A barista in Portland said my grind was the problem, not my machine, and I finally listened

Jesse Barnes · 2026-09-22T18:45:05.150149+00:00

I've been making pour over at home for about 3 years and I always thought my setup was holding me back. I had a decent gooseneck kettle and a scale, but my cups kept coming out bitter and muddy no matter what I did. So I saved up and almost dropped $200 on a new burr grinder last month. Before I pulled the trigger I stopped by a small shop in Portland while visiting my sister. I brought a bag of my usual beans and asked the barista to brew a cup so I could taste what it was supposed to be like. She watched me describe my process and then said flat out, your grind is too fine and you're pouring too fast. She showed me a coarser setting and a slower spiral pour. I tried it at home the next morning and the difference was wild. Same beans, same gear, totally different cup. Now I want to know, how did you all figure out your grind size without someone watching you brew?

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A barista in Portland said my grind was the problem, not my machine, and I finally listened | Coffee Enthusiasts - HW Forums