |
| 1Zpresso JX / JX Pro | 35–40 clicks from zero | Verify by visual / taste |
| Blade grinder | Short pulse (3–4 seconds) | Inconsistent — upgrade to burr for better results |