How Do I Dial In a New Bag of Beans?
Wasting multiple shots when switching beans is frustrating. A systematic protocol helps you find the sweet spot efficiently without random adjustments.
⚡ Quick Answer
Use the 3-shot protocol: Shot 1: Start with your previous grind and standard dose. Shot 2: Adjust grind based on timing (finer if fast, coarser if slow). Shot 3: Fine-tune yield ratio based on taste. Don't change dose or multiple variables simultaneously—grind gets you in range first.
🎯 Key Takeaway: Dial grind first to hit 25-30 seconds, then adjust yield ratio for taste. Changing everything at once makes diagnosis impossible.
The 3-Shot Dialing Protocol
The Baseline Shot
Start with your settings from the previous beans. Use your standard dose (18g) and the grind setting that worked last time.
- • Dose: 18g (your standard)
- • Grind: Previous setting
- • Yield: 36g (1:2 ratio)
- • Goal: See how far off you are
Adjust Grind for Flow
Based on shot 1's timing, adjust grind to hit the 25-30 second window. Ignore taste for now—just fix the flow rate.
If under 20 seconds (fast)
Grind finer by 2-3 settings
If over 35 seconds (slow)
Grind coarser by 1-2 settings
Fine-Tune for Taste
Now that flow is correct (25-30 sec), adjust yield ratio based on taste. Keep grind constant.
If sour (under-extracted)
Extend to 40-45g out (1:2.2 ratio)
If bitter (over-extracted)
Shorten to 30g out (1:1.7 ratio)
Adjustments by Coffee Characteristics
| Bean Type | Grind Adjustment | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Light roast / African | Slightly finer | Higher (203-205°F) |
| Medium roast / Colombian | Your baseline | Standard (200-202°F) |
| Dark roast / Italian | Slightly coarser | Lower (198-200°F) |
| Very fresh (under 7 days) | Coarser than expected | Standard |