How to Adjust Grind Settings on a Manual Coffee Grinder (Step-by-Step Video)

Last updated: March 20, 2026

How to Adjust Grind Settings on a Manual Coffee Grinder (Step-by-Step Video)

Getting the right grind size is the single most important factor in brewing good coffee. Too fine and your coffee turns bitter. Too coarse and it tastes weak and watery. Manual coffee grinders give you precise control over grind size, but only if you understand how the adjustment mechanism works.

In this guide, we show you exactly how to adjust the grind settings on the InstaCuppa Manual Coffee Grinder, with a click-by-click breakdown for every major brew method.

Quick Action Checklist

1. Try Try moving 2 to — Try moving 2 to 3 clicks coarser
2. Remove Use a dry brush — Use a dry brush to remove coffee residue
3. Clean Deep clean monthly by — Deep clean monthly by disassembling the burr and wiping with...
4. Turn Turn the dial clockwise — Turn the dial clockwise (tighter) until you feel resistance
5. Brew Stop at the number — Stop at the number of clicks for your desired brew...
6. Replace Replace the handle and — Replace the handle and grind
7. Make How Do You Make — How Do You Make It Step by Step?

How the Grind Adjustment Works

The InstaCuppa Manual Grinder uses a ceramic conical burr with a stepped adjustment dial located beneath the handle. Turning the dial clockwise makes the grind finer (burrs closer together). Turning it anti-clockwise makes it coarser (burrs further apart).

Each "click" you feel while turning the dial represents one grind step. The grinder has 18 distinct settings, from ultra-fine (suitable for Turkish coffee) to coarse (suitable for French press and cold brew).

Step-by-Step: Adjusting the Grind

1. Remove the handle from the top of the grinder.
2. Locate the adjustment dial (the knurled ring below where the handle sits).
3. Turn the dial clockwise (tighter) until you feel resistance. This is your zero point - the finest setting.
4. From zero, turn anti-clockwise, counting each click.
5. Stop at the number of clicks for your desired brew method (see table below).
6. Replace the handle and grind.

[Grinder Variation]: Maximum discrepancy of 2.25% at any Kruve sieve size across grinders — [Royal Coffee, undated]

How Do You Make It Step by Step?

Brew Method Grind Size Clicks from Zero Turkish Coffee Extra Fine 1 - 2 Espresso Fine 3 - 5 South Indian Filter Medium-Fine 6 - 8 Pour Over / Drip Medium 8 - 10 AeroPress Medium 9 - 11 Moka Pot Medium-Fine 5 - 7 French Press Coarse 13 - 15 Cold Brew Extra Coarse 16 - 18.

What Tips Should You Know?

Start in the middle and adjust. If you are unsure, start at 9-10 clicks and adjust from there based on taste. Change one click at a time. Small adjustments make a big difference with manual grinders. Taste your coffee.

• Start in the middle and adjust. If you are unsure, start at 9-10 clicks and adjust from there based on taste.
• Change one click at a time. Small adjustments make a big difference with manual grinders.
• Taste your coffee. If it is bitter, go coarser. If it is sour or weak, go finer.
• Grind only what you need. Freshly ground coffee starts losing flavour within 15 minutes of grinding.
• Use consistent speed. Turn the handle at a steady pace. Inconsistent speed produces uneven particle sizes.
• Clean between grind changes. When switching from fine to coarse (or vice versa), run a few throwaway beans through to clear residual grounds from the previous setting.

Products Mentioned

InstaCuppa Manual Coffee Grinder (18 Adjustable Grind Settings)

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Saran Reddy
Founder, InstaCuppa

Saran is the founder of InstaCuppa, a brand dedicated to making quality coffee and tea accessories accessible to every Indian household. He writes about brewing techniques, product guides, and the joy of making cafe-style drinks at home.