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How To Grind Coffee Without A Grinder

 
How To Grind Coffee Without A Grinder
 
 
 

Being a coffee-lover, would you like to drink coffee that was pre-ground a week ago or freshly ground?


 

Well, we know the answer. If you are like most people, you will definitely prefer the taste of fresh ground coffee beans, right?


But if you are the type of person who doesn't want to go out and buy an expensive coffee grinder, you might be wondering if there's another way to grind your beans. There is! 

Here's a detailed guide on grinding coffee without having a grinder!

 
 

There are a number of ways to grind coffee without a grinder, such as using:

  1. A Blender

  2. Food processor

  3. Hammer

  4. Mortar and pestle

You can easily find these tools in your kitchen, hotel room, or campsite. 

How To Grind Coffee No Grinder

Now Let's have a look at how to use these basic kitchen items to grind coffee. 

4 Ways To Grind Coffee Without a Grinder:

1) Blender

Yes, your food blender isn't just for drinks; it may also help in grinding coffee beans. It's a simple technique to grind your beans to a fine texture.

 
 
Coffee in a blender
 
 

However, rather than running the blender continuously, grind in short, quick bursts because the blades spin at such a high speed that they can heat the beans, which you obviously don't want!

Therefore, the entire grinding process must take no more than 20 seconds or 30 seconds if you really need it!

How To Grind Coffee Beans In A Blender?

  1. If your blender has a "grinder" setting, select it. If not, select a medium-high speed.

  2. Pour the desired amount of coffee (¼ cup to ½ cup of beans is ideal) into the blender and place the lid firmly on top.

  3. Using a "pulse" technique, grind your beans to your desired consistency for 3 to 6 seconds.

  4. Repeat this process a maximum of 5 times or a total of 30 seconds.

 

THE PERFECT COFFEE GIFT

 
 

PRO TIP: Gently tilt the blender from side to side while grinding to move the larger chunks and to ensure an even grind.

2) Mortar and Pestle

The most authentic way to ground coffee beans is with a mortar and pestle. It may take a bit longer than using a blender, but you'll have far more control this way. 

Pharmacists and cooks have been grinding herbs, spices, and medicines into a fine powder with the mortar and pestle for generations.

This method gives you precise control over a wide variety of grinds, from French-press coarse to Turkish-coffee fine. It all depends on how long and how strongly you crush your beans.

How To Grind Coffee Beans In A Mortar and Pestle?

  1. Fill your mortar a quarter full with beans—don't fill it more than 1/4 for greater control and to avoid spills. There's always the option of grinding a second batch.

  2. Hold the pestle in one hand and the mortar in the other.

  3. Using the pestle, crush the beans in a twisting motion.

  4. Roll beans around in the mortar and repeat until you get the desired consistency.

  5. If you need more coffee ground, dump the coffee you've previously ground into a bowl (or your coffee maker) and start over at step 1.

 
 
Mortar and Pestle Coffee Grind
 
 

Pro Tip: It's best to use a ceramic mortar and pestle set because it'll be more resistant to the oils extracted from the beans.

3) Food Processor

Using a food processor for grinding coffee is nearly similar to that of grinding coffee in a blender. The only difference is you'll need more beans because the food processor's circumference is usually wider than a blender's. Therefore, you'll need to double the amount of coffee. 

How To Grind Coffee with Blender

But what if you are only two or three people?

Well, not to worry, as you can use those grounds the next day. Just make sure the remaining grounds are sealed in an airtight plastic bag.

How To Grind Coffee In A Food Processor?

  1. Pour 1 cup of coffee beans into a properly cleaned food processor and place the lid firmly on top.

  2. Using the "pulse" option, grind the coffee in short, fast bursts (3 to 5 seconds). Between pulsing, give your processor a good shake to ensure that all the beans reach the blades and get ground.

  3. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula if necessary, then pulse a few more times.

  4. Repeat the process for up to 30 seconds or until the desired consistency is attained.

  5. Put it in your coffee maker and enjoy it.

 
 
 
 

4) A Hammer

The use of a hammer is a convenient way to ensure beans are thoroughly crushed. But if you aren't a tool person, it can also crush your kitchen counter or your hand, therefore, use it carefully.

However, don't expect to be able to brew espresso with these grounds due to the jerky, explosive action of the hammer (even if you won't be whacking the beans!).

How To Grind Coffee with Hammer

At best, you'll get a coarse to medium grind. This grind is suitable for cold brew, the Chemex, and drip coffee makers.

How To Grind Coffee Beans With A Hammer?

  1. Fill the plastic bag with the desired amount of beans.

  2. Press down firmly on your beans with your hammer for as long as it takes to achieve the texture you want. You must not beat them!

  3. Fill your coffee maker with the mixture and enjoy your morning drink!

 
 
 

PRO TIP: Use low to medium pressure while pressing down to reduce the chance of the bag popping while grinding your beans. 

The Final Verdict

The gist of the discussion is that numerous tools in your kitchen can be used to make a delicious cup of freshly ground coffee. 

So, the next time you're wondering how to grind coffee beans on the go, think about using one of these methods!

However, if you're in a hurry, there is nothing wrong with using pre-ground beans instead of freshly ground beans - just be sure to store them properly!

 
 
 

Can I grind coffee with hand blender?

It is very hard to grind coffee with a hand blender as you may end up with coffee grounds all over the place. It is particularly inconsistent compared with a regular blender.

How do you manually grind coffee?

To manually grind coffee, you will need a manual (or hand) coffee grinder. Here are the basic steps for using one:

  1. Weigh out the amount of coffee beans you want to grind.

  2. Place coffee beans in the hopper of the manual grinder.

  3. Adjust the grind setting to your desired coarseness (e.g. fine for espresso, medium for drip coffee, coarse for French press).

  4. Hold the handle of the grinder and rotate it clockwise to grind the beans.

  5. Collect the grounds in a container or directly into your coffee maker.

How long does it take to grind coffee by hand?

The time it takes to grind coffee by hand depends on several factors, such as the coarseness of the grind, the quantity of beans, and the quality of the grinder.

For example, it might take a minute or two to grind enough coffee for a single cup of coffee using a manual burr grinder, while it might take several minutes to grind a large amount of coffee for a French press or a percolator.

The tyoe of manual grinder also has a direct effect on the time it takes with some now having larger burrs for quicker grinding.