Can I use a blender??
The blender can easily replace the usual coffee grinder. The device is able to grind most solid foods: vegetables, nuts and coffee beans.
Despite similar designs, the blender is slightly different from the coffee grinder: its cutting blades are slightly higher towards the bottom of the bowl compared to the coffee grinder. So do not expect to grind the beans to dust, you can only achieve a medium to coarse grind.
Grinder
Both the mechanical and electric versions are equally suitable. The unit is sure to be thoroughly washed and completely dried before use. This is important in order to preserve the unique coffee aroma. To achieve a finer grind, the beans are put through the mill several times.
Mill
A mechanical mill does a very good job as a coffee grinder. The mill grinds coffee beans very well. Many devices have the possibility of changing the position of the grindstones in relation to one another. This also affects the degree of grinding (the closer the millstones are, the finer the coffee will be).
A manual mill makes it possible to turn beans into flour without much effort: the mill handle is easy to turn. The main thing is to make sure the mill is free from unwanted odors, otherwise the coffee drink will be spoiled.
Besides, a handmill always creates a special atmosphere, a pleasant aroma and the anticipation of a good time with a cup of excellent drink.
Hammer or stone
Green beans are difficult to grind in a home mill. But a hammer works fine for this task. Put cereals in a couple of cellophane bags for grinding, and tie them in a tightly knotted bag. Place the bags on a hard surface (a wooden cutting board is a good idea) and cover them with a thin towel.
Grind the beans until you obtain the desired result. An ordinary construction hammer can be replaced with a kitchen hammer or even just a stone.
Rolling pin
Practically every housewife has a rolling pin on hand at all times. Prepare to grind the beans in the same way as with the hammer. Roll out until you get the desired result and degree of grinding.
The mortar
One of the traditional way to grind. This variant has been in use since Ancient Egyptian times. When starting this method, you should prepare yourself for the fact that this work is long and painstaking, requiring accuracy.
No more than two tablespoons of corn in the mortar at a time. Grind better if you take coffee in small batches. Cover the mortar and pestle with your free hand. This will achieve a uniform grinding process and keep the area clean.
The mortar always looks originally in the interior of the room, adding a special home comfort to the room. And the process itself is soothing and sets up a heart-to-heart conversation.
May coffee beans be ground in a blender??
The need to grind coffee in a blender arises when special equipment is absent or does not work, and there are no ground beans for brewing. In order not to spoil the blender and not to impair the flavor of the drink, you should adhere to some nuances of grinding coffee beans with a standard blender.
How to grind coffee without a grinder
Scientists estimate that around 2 million cups of coffee are drunk every 5 minutes all over the world. Some people prefer instant or sublimated coffee, while the devoted fans of the natural beverage prefer freshly ground coffee beans. But what to do if there is no grinder or the device is faulty? Is it possible to grind coffee beans with improvised means?
The design of the blender is similar to the knife grinder in many ways. The main difference is the location of the blades on a higher level. Therefore, during operation, some of the grains are clogged under them. You have to periodically pause the process, stir the mixture or shake the bowl to get the jammed beans moving again. Accordingly, the procedure causes certain difficulties.
You can use the blender as a coffee grinder, if you plan to brew a drink in a carafe.
It is not possible to grind coffee beans for the coffee maker, as this brewing method requires finer fractions.
Other kitchen appliances
The modern kitchen is equipped with several devices that can replace the coffee grinder, if necessary. They differ slightly from the blade grinder in construction and principle of operation.
Blender
You can grind coffee beans in a blender, because the device with immersion knives usually has enough power to grind solid products. But a few rules of operation still need to be remembered, so as not to break the right technique.
- Pour a small amount of coffee just to hide the blades. This results in a more even blend. If you want to grind more than two coffees, you will need to grind in several passes.
- Metal blades get so hot from friction that they burn the coffee. So turn it on for just a few seconds by pressing the button repeatedly.
- If a blender makes unusual noises, don’t use it.
The grinding fineness will depend on the operating time. But do not go as fine as this, as it may produce a burnt smell.
Kitchen machine
The fastest way to grind coffee without a grinder at home with a food processor. If it grinds nuts easily, it can grind coffee beans too. Perfect if you want to grind a lot of coffee: it won’t take a handful. Like a blender, the blender needs to be run several times for a few seconds. This keeps the equipment from breaking and the coffee from overcooking.
Grinding is not uniform, but a sieve can be used to sift the results. What goes through the sieve can be used in a carafe. Coarse particles will remain and brew well in the French press.
Any containers should be washed immediately after coming into contact with aromatic coffee powder so that the aroma is not absorbed.
