By Audrey HayesUpdated November 2026
Encore burr grinder settings control how coarse or fine your coffee comes out, and getting them right is the fastest way to improve flavor at home. This guide shows you how to choose a starting setting for your brew method, adjust it in small steps, and confirm the result with a quick taste test. You will need about ten minutes and a few grinds to dial in a new bean.
Understand What the Encore Dial Controls
The numbered dial on the Encore sets the distance between two burrs, which determines particle size. Lower numbers produce finer grounds, and higher numbers produce coarser grounds. Because the numbers are relative to the Encore’s own burr set, they are not comparable to settings on other grinders. Think of the dial as a map of your grinder, not a universal scale.
Shopping for one? See our guide: Top 7 Flat Burr Hand Grinders with Adjustable Settings (2026).
Finer grounds extract faster and more fully, while coarser grounds extract more slowly. Your goal is a grind that matches the contact time of your brewer.
Choose a Starting Setting for Your Brew Method
Start from a sensible midpoint, then adjust. The table below gives general starting ranges for common methods. Treat them as places to begin, not final answers, because bean roast, age and humidity all change the result.
| Brew method | Grind texture | Starting dial range |
|---|---|---|
| French press | Coarse, like sea salt | Upper third of the dial |
| Drip or pour-over | Medium, like sand | Middle of the dial |
| Moka pot | Fine-medium | Lower-middle of the dial |
| Espresso | Fine, like powdered sugar | Lowest part of the dial |
If you are brewing drip coffee, the midpoint is a reliable first try. For more detail on that method, see Burr Grinder Setting for Drip Coffee: 6 Best Picks Compared (2026).
Dial In Your Grind in Small Steps
Once you have a starting point, make changes in small increments. Large jumps on the dial can overshoot the target and waste beans. Brew one cup, taste it, and adjust before changing anything else.
- Grind a single test dose at your starting setting.
- Brew using your normal recipe, keeping water temperature and ratio constant.
- Taste the cup. If it tastes sour, thin or sharp, the grind is likely too coarse. If it tastes bitter, harsh or dry, it is likely too fine.
- Move the dial one or two steps finer or coarser, then repeat.
- Stop when the cup is balanced and sweet. Record the setting for that bean.
Many people keep a small notebook with the bean name, roast date and final setting. Beans change as they age, so a setting that worked last month may need a small tweak.
Check Consistency Before You Blame the Setting
Uneven grounds can make a good setting taste poor, because fines and boulders extract at different rates. Before you adjust the dial again, check whether the grinder is producing a consistent particle size. Clean the burrs and hopper, and make sure no clumps are blocking the outlet. If problems persist, the causes described in Why Does My OXO Burr Coffee Grinder Produce Uneven Grounds? Causes and Fixes often apply to other conical grinders as well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Changing several variables at once, such as dose, water temperature and grind, which makes results impossible to interpret.
- Judging a new setting from the first cup, since the grinder may need a few grinds to clear retained grounds from the last session.
- Assuming a setting carries over from one bean to another. Light and dark roasts need different adjustments.
- Skipping regular cleaning, which allows old oils to build up and change the grind.
- Grinding very fine for drip brewing, which tends to cause slow drawdown and bitterness.
Recommended gear
A scale lets you weigh your dose and water so each test is repeatable. Search for a digital coffee scale with a timer to track brew time alongside grind changes. View on Amazon
A small brush helps remove grounds from burr chambers and the hopper rim between sessions. Keeping the grinder clean makes your settings more predictable. View on Amazon
A gooseneck kettle gives you steady pour control, which matters once your grind is dialed in and you want consistent results. View on Amazon
FAQ
What is a good starting setting for the Encore?
Start near the middle of the dial for drip coffee and move lower for espresso or higher for French press. Adjust from there based on taste.
How often should I change the setting?
Adjust when you switch beans, brew methods, or notice a change in flavor. Many people also make small tweaks as beans age.
Why does my coffee taste different with the same setting?
Roast age, humidity, and grinder cleanliness all affect extraction. Check the grinder for retained grounds and re-taste before changing the dial.
Conclusion
Encore burr grinder settings are best found through a short, methodical process: pick a midpoint for your method, adjust in small steps, and taste each result. Keep notes for each bean so you can repeat good results. A clean, consistent grinder makes every adjustment easier to judge.
Related reading
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About Audrey Hayes
Audrey Hayes is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our coffee gear & accessories guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
