The Secret to Grinding Coffee Beans Without A Grinder

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If you love your morning cup of Joe, then you know that grinding those beans right before you brew is the secret to that perfect cup. Freshly ground beans have a robust, fresh taste and rich flavor in coffee.

But if you happen to find yourself without a grinder and a bag of whole beans, there are a few ways to grind your coffee beans without a grinder. Here are a few alternative ways to consider.

Mortar And Pestle

Grinding your coffee beans with a mortar and pestle is a great way to prepare them for brewing at home. This method lets you tailor the grind size for drip coffee or a French press. The main limitation is that you can grind only small quantities at a time. To get the best grind, it’s important to grind your beans in small batches to achieve a consistent blend.

How to Do It:

• Add coffee beans to the mortar, filling it to about a quarter full.
• Use the pestle to smash the whole beans into smaller, grindable pieces.
• Grind in a circular motion with the pestle until you reach the desired consistency.

Use A Blender 

When you’re in a pinch, you can use your blender to grind coffee beans.

To get started, use the pulse feature on your blender, opting for short bursts. This technique helps prevent the beans from becoming too finely ground.

For those with advanced blenders, you might find a “grind” setting specifically designed for tasks like this. Try this setting to see if it produces a coffee-ground texture that suits your taste.

Use A Food Processor 

You can grind your coffee beans using a food processor. Since the circumference is wide, you can blend more coffee beans with a food processor.

Use A Rolling Pin 

A rolling pin can be a lifesaver when you need to grind coffee beans without a grinder. Fill a Ziploc bag with your coffee beans, squeezing out any extra air to avoid the bag bursting.

Begin the grinding process using the rolling pin to gently crush the beans, similar to a hammer for initial breaking. Then, apply steady and firm pressure as you roll the pin across the bag, grinding the beans inside.

If the grounds scatter within the bag, corral them back to the center and continue rolling. This method may take time and effort to reach your preferred grind consistency. Repeat the rolling and pressing as needed to fine-tune the grind of your coffee.

Kitchen Mallet

A kitchen mallet can double as a makeshift coffee grinder in a pinch. As you crush the beans, you’ll notice the grounds becoming finer. To begin, place your coffee beans in a plastic or ziplock bag or between two sheets of parchment paper with the edges folded to keep the beans contained.

Instead of hammering directly, gently press down with the mallet to crush the beans. Keep applying even pressure until you reach the consistency you prefer for your coffee.

For an even grind, start on one side of the bag and methodically work your way to the other, ensuring all beans are evenly crushed.

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This article was originally posted on Homestead How-To: How To Grind Coffee Beans Without A Grinder.