Electric grinder
Cold brew grind setting for the Baratza Vario+
8.3–9.2
That is where to start with a light roast. It should come out looking like coarse sea salt. Medium roasts go to 8.8–9.6 and dark roasts to 9.2–10.
The setting, by roast
Lighter roasts are harder to pull flavor out of, so they grind a little finer and steep longer. Darker roasts go the other way. The dial runs from 1 to 10.
| Roast | Setting | Looks like | Steep in the fridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light roast | 8.3–9.2 | coarse sea salt | 18–22 h |
| Medium roast | 8.8–9.6 | coarse kosher salt | 14–18 h |
| Dark roast | 9.2–10 | raw sugar | 10–14 h |
Where the number comes from
People who own one report 8.5–9.6. Our starting point is 9.2 for a medium roast, and it moves with the roast.
Maker’s guidance: baratza.com
Owner reports: completehomebarista.com, honestcoffeeguide.com, home-barista.com
If you changed the burrs
Different burrs cut differently at the same number. Here is where each set starts.
| Burr set | Light | Medium | Dark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40mm ceramic flat burrs (stock) | 8.3–9.2 | 8.8–9.6 | 9.2–10 |
| Baratza steel flat burr upgradeSame nominal dial numbers as ceramic, but cuts (rather than crushes) so coarse cold-brew grinds come out more uniform with fewer fines/boulders and faster flow-through | 8.3–9.2 | 8.8–9.6 | 9.2–10 |
How to use it
- Set it. Set the dial to 8.3–9.2. That is the light roast setting. Use the table above for anything darker.
- Grind and look. You want pieces about the size of coarse sea salt.
- Steep. Give it 18–22 hours in the fridge, or 12–14 on the counter.
- Taste and adjust. Too bitter? Go coarser next time. Too sour? Go finer. Move about 0.9 at a time.
Let the app keep track.
Cold Brew Studio shows the dial created for your Baratza Vario+ with the setting marked, sizes the batch to your brewer, and moves the dial for you when you rate how it tasted.
Free on iPhone and the web. No account needed.
Quick answers
- What grind setting should I use for cold brew on the Baratza Vario+?
- Start at 8.3–9.2 for a light roast, 8.8–9.6 for a medium roast and 9.2–10 for a dark roast.
- How long should I steep cold brew ground on the Baratza Vario+?
- 18–22 hours in the fridge for a light roast, 14–18 for medium and 10–14 for dark. On the counter it goes faster: 12–14, 9–12 and 7–9 hours.
- What should the grounds look like?
- Coarse. About the size of coarse sea salt for a light roast, coarse kosher salt for medium and raw sugar for dark.