Recommended Free Tools
To adjust grind size on a Breville espresso machine, turn the machine’s grind-size control in small increments, prepare another shot consistently, and assess the extraction before changing anything else. The correct control and setting range depend on the model. This guide uses the Barista Express for the detailed steps; check your machine’s own manual before following any model-specific instructions.
Identify your Breville model first
Do not assume that a numbered setting or dial position transfers from one Breville model to another. Breville’s US guidance specifies different grind-setting ranges for these machines:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Model | Documented grind-size information | Adjustable upper burr documented here? |
|---|---|---|
| Barista Express | Uses a numbered grind-size dial; its US manual describes an adjustable upper burr that can extend the grind range. | Yes. See the model’s manual for the procedure. |
| Barista Pro | 30 grind settings; Breville recommends starting at setting 15 and adjusting to suit extraction. This recommendation is specific to the Pro. | Not stated on Breville’s cited tutorial page. |
| Barista Express Impress | 25 distinct grind settings. | Not stated on Breville’s cited tutorial page. |
Sources: Breville Barista Express tutorial, Barista Express US instruction manual, Breville Barista Pro tutorial, and Breville Barista Express Impress tutorial. The setting counts and recommendation are Breville specifications; the tutorial pages do not state a publication year.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Adjust the Barista Express grind-size dial
Use the numbered grind-size dial for routine changes. Breville’s Barista Express tutorial covers both grind size and grind amount; these are separate adjustments, so change the grind-size setting alone when you are trying to understand its effect. Move the dial a small amount, then make and assess another shot before deciding whether to adjust again.
#1 Best Overall
- The Breville Smart Grinder Pro includes 60 unique settings – this programmable conical burr grinder offers a wide range of possibilities for your brew; Choose a unique setting and find the right dose for your coffee
- DOSING IQ: Precision digital time allows you to adjust and program grind time in 0.2 second increments giving you total control and an exact dose every time
- FREE YOUR GRIND: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro lets you grind directly into the portafilter, an airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter
- PRE-PROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Intelligent settings help your coffee and espresso bean grinder achieve precise results regardless of how fine or coarse you require your beans
- 60 GRIND SETTINGS: With so many intuitive grind settings to choose from, you can create a range of delicious coffee beverages in your own kitchen, from espresso to French press and everything in-between
Use extraction as feedback
Grind size regulates how quickly hot water passes through the coffee during extraction. A finer or coarser setting changes that flow, but there is no single correct number established for every bean, dose, or machine. Breville’s Barista Pro guidance likewise says to adjust the setting to suit extraction. Treat the result from your own machine as feedback rather than aiming for a universal dial number.
When to adjust the Barista Express upper burr
If the routine dial does not provide enough range for a coffee, the Barista Express has an adjustable upper burr that can extend the available range. This is a separate adjustment from turning the normal grind-size dial. Breville advises making only one adjustment at a time; use the exact instructions and illustrations in the manual for your machine.
Rank #2
- The Breville Smart Grinder Pro includes 60 unique settings – this programmable conical burr grinder offers a wide range of possibilities for your brew; Choose a unique setting and find the right dose for your coffee
- DOSING IQ: Precision digital time allows you to adjust and program grind time in 0.2 second increments giving you total control and an exact dose every time
- FREE YOUR GRIND: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro lets you grind directly into the portafilter, an airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter
- PRE-PROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Intelligent settings help your coffee and espresso bean grinder achieve precise results regardless of how fine or coarse you require your beans
- 60 GRIND SETTINGS: With so many intuitive grind settings to choose from, you can create a range of delicious coffee beverages in your own kitchen, from espresso to French press and everything in-between
Upper-burr procedure in the Barista Express US manual
- Unlock the hopper and empty the beans into an airtight container.
- Run the grinder until it is empty, then remove the hopper.
- Remove the upper burr and take off its wire handle.
- Move the adjustable top burr one numbered position finer or coarser, then align the number with the handle opening.
- Reinstall the wire handle. Push the upper burr firmly into position and lock it.
- Reinstall and lock the hopper, then check extraction after making coffee.
Follow the diagrams in the Barista Express US instruction manual, including its directions for securing the burr and hopper. Do not remove the upper burr while beans remain in the hopper or grinder.
Make one change at a time
Breville’s Barista Express manual states: “We recommend making only one adjustment at a time.” Apply that advice to the feedback loop: change one grind setting, prepare the next shot consistently, and assess its extraction before making another change. If you alter several settings together, it is harder to tell which change affected the result.
Rank #3
- The Breville Smart Grinder Pro includes 60 unique settings – this programmable conical burr grinder offers a wide range of possibilities for your brew; Choose a unique setting and find the right dose for your coffee
- DOSING IQ: Precision digital time allows you to adjust and program grind time in 0.2 second increments giving you total control and an exact dose every time
- FREE YOUR GRIND: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro lets you grind directly into the portafilter, an airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter
- PRE-PROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Intelligent settings help your coffee and espresso bean grinder achieve precise results regardless of how fine or coarse you require your beans
- 60 GRIND SETTINGS: With so many intuitive grind settings to choose from, you can create a range of delicious coffee beverages in your own kitchen, from espresso to French press and everything in-between
Separate grinder or built-in grinder?
Grinder arrangements can differ by machine. Check the exact model’s product information or manual to confirm its configuration; the Barista Express tutorial and instruction manual linked above cover that model’s built-in grinding controls. Do not infer the grinder setup of another Breville machine from the Barista Express instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Breville Smart Grinder Pro includes 60 unique settings – this programmable conical burr grinder offers a wide range of possibilities for your brew; Choose a unique setting and find the right dose for your coffee
- DOSING IQ: Precision digital time allows you to adjust and program grind time in 0.2 second increments giving you total control and an exact dose every time
- FREE YOUR GRIND: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro lets you grind directly into the portafilter, an airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter
- PRE-PROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Intelligent settings help your coffee and espresso bean grinder achieve precise results regardless of how fine or coarse you require your beans
- 60 GRIND SETTINGS: With so many intuitive grind settings to choose from, you can create a range of delicious coffee beverages in your own kitchen, from espresso to French press and everything in-between
Rank #4
- The Breville Smart Grinder Pro includes 60 unique settings – this programmable conical burr grinder offers a wide range of possibilities for your brew; Choose a unique setting and find the right dose for your coffee
- DOSING IQ: Precision digital time allows you to adjust and program grind time in 0.2 second increments giving you total control and an exact dose every time
- FREE YOUR GRIND: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro lets you grind directly into the portafilter, an airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter
- PRE-PROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Intelligent settings help your coffee and espresso bean grinder achieve precise results regardless of how fine or coarse you require your beans
- 60 GRIND SETTINGS: With so many intuitive grind settings to choose from, you can create a range of delicious coffee beverages in your own kitchen, from espresso to French press and everything in-between
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
