How to Grind Whole Bean Coffee for Pour Over
By Copper Cow Coffee | Specialty Vietnamese Coffee | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the ideal grind size for pour over coffee, how to adjust your grinder settings, and step-by-step tips for brewing a clean, flavorful cup with whole beans.
Quick answer
For pour over coffee, grind whole beans to a medium consistency—similar to sea salt or sand. Use a burr grinder set to a medium setting (around 12-15 on a 40-step scale) and adjust based on brew time: aim for 2.5 to 3.5 minutes for a single cup.
Why Grind Size Matters for Pour Over
Pour over brewing relies on a steady, even extraction. If the grind is too fine, water struggles to pass through, leading to over-extraction and bitterness. If it's too coarse, water flows too quickly, under-extracting and leaving the cup weak and sour. A medium grind gives you the right balance of surface area and flow rate.
Whole bean coffee stays fresh longer than pre-ground, so grinding just before brewing preserves the volatile oils and aromatics. For Vietnamese robusta beans like those from Copper Cow Coffee, the naturally bold and chocolatey profile benefits from a consistent grind that doesn't clog the filter.
Choosing the Right Grinder
A burr grinder is strongly recommended over a blade grinder. Burr grinders produce uniform particle sizes, which is critical for pour over consistency. Blade grinders chop unevenly, creating both fine dust and large chunks that lead to uneven extraction.
If you're using a hand grinder, look for one with stepped or stepless adjustment so you can dial in the medium setting precisely. Electric burr grinders with numbered settings make it easy to repeat your preferred grind size once you find it.
Step-by-Step Grinding Guide for Pour Over
- 1. Measure your beans: Weigh out 15-18 grams of whole bean coffee for a standard 8-10 oz cup. Use a digital scale for accuracy. Common mistake: using volume instead of weight. Bean density varies, so a tablespoon can be off by several grams.
- 2. Set your grinder to medium: On a typical burr grinder, choose a setting around 12-15 (out of 40). The grounds should look like sea salt—not powdery and not chunky. Checkpoint: if your brew finishes in under 2 minutes, the grind is too coarse. If it takes over 4 minutes, it's too fine.
- 3. Grind just before brewing: Grind the beans right before you start heating water. Ground coffee loses aroma and flavor within minutes. Common mistake: grinding the night before. Even in an airtight container, pre-ground coffee stales much faster than whole beans.
- 4. Check the bed after brewing: After your pour over finishes, look at the coffee bed. A flat, even surface with a uniform texture indicates good grind consistency. If you see deep craters or a muddy layer, adjust your grind size or pouring technique next time.
Coffee to Try with Your Fresh Grind
- Organic Classic Whole Bean Coffee - 12oz: Developed over the last seven years and the result of hard work and partnership with our growers, organic coffee from Vietnam is finally here! We’re proud to share this smooth, rich brew that’s as sustainable as it is delicious. Grinding whole beans right before brewing lets you experience the full chocolate and nutty notes of this organic Vietnamese robusta, with no pre-ground staleness.
- Vanilla Pour Over Coffee - 8ct: We blend real ground vanilla beans into our premium Vietnamese robusta pour-over coffee for a naturally infused brew with no added sugar or artificial flavoring. If you prefer a pre-ground option with real vanilla, these pour-over packets skip the grinding step while still delivering a clean, single-serve cup.
