Ask the Experts: What is a Standard Grinder Setting?

Q. I have a Rocky Doser grinder and would like to know what the standard setting is for my Quick Mill Alexia espresso machine. Can you tell me what number you have your demo model set to? A. Unfortunately, there is no standard setting for grinders and machines. Each grinder is going to be engineered a little bit differently, so while we could give you a rough estimate of the range, the best way to determine your grinder's setting is to go through the calibration process. To calibrate your grinder to your espresso machine, you need to time your shots. The standard timing for a double shot is between 25 - 30 seconds for two shot glasses filled to the 1.5 oz line. When you initiate your shot, you want the extraction to begin 7 - 10 seconds after, and then the espresso should run smoothly into the shot glasses until they're full at that 25 - 30 second range. Note that this is for a standard shot and there are other shot styles out there (ristretto or luongo) that have shorter or longer extraction time frames. For the purposes of calibration, however, we'll stick with the standard. Start with your grinder in a lower end setting -- for stepped grinders, maybe start around 5 or 10. Grind and tamp and then time the shot: If it's coming out too slowly, you know your grind is too fine and you'll need to make it coarser; if it's coming out too quickly, then the converse is true and you'll need to make that too-coarse grind finer. Keep an eye on your tamp because that could also being affecting it -- too hard means too slow, too soft means too fast. Continue to experiment until your shot extraction occurs within the standard time frame. Once you have calibrated your grinder to produce a shot at the rate and consistency described above, make a note of it. This is something that will need to be tweaked regularly -- especially if you live somewhere with extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year, as the environment and weather will impact the nature of the bean. You'll also need to recalibrate if you try different beans, as they will have unique grind requirements. The most important thing to keep in mind is that calibrating and getting familiar with your grind is a crucial element to producing delicious espresso, so don't be afraid to experiment or change it often! Espresso is as much art as it is science -- tweak it to your individual preferences, regardless of any tenets you may read elsewhere...after all, isn't that why you decided to make espresso at home in the first place?