Many people in today’s modern coffee-drinking society use a grinder. Whether it is because they are using the coffee to make an Espresso or just for ease of use, grinding coffee beans is a common practice for brewing different types of coffee. 

The following article will help you identify 5 different ways that you can grind coffee beans without having to purchase a quality grinder.

Different Ways To Grind Coffee Without A Grinder

1. Mortar and Pestle

Mortar and pestle is a primitive way of grinding coffee beans within a cup. It is often used to grind spices and herbs and be used in the same fashion for grinding coffee beans.

Grinding Procedure

1. Get a cup of coffee beans and add it to the mortar.

2. Grind for a few seconds with the pestle as you would grind spices or herbs with it.

3. Once you are satisfied with the grind, add the grinds into your cup of coffee or Espresso machine for brewing and enjoy!

2. Blender

A blender is another way for grinding coffee beans. Blenders are often used to prepare smoothies and shakes and can also be used to grind coffee beans quickly.

Grinding Procedure

1.Add beans to the blender.

2.Tightly secure the lid and press blend for a few seconds.

3. Continue blending until the desired texture is achieved. You should be able to feel the difference between freshly ground coffee beans and ground coffee that has been crushed to dust.

4. Pour off the grounds and transfer to a coffee filter to remove any extra dry ground bean bits. A paper funnel can be used for filtration.

3. A Rolling Pin

Another way to grind coffee beans is the use of a rolling pin. This can be quite difficult and requires time and patience to achieve a coarse texture.

Grinding Procedure

1. Remove all of the beans from the bag.

2. Toss the beans into a blender until they are almost crushed.

3. Starting from one end of the plate, use your rolling pin (make sure it is clean) to roll over the beans until they are ground to your liking.

4. Continue to place freshly ground coffee on top of the already-ground beans and continue with the rolling process until you have ground your entire cup of coffee or bag.

5. Enjoy!

4. Hammer

This grinding procedure is quite controversial and not something that most people would recommend. However, you can use a hammer to grind the coffee beans for brewing quickly.

Grinding Procedure

1. Firstly, you need to grind your coffee beans to the desired coarseness.

2. Next, you will need a hammer to crush the coffee beans to a finer texture. This should only be done in a well-ventilated area.

3. After crushing the ground coffee with a hammer, transfer it to your blender.

4. Grind with your blender for as long as you need to achieve a coarse consistency in your coffee beans for brewing. 

5. Continue to add fresh ground coffee on top of the already-ground beans until you have used all the raw material. 

5. Metal Basket (Belt Slicer)

A metal basket is a relatively new tool for grinding coffee beans without a grinder. This can be done easily and is quite effective at getting a coarse texture in the coffee beans.

Grinding Procedure

1. Grind your coffee beans to the coarseness desired and transfer them to a metal basket or see-saw. 

2. The metal basket should be placed on top of your hand, with the bottom of the metal basket facing upwards. 

3. If you grind your coffee beans by hand, use your other hand to use the metal basket as a “saw” and grind the coffee beans by moving them back and forth.

4. Grind until you achieve the desired coarseness in your ground coffee beans. 

5. This can also be done with an electrical device such as a wooden handle attached to a metal blade or a see-saw mechanism. 

Which Method Is More Suitable?

If you are looking for a quick, easy and cheap grinding process, any of the above methods will suffice. However, choosing the mortar and pestle or manual grinder methods is recommended as they are more practical.

What Is The Suitable Grind Size And How To Measure It?

The size of your coffee grounds will affect the flavor of the final coffee brew. Espresso and Cappuccino-based drinks require a uniform grind, whereas medium to dark roasted coffees are best brewed with more coarsely ground beans.

There are two methods to measure the grind size.

1. Volumetric method – use measuring cups or spoons to measure the number of coffee grounds you need for your preferred drink.

2. Weight method – weigh the coffee grounds needed for your preferred drink, then add to your coffee maker.

Three Basic Coffee Grind Sizes

1. Coarse

A coarse grind produces a coffee drink that is optimum for bold, earthy flavors. These types of coffees can be served as Espresso or with hot milk through a French press. The most common size of the coffee grind is the Turkish blend, which measures between 14 and 18 grinds per square inch. In the United States, other popular coarse-grind coffee beans are Italian styles, which have a larger particle size range between 16 and 20 grinds per inch.

2. Medium

A medium grind produces a coffee drink that is best for light, smooth flavors. These types of coffees can be served with straight-based beverages such as Americano, American coffee, Drip Coffee, and Aeropress. The most common size of the medium coffee grind is French, which measures between 8 and 12 grinds per square inch. In the United States, other popular medium-grind coffees are Colombian blends that will have a smaller particle size range from 2 to 10 grinds per inch.

3. Fine

A fine grind produces a coffee drink that is best for delicate, smooth flavors. These types of coffees can be served with other beverages that contain sugar or cream. The most popular type of fine-grind coffee is Turkish, which measures between 1 and 4 grinds per square inch. In the United States, other popular fine-grind coffees are French blends that have a particle size range from 0.5 to 5.5 grinds per inch.

