Dial-in order: grind, dose, water

Why Order Matters

• Dialing in coffee involves balancing extraction and strength.
• Changing multiple variables at once makes troubleshooting difficult.
• Following a stepwise order simplifies adjustments.

Step 1: Grind Size

• Most impactful variable—affects flow rate, contact time, and extraction.
• Start at a recommended baseline (medium-fine for pour-over, coarse for French press).
• Adjust finer if brew tastes sour/under-extracted, coarser if bitter/over-extracted.

Step 2: Dose

• Controls strength (concentration) more than extraction.
• Standard ratios: 1:15–1:17 for filter, 1:2 for espresso.
• Increase dose for stronger cup, decrease for lighter—but keep within reasonable range.

Step 3: Water

• Water quality influences flavor clarity and extraction balance.
• Use filtered or remineralized water to stay within SCA guidelines.
• Experiment with bicarbonate and magnesium levels once grind and dose are consistent.

Practical Dial-In Workflow

1. Choose brew method and baseline recipe.
2. Lock in dose and water quality.
3. Adjust grind size until flavor balance is correct.
4. Fine-tune dose for preferred strength.
5. Make final tweaks with water mineral content if needed.

Summary

The smart dial-in order is grind → dose → water. Start with grind size to fix extraction, adjust dose to control strength, and refine water for flavor clarity. This structured workflow ensures efficient troubleshooting and consistent results.

• Tags:
• Grind Size
• French Press
• Flow Rate
• Flavor Clarity
• Flavor Balance
• Fine Tune
• Adjust Grind
• Dose Water
• Brew Method
• Water Quality
• Grind Dose
• Medium Fine
• Extraction Balance
• Mineral Content
• Consistent Results