Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Blender?

Regardless of whether we are working from home or going to the office, for many of us life in capitalism is quite busy and doesn’t leave a lot of space for small pleasures. One of those that we recently gave a lot of thought to is coffee.  We love coffee, and each day we start with a fresh cup in our hands.  For a long time, we didn’t make it at home, though, because we were continually under the impression we didn’t have time to make it. So, each morning we were running to our favorite coffee shop to get a cup of our beloved hot beverage.

When the pandemic started and everything had to close, we didn’t have a choice but to get a coffee maker and start making coffee at home. But the funny thing was that none of the coffee blends we bought in stores tasted like the beverage we were buying in the coffee shop. We were convinced that we were doing something wrong since we didn’t have lots of experience in making coffee. However, as we didn’t know what it was, so we kind of stopped thinking about it.

Then, one day we ran into a friend who was a barista during his college years and we decided to ask him about it. We were super surprised when he told us that it is better to grind the beans than to buy pre ground coffee in the store.  He explained that beans bring much more taste and allow us to make the exact combination that we want. “Oh, but that means that we have to buy a grinder as well, doesn’t it?!”  “No, no, if you already have it, you can grind coffee in a blender!”. Then he gave us a few tips on how to do it properly, and showed us the right way how to grind coffee beans with a blender. And now that we know it, we’re excited to pass this knowledge, and share it with you!

Why Learn How To Grind Coffee Beans In A Blender?

If you pay attention, you will notice that people in coffee shops grind coffee each time they need to brew it. That is why your cup of hot magic potion is always so perfectly fresh.  The thing is that when you buy pre-ground coffee, no matter how well you store it, after a few days, it will become stale. And while grinding beans every morning will require a bit more time, you won’t have this problem. Grinding coffee just before making it reduces the risk of oxygen exposure. Apart from that, it is a way for the beans to retain the natural oils, which naturally makes the taste much better. Among other things, these are the reasons many coffee aficionados prefer to purchase coffee maker with grinder models.

Can I Grind Any Coffee Beans In A Blender?

When it comes to grinding coffee in a blender, you can use any type of beans you want. The only thing you have to make sure of is that they are roasted.  So even if you have a mill, you have to check whether you can grind green beans because not all of them are made for that. However, keep in mind that it is essential to think about the size of the grounds. It is important because different coffee makers require you to use different grind sizes.

What Blender To Get for Grinding Beans?

Bear in mind that you can do much more with the blender than just grinding beans. Hence if you need it solely to grind beans, then getting a grinder would be a much better idea, honestly. But if you also want to make smoothies, shakes, hummus, etc., and grind coffee beans then buying a blender is a good idea.  In that case, we would recommend opting for bigger and more powerful blenders such as Vitamix or Ninja. Keep in mind that blenders are powerful machines and you need to use them carefully, to prevent injuries.

Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Ninja?

As we had this brand, we asked our friend: “Well, can you grind coffee beans in a Ninja?”. Indeed, most Ninja blenders are powerful enough to grind coffee beans. However, you need to make sure to get a model with an engine of 500 watts at least for the consistent grind. Also, keep in mind that it is best to use a Ninja blender on lower settings.

Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Vitamix?

Yes, most definitely you can use Vitamix to grind coffee beans!  Believe it or not but this appliance even comes with special attachments for grinding coffee. You can also get a dry container to make things even easier. And much like with Ninja – remember to use low settings for blending.

Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Magic Bullet or Nutribullet?

When wondering can you use a blender to grind coffee some of you may have Magic bullet or Nutribullet in mind. Same as the previous two, these machines are perfectly capable of grinding coffee. The only thing you need to do is find the right blade. When you do, put the beans in the cup and apply the pressure.

Grinding Coffee Beans in a Blender

Okay, now, when we answered the question can you grind coffee beans in a blender; it is time to see how to do it. In this part, we will go through step-by-step instructions on how to grind beans for espresso or another type of coffee in a blender.

  • If the blender has grinder settings, select this function. If not, set it on medium-high.
  • Pour the coffee. Ideally, you should add ¼ to ½  cup of beans.
  • Close the lid.
  • Grind the beans for 3 to 5 seconds using the pulse setting.
  • Do it 6 times to grind 30 seconds at maximum.
  • If you feel it’s necessary, tilt the blender a bit to get the consistent grind.

How Else Can I Grind Coffee Beans Without A Grinder?

You can use other ways to grind coffee without a grinder. Let’s see some of the methods.

Food Processor

A food processor is similar to a blender, so the entire process is similar. However, you will need more beans because the processor tank is wider than the one of a blender.

  • Pour 1/ 2 to 1 cup of coffee.
  • Grind on pulse settings for 3-5 seconds.
  • Repeat up to six times to grind for 30 seconds maximum.
  • Tilt for consistency.

Rolling Pin

  • First, put the beans in a bag that you can close with a zip.
  • Take the pin and smash the beans like you would with a hammer.
  • Then, roll the pin over the bag while applying pressure.
  • This process takes time, so you need to be patient to get the right consistency.
  • Keep rolling until you get the type of coffee you want.

Mortar and Pestle

People have been using mortar and pestle for ages for different purposes, including to grind coffee beans. For example, pharmacists used it to make medicines and chefs to crush spices, etc. And grinding coffee with mortar and pestle is pretty straightforward.

  • Place a small amount of beans in a mortar. 
  • Take the pestle with a stronger hand and hold the mortar with the other one.
  • Crush the beans with the pestle but make sure to not turn them into dust.
  • Stir the entire time to ensure a consistent ground.

You will need about 2 tablespoons for one serving. If you want to make more coffee repeat the process.

Which Method to Use for Best Coffee?

Well, it depends on your preferences. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages. If you use a blender, you will get a coarse grind perfect for a French press or a standard drip coffee maker.  But on the other hand, the blender may overheat the beans and tamper the taste.

The manual tools such as a rolling pin take some time and are not an ideal option when you’re in a hurry and need a fresh coffee in the morning.  However, they are also the cheapest option, and even provide some exercise since you have to take some effort and work to grind.

Bullet blender is a good choice because it does the job quickly and it is quite easy to use. Plus, you can make a medium, fine or coarse grind. And since coarse brew is often used for espresso, this method would be great if you love this type of coffee. Still, bullet grinding also has some cons, for instance if you overdo it, the beans might be too fine and sticky.

Conclusion

If you ask, any professional barista will tell you that it is much better to grind beans than to buy pre-ground coffee in the store. And seriously, once you try, you realize that the taste, the aroma, and the freshness cannot compare. 

And with that said, hope that now you know how can you grind coffee beans in a blender! So have you ever tried to grind your coffee beans? What did you use?

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