Do you want to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee on-demand?
One way to make this happen is by having a bag of coffee beans always ready at home.
If you don’t have a grinder, you might wonder, “Can you grind coffee beans in a blender?”
Not all kitchens have enough counter space for multiple appliances.
Besides, it is always good to have an alternative if your coffee grinder gets sidelined for some reason.
Blenders have a blade system similar to most coffee grinders, so it is natural to look at it as a substitute.
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Why Not Get Coffee Grounds Instead of Whole Beans?
Once coffee beans are ground into smaller pieces, their essential oils begin to evaporate.
After some time, they lose their flavor and aroma, especially when not stored properly.
While grounds are more convenient, you do not know how long they've been sitting on the shelves.
It means that there is no guarantee that the ground is as fresh as you would want it to be.
On the other hand, whole beans lock in all of the things that make it good for much longer.
You will be able to taste the difference between freshly ground beans and pre-ground coffee in how pronounced the taste is.
The coffee grinder is the best tool to unlock it, but a blender can get the job done too.
Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Blender?
As mentioned above, there is no need to panic if your coffee grinder goes out of commission.
Just take the blender out of the cupboard and get started on your coffee routine.
Blenders are good for more than just mixing margaritas.
Their blade system can help break the beans down into a fairly even consistency, and the sharp spinning metal creates enough force to grind the beans.
A 500-watt Ninja blender is ideal for this application. With this much power, you won’t have to use the higher settings and put too much stress on the kitchen appliance.
The Benefits of Using a Blender To Grind Coffee
The blender is a workhorse of an appliance that can do a lot of things in the kitchen.
That is why most homes have one.
On the other hand, not all kitchens have a coffee grinder.
Consequently, using a blender to grind coffee allows more people to enjoy a perfect cup at home whenever they want to.
It saves valuable space in the kitchen since you do not have to store multiple appliances.
It also means that you won’t have to buy a separate device to do a different task.
Instead, you can use this money to buy the highest-quality coffee beans in the market.
How To Grind Coffee Beans in a Blender
Using a blender to grind your coffee beans at home is fairly easy.
However, it is important to take note that the resulting grounds won’t have a perfectly uniform size.
Still, you will get a more than adequate consistency to brew a perfect cup of coffee.
That is especially true if you have a sizable blender with the grinder setting.
If the one you have in your kitchen does not have this setting, don’t worry.
With some creativity, you can use the standard functions to do what you want.
To get started, select the grinder mode or medium speed.
Next, scoop ¼ or ½ cup of coffee beans, depending on your taste.
Pour the beans into the blender and close the lid shut immediately.
Make sure that you place the cover firmly so the beans do not spill out while grinding them.
Remember to use the pulse feature for the blade to stop spinning once you release the button.
Do this up to six times for three to five seconds each time.
If necessary, tilt the blender while you are grinding to achieve the consistency that you are after.
What To Look Out for When Using a Blender To Grind Coffee
While using a blender to grind coffee beans is pretty straightforward, there are a few things that you must keep in mind.
Remember that you should not let the blades spin continuously for too long for each pulse.
Doing so will generate too much friction and burn your grounds.
It will ruin the flavor of your coffee, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth both literally and figuratively.
That is why it is best to use the pulse feature while blending coffee beans.
As mentioned, all you have to do is release the button, and the blade will stop spinning.
The other thing that you have to keep track of is the time.
A duration of three to five seconds should be enough to achieve the desired consistency without overheating the coffee grounds.
If your blender does not have the pulse feature, you can still use it to grind the beans.
Just use the medium to high speed and blend intermittently.
Once done, cleaning your blender is easy since most models come with removable blades.
What Types of Coffee Can You Make After Grinding the Beans With a Blender?
The answer to the question “Can you grind coffee beans in a blender” is yes.
One slight drawback is that there is a learning curve involved.
One of the most common but critical mistakes for blender first-timers is not keeping track of the duration of each pulse.
It leads to overheating of the grounds and inconsistent size.
Still, you won’t have to worry about buying a new coffee grinder or replacing an old one with a bit of practice.
You will be able to enjoy different types of coffee anytime you want.
If you use a French press after grinding the beans, make sure that the grounds are coarse. They should be around the same size as sea salt.
For cold brews, you will need extra-coarse grounds. Just make the pulses quicker to achieve this consistency.
If you want a standard-strength cup of coffee, grind the beans to medium size. For espressos, go for the fine setting.
What Are Other Ways To Grind Coffee Without a Grinder
If you have decommissioned your coffee grinder and your blender is unavailable for some reason, don’t worry.
Just take a look around your kitchen, and you will surely find other ways to grind your coffee beans.
Below is a rundown of some of your options.
Mortar and Pestle
Pharmacists and cooks have been using these kitchen tools for centuries to grind herbs, spices, and other materials.
There is no reason for it not to work today in coffee beans.
Simply put the desired amount of coffee beans in the mortar.
Just make sure that it fills no more than ¼ of the full capacity.
Next, press the pestle down on the beans in a twisting motion to break them into a more manageable size.
After this, roll the pestle on the gourds until you achieve the consistency that you want.
Rolling Pin
If you are into baking, you probably have a rolling that you can use to grind your coffee beans.
This kitchen tool is great because it can crush and grind at the same time, giving you a more even consistency.
While it does require some elbow grease, the process is quite simple.
First, put your coffee beans in a plastic bag or between two pieces of parchment paper.
Lay it flat on the counter evenly.
Next, carefully beat the beans using the rolling pin in a hammering motion.
Once the beans are crushed, roll the pin over the grounds until you get the desired size.
Hammer
If you do not have a rolling pin, open your toolbox and take out your hammer.
Similar tools like a mallet or a meat tenderizer will also do.
Take note that these tools will give you less control.
You can’t expect to brew an espresso with the grounds you get from this method, especially in your first few attempts.
Still, you could get medium to coarse coffee grounds for drip coffee makers.
The process is somewhat similar to using the rolling pin.
Start by placing the coffee beans in a plastic bag and laying it flat on a hard surface.
However, instead of hitting the beans, press the hammer on them until they break into smaller pieces.
Do this until you get to the consistency that you need.
Food Processor
If you have a food processor, you could also use it to grind your coffee beans.
It may not be the same as the blender, but it will save you the trip to the coffee shop. The process is fairly similar.
You start by putting the coffee beans in and placing the cover firmly.
Next, use the pulse feature to grind them intermittently until you get the right size.
Get Your Coffee Fix
A coffee grinder is designed for one use only: help make every cup of coffee at home perfect.
Still, it is not the only tool in your kitchen that you can use for this purpose.
A reliable blender is equally effective in skilled hands.