The Best Grind for a Keurig Reusable Filter

I will answer this straight. For a Keurig reusable filter, use a medium to medium-fine grind, about like table salt or a touch finer. Fill the filter level, tamp lightly, and use the 6 oz setting. That is it. The rest of this post is why, and what to do when it goes wrong.

To be honest, I don't use a reusable filter myself. I don't like the taste I get out of one, so I brew another way. But plenty of people do use them, and the grind is what makes or breaks the cup, so here's what works.

Why the grind matters in a Keurig

A Keurig pushes a small amount of hot water through the grounds in under a minute. That is a lot less contact time than a French press or a pour-over. A coffee that is too coarse gets rinsed rather than brewed, because the water passes through too fast. A coffee that is too fine does the opposite. It packs together, slows the water, can overflow the filter, and leaves silt in your mug.

So you are looking for a grind fine enough to slow the water down and coarse enough to let it through. That is medium to medium-fine.

What that looks like

• Too coarse: like sea salt or breadcrumbs. This is French press territory.
• Right: like table salt, or standard drip grind with a little more fineness.
• Too fine: like flour or powder. This is espresso or Turkish territory, and it will clog.

If you buy pre-ground coffee, a bag labeled "drip" or "auto drip" usually works. If you grind at home, a burr grinder gives you a more even result than a blade grinder. Our grind chart shows each size.

How much coffee to use

Fill the filter level. Filters vary by model, so go by yours. Do not heap it, because the lid has to close. At 8 oz or larger, the coffee gets thin quickly, because the amount of coffee in the filter cannot grow with the water.

That is why the 6 oz setting is the single biggest fix for a weak cup.

Tamping

Tamp lightly. Press the grounds with the back of a spoon until the surface is flat, and stop there. Packing them hard slows the water too much, and you may end up with overflow or a bitter cup.

Troubleshooting

• Weak or watery: Use the 6 oz setting, add a little more coffee, or grind slightly finer.
• Grounds in the cup: Grind is too fine, or the filter is not seated properly.
• Overflow: Too fine, too much coffee, or packed too tight.
• Slow, dribbling brew: Same cause, or a clogged needle.
• Tastes sour: Under-extracted. Go finer. Also check the machine's temperature.
• Tastes bitter: Too fine, or the dose is too high.

When it is not the grind

If you have the grind and dose right and the cup is still weak, it may be the machine. Clogged needles, scale and a low brewing temperature all make coffee watery. We cover all five in Why is my Keurig making watery coffee?. That post is the deep dive, and you should read it next.

For a short version of all of this, there is a Keurig and reusable pods page.

One more thing: freshness

Whole bean, ground right before you brew, tastes better than anything pre-ground that has been sitting in a cupboard. The right grind cannot rescue stale coffee. Keep it airtight, cool and dark. See how to store coffee.

FAQ

What is the best grind for a Keurig reusable filter?

Medium to medium-fine, like table salt or standard drip grind.

Can I use espresso grind?

No. It is too fine and will clog the filter and overflow.

Should I tamp the coffee?

Lightly, to level it. Do not pack it.

How much coffee should I put in?

Fill the filter level, without heaping it, and use the 6 oz setting.

Can I use whole beans?

Not directly. Grind them first, ideally right before brewing.

Want it ground for you? Choose the drip grind on any product page, such as Stubby's Boston Cowboy Blend, and it ships at drip grind, which works in most reusable filters. Shipping is free on every website order.

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