If you received a bag of the coffee bean as a gift, but you do not have a coffee grinder at home since you always buy ground coffee. You might not want to buy an expensive grinder just for this bag of coffee, but you also do not want to give way this special gift. Please do not worry as I will help you to solve this problem with four quick and easy ways to grind coffee beans without grinder. All you need are kitchen tools, which you will easily find in most kitchens.
This guide is also very helpful for those who have a coffee grinder, but it is suddenly broken when you need your coffee the most.
Mortar and pestle
This is one of the most old school ways to crush things up. Thousand years ago, people already used mortar and pestle to grind spices and other items into powder. You might have it in your kitchen if you love to crush peanut for your salad or making guacamole or pesto at home.
Your coffee bean might not be perfectly ground compare to grinder, but it is one of the best way to grind coffee beans without grinder.
Please note that you only need to grind enough coffee beans for your brew. Try not to grind it at one and use it later since it is best to keep the coffee in the form of the whole bean. By this way, the shelf life of coffee will be will longer.
Instruction:
- Using a tablespoon to scoop the coffee bean into the mortar. Two spoons should be enough for 1 round. You can do many rounds if you need more.
- Using the pestle to crush the bean. Remember to stir it to ensure the bean is crushed evenly.
- Checking the size of the ground coffee which should match the size of the ground coffee that you usually buy.
- You can repeat the whole process if you need more.
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Blender
Do you know that your blender might have a grinder setting? Which means you also can grind your coffee bean with it. It will function the same as a coffee blade grinder.
If your blender does not have a grinder setting, it also can be used in this case. Although the grind size might not be consistent as you expected, it would help you to get it done.
Please note, for safety purposes, please close the lip tightly while blending to avoid the coffee bean lying to your eyes.
Instruction
- Pouring enough coffee to the blender, close the lip and start blending.
- If your blender has a grinder setting, select it, otherwise use pulse function.
- Do not let the blender run continuously. Having a quick burst, then stop and repeat until you see the desired coffee grind size.
Rolling pin & a Ziploc bag
If baking is your hobby, then a rolling pin should be somewhere in your lovely kitchen. Fortunately, since roasted coffee bean is crispy; thus, a rolling pin with a Ziploc bag might do the trick if you do not have a grinder.
Instruction:
- Get enough coffee beans for your need and put it in the Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and wrap it up again with a clear cling wrap to avoid the mess.
- Placing the bag on the counter or cutting board, using the rolling pin to press and roll over the bag. Repeat multiple times until you see the coffee bean is ground in the size that you need.
- Note: if you do not have a rolling pin, you can use a bottle of wine or stainless steel water bottle. For the Ziploc bag, if you do not have it, you can use other plastic bags as long as it is strong enough to hold the bean while rolling.
A hammer & a Ziploc bag
What happens if you do not have any of the kitchen tools that we mentioned above? A hammer in your garage might help you to do the job.
By using a hammer together with a Ziploc bag, you also can grind the coffee bean as other methods do. For this method, you might only achieve a coarse grind or medium-coarse grind size, which is suitable for French Press, Percolator, or Chemex.
Please be careful not to hurt your hand while using the hammer.
Instruction:
- Placing coffee bean in the Ziploc bag, press and release all the air out. Seal the bag and wrap it by using a kitchen towel.
- Using the hammer to hit lightly and evenly. Turn the bag and repeat it.
Other Alternatives
Above are 4 easy ways that will help you to grind coffee beans without grinder by using some of the most common tools that you can find at home.
However, in the worst scenario, if you do not have any tools above or these methods do not seem to work for you. You might call and check with your local coffee shop if they are willing to grind your coffee for a small fee. Please remember to check first as they might not want to grind coffee that you do not buy from them.
Borrowing coffee grinder from your parents, friends is also another way if they live nearby to you.