How to Grind Coffee Beans Like a Pro

Let’s be honest. A good cup of coffee can make or break your morning. However, you must understand the perfect grind size to get that perfect cup.

For most people, coffee is a non-negotiable part of the morning routine. And nothing is worse than not being able to enjoy your cup of coffee before starting the day.

Perhaps you are away from home and don’t have your normal coffee set up. Perhaps your coffee grinder broke, and it is about time you head out the door. Or maybe you mistakenly purchased whole coffee bean coffee rather than your standard pre-ground.

Whatever your situation, you might have wondered, how do you grind coffee beans without a grinder?

Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a Blender?

You can grind coffee beans in a blender. Due to the shape of blender pitchers, the grind will not be as even as you would get with a standard coffee grinder.

Also, if you run the blender longer, you could end up with powder at the bottom and a coarse grind on top. To prevent this, use the pulse function in short bursts to ensure that the coffee beans pass around in your blender, and nothing gets stuck on the bottom.

Other high-end blenders might feature a grind setting. If you have one, try it and see how you love the beans’ texture. Remember that you are aiming for all the grounds to be about the same size. No matter which approach produces, the most consistent grind is the winner.

Another thing you need to consider when using a blender to grind coffee beans is the heat. Remember that high-powered blenders are more likely to produce a lot of heat as they blend. Coffee beans are also sensitive to heat.

They are loaded with oil, so even the heat from your blender’s motor could burn the beans. When the beans are heated through hot water, coffee is made, and the beans do not burn. Nonetheless, in a dry setting, burning can take place in an instant. Burnt beans make for intolerably bitter coffee.

Can You Grind Your Coffee Beans in a Food Processor?

You can also grind coffee beans in a food processor like a blender. That tends to work better than your blender as the shape of a food processor bowl is wider and offers more surface area for the beans to move around. It also helps accomplish a more consistent and even grind.

This procedure still does not produce as consistent a grind as a real coffee grinder. It is about as close as you can get without one. Like using a blender, short and small pulses are best here. It may take at least fifteen seconds of short pulses to land at the perfect grind.

You may also need to stop after a few beats and scrape down the sides to guarantee everything is evenly combined. You can grind a little more at a time than you would in a blender, at least one-third to one-half cup per batch.

If you’re looking for a quality and versatile coffee grinder, you can find one at Pour Haus.

Our favorite choice and recommendation for coffee is Blue Bottle Coffee