These sizes are further divided into four different coffee grind sizes. 

1) Extra Coarse Grind

A less popular type of coffee grind is the extra coarse grind. It has a particle size range between 15 and 20 grinds per inch but does not exceed 25 grinds per inch. These coffee beans are suited for Espresso, which has a very strong flavor and is hard to mask with lighter roasts.

2) Medium-Coarse Grind

This size of grind coffee has a particle size range of 8 and 12 grinds per inch. This type is optimum for dark roasts.

3) Medium-Fine Grind

This size of coffee grind has a particle size range of 2 and 10 grinds per inch but does not exceed 15. The most common type of medium-fine grind is French and you can use it to pour over these beans for brewing. 

4) Extra-Fine Grind

This type of grind has a particle size range of 0.5 to 5.5 grinds per inch but does not exceed 5. The most popular type of fine-grind coffee is French, which has the most versatility compared with the other three types.

The Best Ways To Store Coffee Beans

While coffee beans can be stored at room temperature for a certain period of time, it is best to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Keep in mind that storing your coffee in the freezer or fridge will not do any good, as these foods can cause condensation along with other unwanted effects and smells.

If you want to store your coffee beans for more than a week, it is recommended to keep them away from light. This is important because it will retain the coffee’s flavor and ability to keep it fresh for a longer duration.

When buying coffee beans, it is best to examine them before purchasing if you want to ensure that it is free of any unwanted substances. The most common contaminants present in coffee beans are botulinum toxin, E. coli, and mycotoxins from moldy beans.

What Features To Look For When Buying A Coffee Grinder

1. Electric or Manual Grinders

The choice between electric and manual grinders is based on the user’s preference.

Electric grinders are more versatile as they can be plugged in and used anywhere. They are also more powerful than a manual grinder, which makes them easier to use, especially if you are grinding many coffee beans in one sitting. On the other hand, manual grinders tend to be more portable and dependable since no parts can malfunction.

2. Burr or Blade Grinders 

The key difference between these two types of grinders is that burr grinders use mechanisms such as gears, wheels, or other tools to create the grinding action as opposed to blades. Blade grinders are simpler and cheaper to make, but the coffee ground with this type of grinder can be hard to control.

3. Capacity 

The capacity of the grinder or burr is how much coffee beans it can store at once. With a larger capacity, you can preserve your coffee beans for longer periods of time. When buying a grinder, it is good to check its capacity and even the type of beans stored.

4. Price 

The price of the coffee grinder will depend on its features, functionalities, brand name, and motor. Its price ranges from $20 to $500, with the most common types being between $75 and $200.

5. Consistency

It is important to ensure that the coffee beans are ground consistently to produce the desired flavor of the coffee. If you find too many grounds inside your grinder, you should consider buying a new one.

6. Grinding Size Selector 

If you want to find the right size of coffee beans for your beverage, it is best to choose a grinder that allows you to change the grinding size. With this feature, you can grind your beans into fine or coarse enough particles for the amount of time you intend to use them. The most common sizes are Turkish and French, as mentioned earlier.

7. Timer 

A timer on an electric grinder will help you determine how long you have been grinding your beans, which is a key factor in saving power.

8. Safety

One thing to look for in a coffee grinder is the safety feature that prevents it from grinding when the lid or the hopper are opened. This is important to prevent any accidents or burns.

Conclusion 

Above all, your preference for coffee will determine which grinder is the best for you. Coffee can be reduced in size with or without a grinder. But if you are looking for the best coffee grinder to simplify your morning grind, be sure to consider all of the factors mentioned above and your budget and other personal preferences.

Hope this article was informational and provided you with relevant details. Good Day!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best grind levels for different coffee brew methods? 

A: Espresso: 8-15 grinds per inch for a narrow drip

French Press: 5-8.5 grinds per inch for a coarse drip

Filter coffee: 6-12 grinds per inch for a medium to fine drip 

Drip coffee: 14-20 grinds per inch for a medium to fine drip

Q: How should I store my coffee? 

A: Store your beans in an airtight container or coffee canister. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. To keep your beans fresh, you can also opt to refrigerate or freeze them.

Q: What is the difference between Espresso grind and drip grind?

A: When it comes to brewing, Espresso has a smaller particle size than drip-brew coffee. Espresso machines use a finer grind, allowing greater control over the amount of time each drip is extracted. On the other hand, a drip coffee machine requires more time than an Espresso machine and uses a coarse grind to ensure all ground beans are extracted within minutes. 

Q: What grind level should be used for a French Press?

A: The best coffee grind level for French press is a coarse grind. This is because it allows the larger chunks of beans to fit into the pot. If you use finer grounds, it will take more time and produce a bitter taste at the end of the process.

Q: How do I use a burr grinder?

A: Burr grinders allow ample control over the coarseness of the coffee, which is great for Espresso and other coffee-based beverages. It also allows for better flavor extraction. Certain types of burr grinders have timers on them, meaning you can program them to automatically shut off after a certain amount of time. This is a useful process if you need to grind the beans throughout the day.