The Breville Barista Express BES870 is built primarily for espresso, and Breville recommends starting around grind setting 5 on the numbered grind dial. From there, adjust finer or coarser according to how the espresso flows rather than treating one number as universally correct.
You can also use the built-in grinder for other brew methods, but those methods are better matched by grind texture than by a fixed dial number. Beans, burr calibration, machine revision and recipe all change the result.
Breville Barista Express grind-size quick guide
| Brew method | Target grind | Barista Express guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Fine | Start around 5, then dial in by extraction |
| Moka pot | Medium-fine | Coarser than espresso |
| AeroPress | Medium-fine to medium | Adjust to recipe and brew time |
| Pour-over | Medium | Use a noticeably coarser grind than espresso |
| Drip coffee | Medium | Aim for an even, sand-like texture |
| Chemex | Medium-coarse | Coarser than standard pour-over |
| Siphon | Medium | Adjust to drawdown time |
| French press | Coarse | The built-in grinder may not be ideal at the coarsest end |
| Cold brew | Coarse | Use the coarsest practical setting; a dedicated grinder may work better |
| Turkish coffee | Extra-fine / powdery | The BES870 grinder is not designed for true Turkish-powder fineness |
These are starting textures, not promises that a particular dial number will work for every bag of coffee.
How the BES870 grind dial works
Breville’s US documentation for the Barista Express BES870 lists 16 precision grind settings. A smaller number produces a finer grind and a larger number produces a coarser grind. Breville’s usual starting recommendation for espresso is setting 5.
The important part is what happens after that first setting. Freshness, roast level and bean density can shift the correct espresso grind several steps in either direction.
For a complete starting setup covering dose, extraction time and pressure as well as grind, see our Breville Barista Express settings guide.
How to dial in the grind for espresso
- Start around setting 5.
- Use a consistent dose and puck-preparation routine.
- Pull a shot and watch the flow and extraction time.
- If the shot runs very quickly and tastes thin or sour, move finer.
- If the machine struggles to push water through the puck or the shot runs excessively slowly, move coarser.
- Change one variable at a time and retest.
Breville’s own extraction guidance is more useful than chasing a single dial number: a balanced shot should flow steadily after pre-infusion rather than gush immediately or barely drip.
Signs the grind is too coarse
- Espresso starts flowing very quickly.
- The shot finishes too fast.
- The crema is pale or disappears quickly.
- The cup tastes weak, sharp or under-extracted.
Signs the grind is too fine
- The machine takes a long time to produce the first drops.
- Flow becomes very slow or stalls.
- The pressure is unusually high during the shot.
- The espresso tastes harsh, dry or over-extracted.
If turning the grind dial is not producing sensible changes, see our Barista Express grind-size troubleshooting guide.
Using the Barista Express grinder for moka pot
A moka pot normally works best with a medium-fine grind: finer than drip coffee but coarser than a typical espresso grind. Start by moving several steps coarser than your espresso setting, then adjust based on flow and taste.
If the moka pot sputters aggressively, brews extremely slowly or tastes harsh, the grind may be too fine. If it races through and tastes weak, move slightly finer.
Using it for AeroPress
AeroPress recipes vary widely, so there is no single correct setting. A medium-fine to medium grind is a practical starting point for many recipes. Shorter brew times commonly work with a finer grind; longer immersion recipes often work better a little coarser.
Pour-over, drip and Chemex
For standard pour-over and automatic drip, target a medium grind. For Chemex, move toward medium-coarse because the thicker filter and larger brew bed generally need faster water movement.
Judge the result by drawdown and flavor. A stalled, muddy brew usually needs a coarser grind; a very fast, thin brew usually needs a finer grind.
French press and cold brew
Both methods generally call for a coarse grind. The Barista Express is an espresso-focused machine, so its built-in grinder is not necessarily the best tool when you need very coarse, highly uniform particles.
If the coarsest useful setting still creates excessive fines, sludge or an over-extracted taste, a separate grinder with a wider coarse range will usually give better results.
Siphon coffee
A medium grind is a useful starting point for siphon brewing. Adjust based on brew time and filter behavior: too fine can slow the drawdown; too coarse can produce a thin cup.
Turkish coffee
True Turkish coffee requires an extra-fine, almost powder-like grind. That is outside the Barista Express grinder’s intended espresso range. Breville’s espresso guidance specifically avoids a powdery grind, so a grinder designed for Turkish coffee is the better choice.
Should you adjust the internal burr?
The external grind dial should be your first adjustment. Some Barista Express grinders also allow the upper burr setting to be changed for a broader overall range. Treat that as a larger calibration change, not something to alter every time you change beans.
If your normal espresso range has shifted so far that every useful shot occurs at one extreme of the external dial, consult the manual for your specific BES870 revision before changing the upper burr.
Is the Grind Size for French Press Different from Espresso on the Breville Barista Express?
The grind size for French press and espresso on the Breville Barista Express is indeed different. When using the Breville Barista Express for French press, it is important to adjust the breville barista express french press grind size to a coarser setting. This allows for a longer brewing time, resulting in a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee. For espresso, a finer grind size is necessary to ensure proper extraction and achieve a balanced and flavorful shot.
FAQ
What grind setting should I start with for espresso?
For the BES870, setting 5 is a sensible manufacturer-recommended starting point. Dial finer or coarser according to the actual extraction.
Is a higher number finer or coarser?
Higher numbers are coarser; lower numbers are finer.
Can I use the Barista Express grinder for French press?
Yes, but it is an espresso-oriented grinder. If the coarsest settings still produce too many fines, a dedicated grinder will give a cleaner French-press grind.
Can it grind for Turkish coffee?
Not ideally. Turkish coffee requires a powdery extra-fine grind beyond the machine’s intended espresso range.
Why does the same grind number behave differently with new beans?
Roast level, bean density, age and humidity all affect flow. Treat the dial number as a reference point rather than a permanent recipe.
Breville maintains current documentation and support for the Barista Express BES870.