Grinder
Despite the name, the device is used to grind a wide variety of foods. A meat grinder is also an excellent substitute for a coffee grinder, as it grinds the coffee beans without any problems. The smaller the holes in the sieve, the finer the coffee grains will be. However, even the finest sieve will not give the grind you need for brewing in a cup. Repeated grinding grinds the product to the consistency required for the mortar.
Pour grains into the electric grinder a little at a time, listening to the noise of the motor. If an unusual buzzing noise occurs, turn off the machine. The manual device is more reliable, but to grind coffee properly, you will have to work hard.
Before use, the meat grinder should be rinsed with boiling water and dried to get rid of onion or other persistent odor.
Manual grinding
There are also ways to grind coffee by hand without machines or appliances. Let’s look at them too.
Pour some grains into the mortar and crush them with the pestle. The mortar may be covered with your hand, so the seeds won’t fly out. To get a homogeneous grind, do not put too many grains into the mortar. The advantages of this method are that it allows for any degree of grinding, from fine to coarse.
How to Grind Coffee Beans Without a Grinder : Coffee Making
Put the coffee beans between two layers of paper or in a plastic bag, then put a towel under them and place on a flat surface. Align the grains so that they lie in a single layer. Hit them with a hammer a few times with medium force until you get the desired grind.
Place the desired amount of corn in a thick plastic bag (better to use a freezer bag). Spread the beans out so that they lie in a single layer. First, tap the beans lightly with the rolling pin, and then roll them out until you get the desired degree of grind. This method produces a fine to medium grind
Use a spice grinder to grind your coffee beans. This method allows you to get a medium degree of grinding of grains. To grind with the mill, take a small portion of beans, for one or two cups of drink. The main drawback of this method is that it doesn’t get a fine grind, even if you put a few beans through the mill.
The most common varieties are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is delicate and aromatic, the taste is influenced by soil fertility and weather conditions. Robust Robusta. does not need to be grown in the right conditions.
The best among coffee beans are:
- Jardin. producers are experimenting boldly with the strength and proportions of different types of arabica, while the quality of beans remains on high.
- Lavazza is an Italian brand. The most delicate Arabicas are used.
- Paulig. perfect harmony and flavor.
- Gut! Strictly selected arabica with a strong flavor and rich aroma.
- Kimbo. a mild flavor. Shelf life is longer than for other Arabicas.
Read more about our favorite beverage varieties in the article “Ranking of the Best Coffee Beans”.
How to grind coffee properly
Depending on the preparation of the beverage, the degree of grinding needs to be different. This is very important to take into account in order to get the desired result.
So, a very fine powder is used for brewing in a carafe to get a good crema. For espresso the grits need to be quite a bit coarser. If a French press or a coffee maker is used, a medium-sized product should be used. Coarsely ground grains are suitable for brewing in a cup.
What you can grind in a coffee grinder
The list of acceptable products for grinding is not particularly long, but some categories can be ground without any fear.
Spices. Almost all spices can be ground: cardamom, all kinds of peppers, coriander, sesame, thyme, etc. They are soft enough in texture not to damage the mechanism. Grind cloves and starflower with caution. Nevertheless, it is worth taking into account that some spices have a strong flavor, so after grinding the container should be thoroughly cleaned.
- Do not fill the container more than 35-50% of the volume. This will help to avoid sticking to the cutting parts and will not create unnecessary load on the motor.
- Before you grind spices in the coffee grinder, warm them on a dry frying pan. This helps to bring out their flavor and aroma better.
Grits. Because of the hardness of the structure to grind cereals in a rotary grinder is not safe, so it is recommended that they pre-soak (and dry before grinding). It is allowed to grind oatmeal and buckwheat in rotary devices. But to grind rice, peas, pearl barley and hard grains you can only use a millstone grinder.
Nuts and seeds. Despite the structure, almost all nuts and seeds can be ground without any restrictions. Do not fill the chamber more than 35-40% full, otherwise you will not achieve a good grind. Nuts that are too oily (walnuts, pecans, etc.) should not be ground in the rotor models, they can create a greasy residue that can affect the operation of the device.
Any nuts should be peeled from the shells. For example, when grinding walnuts, you should first remove all the membranes. As with spices, additional heating and dry roasting promotes better flavor disclosure and release of essential oils.
Sugar and salt. Any coffee grinder will do with salt, but the grinding of sugar is better left to millstones and manual devices. Grinding sugar in a rotary grinder should be done very carefully, periodically releasing the button. Otherwise, the sugar may melt and you get cotton candy instead of powder.
Breadcrumbs. You can grind in any grinder, but heavily dried loaf can blunt the blades of rotary devices, it is worth considering. In the case of miller-type and manual grinders, there are no problems with powdered sugar.
