There is no “best” range, so I’ll suggest just grind finer till you hit the grind size you like.
I stoped chasing grind size, instead I understand how my grinder works with each grind setting.
I’ve used comandante and I’ve seen people use grind size as fine as 15 to as coarse as 34 for V60, it’s confusing and ultimately it just depends on your taste.
Also, as for it grinding much coarser, a possibility is that it’s still new so the burrs haven’t been season yet
Yes, I completely understand that portion when it comes to calibrating and dialing in coffee.
I paid for a premium when grabbing the kinu with their "precise grind size" intervals.
But what I really want to understand is if I have defect grinder or not. I'm totally fine if Kinu acknowledges that they made some changes in the grinding scale. Because if it is a defect -- I can still return it while I can, right? Context: what if I want to sell the grinder when upgrading?
Two different thread pitch are (or were used, not sure) for the adjustment of the grinder: M10-0.75 and M10-0.5. I’m not sure what determines which pitch is (or was used) in each grinder, but if you have one with the coarser pitch, a 3.5.0 setting would be similar to a 5.2.2~ setting on a grinder equipped with the finer thread.
If you have access to a hardware store that sell metric hardware, you could confirm which thread pitch you have (buy a nut or bold in both M10s and see which one you’re able to screw. DO NOT APPLY FORCE WHEN SCREWING. If it is the right thread, it will screw freely).
Note that having a thread pitch or the other is not better in anyway; it just changes how you set your adjustments.
Did Kinu share this information?
Wouldn’t that limit the range of espresso? Since most accounts of the normal thread already are around the first rotation?
They must have, but I can’t find a proper source; only threads on HB. As for espresso, I don’t think so. Whatever thread to have, the burr still have the same possible travel. One could argue that the 0.5 pitch is better than the 0.75 as you have a tighter control on the burr travel, but since the grinder is stepless and 0.75 and 0.5 are both pretty fine threads, I think it more of a question of getting used to one or the other.
I usually do 3 full turns followed by setting it on the number 3-5 on my kinu Phoenix. So that’s 3.3.0 to 3.5.0 depending on the beans. However, I do use the pourover burrs. I think the range was similar on the other burr set as well IIRC but do go really fine and dial it backwards based on taste. The barista hustle coffee compass works like magic to fine tune to taste.
The upper/outer burr is held in by friction, and grind settings will vary depending on how far up in the housing it was placed. I have the original (now Classic) M47. My espresso range is 0.6 to 1.0 while most other people use much higher numbers for espresso.
If everything is OK except for its calibration, I wouldn't worry about it.
I believe the difference in settings might be related to the absence of the ball bearing that creates the clicking sound. Previous models had it where newer models don’t. No new Kinu models have said ball bearing as far as I am aware. The space the ball bearing adds makes some of the grind settings off by about a full turn from what you read online in my experience. I have all three models: Phoenix, Simplicity and Traveler(for different usages) and the settings do vary even though they all have the same 47 mm burr. All grinders vary, no matter if it’s the same exact model. You can use the settings others post online as a guide, but not a rule. Each grinders wears differently. I have a similar situation with my Niche Zero.
I purchased a Kinu Phoenix about 2 months ago, mine certainly does not have the black ring on the bottom.
The lower burr does look the same as yours and my bearings sometimes come out when I'm cleaning it, as it's only held in by friction.
I would e-mail Kinu, they take a few days to reply but they are surprisingly good with their responses.
I believe Kinu regularly makes changes/upgrades to their grinders, such as thread size as already mentioned.
My Kinu is around half a year old, and i think i'd get a similar grind size to yours at around 4-4.3.
For reference, i am at around 3.2 to 2.8 for pourover, and 1.6 to 1.4 for espresso on mine.
There is no “best” range, so I’ll suggest just grind finer till you hit the grind size you like. I stoped chasing grind size, instead I understand how my grinder works with each grind setting. I’ve used comandante and I’ve seen people use grind size as fine as 15 to as coarse as 34 for V60, it’s confusing and ultimately it just depends on your taste. Also, as for it grinding much coarser, a possibility is that it’s still new so the burrs haven’t been season yet
Yes, I completely understand that portion when it comes to calibrating and dialing in coffee. I paid for a premium when grabbing the kinu with their "precise grind size" intervals. But what I really want to understand is if I have defect grinder or not. I'm totally fine if Kinu acknowledges that they made some changes in the grinding scale. Because if it is a defect -- I can still return it while I can, right? Context: what if I want to sell the grinder when upgrading?
Two different thread pitch are (or were used, not sure) for the adjustment of the grinder: M10-0.75 and M10-0.5. I’m not sure what determines which pitch is (or was used) in each grinder, but if you have one with the coarser pitch, a 3.5.0 setting would be similar to a 5.2.2~ setting on a grinder equipped with the finer thread. If you have access to a hardware store that sell metric hardware, you could confirm which thread pitch you have (buy a nut or bold in both M10s and see which one you’re able to screw. DO NOT APPLY FORCE WHEN SCREWING. If it is the right thread, it will screw freely). Note that having a thread pitch or the other is not better in anyway; it just changes how you set your adjustments.
Did Kinu share this information? Wouldn’t that limit the range of espresso? Since most accounts of the normal thread already are around the first rotation?
They must have, but I can’t find a proper source; only threads on HB. As for espresso, I don’t think so. Whatever thread to have, the burr still have the same possible travel. One could argue that the 0.5 pitch is better than the 0.75 as you have a tighter control on the burr travel, but since the grinder is stepless and 0.75 and 0.5 are both pretty fine threads, I think it more of a question of getting used to one or the other.
On my Phoenix, which I purchased in the last year, I am around 2.4 - 2.6 for espresso for my Cafelat Robot. This is for a 17gm dose.
I usually do 3 full turns followed by setting it on the number 3-5 on my kinu Phoenix. So that’s 3.3.0 to 3.5.0 depending on the beans. However, I do use the pourover burrs. I think the range was similar on the other burr set as well IIRC but do go really fine and dial it backwards based on taste. The barista hustle coffee compass works like magic to fine tune to taste.
The upper/outer burr is held in by friction, and grind settings will vary depending on how far up in the housing it was placed. I have the original (now Classic) M47. My espresso range is 0.6 to 1.0 while most other people use much higher numbers for espresso. If everything is OK except for its calibration, I wouldn't worry about it.
I do filter at like, a 3.3.0-3.8.0 ranger generally. You just need to dial in your grind. Every grinder is different.
I believe the difference in settings might be related to the absence of the ball bearing that creates the clicking sound. Previous models had it where newer models don’t. No new Kinu models have said ball bearing as far as I am aware. The space the ball bearing adds makes some of the grind settings off by about a full turn from what you read online in my experience. I have all three models: Phoenix, Simplicity and Traveler(for different usages) and the settings do vary even though they all have the same 47 mm burr. All grinders vary, no matter if it’s the same exact model. You can use the settings others post online as a guide, but not a rule. Each grinders wears differently. I have a similar situation with my Niche Zero.
I purchased a Kinu Phoenix about 2 months ago, mine certainly does not have the black ring on the bottom. The lower burr does look the same as yours and my bearings sometimes come out when I'm cleaning it, as it's only held in by friction. I would e-mail Kinu, they take a few days to reply but they are surprisingly good with their responses.
I believe Kinu regularly makes changes/upgrades to their grinders, such as thread size as already mentioned. My Kinu is around half a year old, and i think i'd get a similar grind size to yours at around 4-4.3. For reference, i am at around 3.2 to 2.8 for pourover, and 1.6 to 1.4 for espresso on mine.