How to Grind Coffee Beans Without a Grinder

Waking up to the rich invigorating aroma of freshly brewed coffee is one of life’s simple pleasures. But to get the most flavor and aroma out of your coffee beans it’s essential to grind them right before brewing. Grinding your own beans gives you control over the coarseness and freshness of your morning cup of joe. But what do you do when your trusty coffee grinder unexpectedly breaks down? Luckily, there are plenty of effective ways to grind your beans sans electric grinder.

Why Freshly Ground Beans Are Best

Pre-ground coffee begins losing its flavor immediately after grinding due to oxidation. Staling also occurs when the natural oils evaporate after being exposed to air. Grinding beans fresh before brewing locks in the rich oils and aromatic compounds that give coffee its distinct flavor. Freshly ground beans also allow you to customize the grind size based on your preferred brewing method. With options from coarse for French press to super fine for espresso you can achieve the optimal flavor and body from your beans.

Grind Beans by Hand with a Mortar and Pestle

The mortar and pestle method is a classic and effective way of grinding coffee beans without a grinder.

Step 1: Place a small number of coffee beans into the mortar.
Step 2: Use the pestle to crush and grind the coffee beans in a circular motion. Apply firm pressure to break down the beans into your desired coarseness.
Step 3: Remove the ground beans and repeat the process with fresh beans until you’ve reached your desired quantity.

A mortar and pestle allows you to achieve a very consistent grind, from coarse to super fine. Just be sure to grind small batches at a time for optimal results. Clean the mortar thoroughly between uses to prevent bean fragmentation.

Use a Rolling Pin for a Medium-Fine Grind

A rolling pin can be used to easily achieve a medium-fine coffee grind right on your kitchen counter.

Step 1: Place the beans between two sheets of parchment paper or in a resealable plastic bag.
Step 2: Gently bring the rolling pin down onto the beans with moderate force to crack them.
Step 3: Once cracked, simply roll the pin over the beans, applying pressure, until the desired consistency is reached.

The rolling pin method is great for achieving the right grind for drip coffee makers. Just be careful not to grind too vigorously, which can damage the beans.

Try a Blender for a Fast, Coarse Grind

While blenders don’t produce an extremely uniform grind, they can quickly grind beans to a coarse consistency perfect for French press.

Step 1: Measure out the beans and pulse them in the blender in short 2-3 second bursts.
Step 2: Shake or stir the grounds between pulses to ensure even grinding.
Step 3: Repeat until the desired coarseness is reached.

Be sure to clean the blender well after grinding to remove any coffee residue. A blender can produce a grind suitable for cold brew and other immersion methods as well.

Use a Spice Grinder for Espresso-Fine Grounds

While not ideal, a simple spice grinder can grind beans finely enough for espresso when a coffee grinder is not available.

Step 1: Add several tablespoons of beans to the grinder. Grind for 5-10 seconds.
Step 2: Check the consistency. Continue grinding in short pulses until a fine powder is achieved.
Step 3: Transfer the grounds to the espresso filter basket and tamp firmly before brewing.

Be aware that using spices and coffee in the same grinder will transfer flavors. Thoroughly clean after each use to prevent cross-contamination.

Try a Food Processor for All-Purpose Grinding

A food processor is a handy alternative for grinding coffee beans to a medium consistency suitable for drip brewing.

Step 1: Add beans to the food processor bowl.
Step 2: Pulse several times until the desired medium grind is reached.
Step 3: Be careful not to over process, which can negatively affect flavor.

The sharp blades and bowl shape of a food processor make it easy to grind small batches of beans for multiple brew methods. Just be diligent about cleaning it afterwards.

Use a Hammer for a Quick Coarse Grind

Don’t have a mortar and pestle? No problem. A hammer or meat tenderizer can also get the job done.

Step 1: Place the beans in a plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment paper.
Step 2: Gently hammer the beans, rotating the bag frequently, until the desired coarseness for French press or cold brew is reached.
Step 3: Apply even pressure as you hammer to get the most uniform grind.

This manual method takes some muscle but it’s a fast way to get coarsely ground beans when you’re in a pinch. Just be careful not to strike too hard and crush the beans.

Choose the Right Grind Size for Your Brew Method

Grinding beans without a machine does limit your options when it comes to grind size. But with the right technique, you can still achieve a suitable grind for just about any brewing method.

Coarse – French press, cold brew, percolator
Medium – Drip machine, pour over, Chemex
Fine – Espresso machine, Moka pot

Play around with different grinding methods to get the size you need for optimal flavor from your favorite brewing device. And mark your calendar to buy a new electric grinder!

So don’t let a broken grinder come between you and your morning coffee ritual. With a little bit of elbow grease and the help of some simple kitchen tools, you can still enjoy flavorful coffee brewed from freshly ground beans. Once you taste the difference proper grinding makes, you’ll never want to use pre-ground coffee again.

how to grind beans without a grinder

How to Grind Coffee Beans Without a Grinder : Coffee Making

FAQ

How do you grind beans manually?

Use a Rolling Pin If you’re having to resort to a manual method, a rolling pin can get the job done. This method is best suited when a coarse grind is required, like for French Press. Simply place your coffee beans into a Ziplock bag and crush them with the rolling pin, until a coarse grind is reached.

Can you grind beans in a blender?

The first step is to toss a small amount (try 1/4 cup) of beans into the blender. Pulse the beans on medium speed to break them down to your preferred grind. Using a blender generally creates a coarser grind, great for brewing with a drip coffee maker, French press or cold-brew coffee maker.

What to do with coffee beans if I don’t have a grinder?

Yes, you can grind coffee beans without a grinder. You can use a blender or food processor if you don’t want to grind them by hand. To grind beans by hand, use a hammer, mortar and pestle, hand mincer, or rolling pin. With each of these methods, you can make the grind as fine or coarse as you want.

What is the best way to grind coffee beans?

The two most popular ways to grind coffee beans are with a burr grinder or blade grinder. Burr grinders, the gold standard of grinding, pulverize coffee beans with metal burrs while blade grinders chop beans with blades.

How to grind coffee beans without a grinder?

But if you need very fine grounds, you can only achieve that by using the very first coffee grinding method in history – the mortar and pestle. That’s it. Now you know how to grind coffee beans without a grinder!

What is the best way to eat beans?

The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.

How to grind beans with a knife?

The best way to grind your beans with a knife is to use the flat of the blade, not the edge. The design of a butcher knife or chef’s knife, with its slightly wider and stiffer blade, helps to provide extra leverage to improve the process of crushing and cracking the beans.