One of the questions I get asked the most about grinders is whether they can be used for something else.
The source of this question is usually that people transition from using a spice grinder to an actual coffee grinded—these have been marketed (successfully) as coffee grinders… which they are very much not.
So let’s go over whether you can or can’t use a coffee grinder to grind anything other than coffee.
By Marcelo.
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Can you actually use a coffee grinder for something other than coffee?
Yes, you can!
Coffee grinders are burr grinders. This is the same way that grain is ground into flour, only in a smaller size.
A burr is a dented stainless steel (or ceramic) disc. Two burrs are placed on top of each other and made to rotate in opposite directions.
This causes anything that passes between the burrs to be ground down.
The space between the burrs determines the grind size: the further apart they are, the coarser the grind—the closer together, the finer the grind size.
As mentioned, this is a traditional way of grinding grain which has been adapted for coffee—but the central mechanism itself is the same.
So yes: you can grind other things in it, as the burrs are powerful enough to do so.
…But should you?
In my opinion, you shouldn’t use your coffee grinder for anything else.
Even if it is perfectly possible, or even if it could be useful for other things. Let me tell you why.
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Why you shouldn’t use your coffee grinder to grind anything other than coffee
Keep in mind that I mean this not only for burr grinders, but even for blade grinders.
Coffee acts sort of like a sponge—it will absorb aroma and taste around it very quickly, as soon as it is ground.
This is why there’s a lot of carefulness around storing coffee—the slightest smell can very literally ruin the taste of your coffee.
And what other uses are there for grinders?
Spices.
The most aromatic thing you can actually use!
You can see why I would oppose this.
If you were to grind white or black pepper in your coffee grinder, I guarantee all your coffee will taste like pepper for months.
Unless you’re the kind of person that will take apart and thoroughly clean their grinders after each use (which never happens), then using your grinder for anything other than coffee is a really bad idea.
When is it okay to use your coffee grinder for spices?
There are actually a few cases in which I forgive using a coffee grinder for spices – although it’s only for a few of them.
Cinnamon
The taste is very complimentary to that of coffee, and will only leave a certain sweet aroma, but nothing too strong. Acceptable in small quantities, better yet if you’re going to use it in your coffee.
Cardamom
Another spice that goes great with coffee, cardamom is also okay in very small quantities. Because cardamom has a stronger aroma than cinnamon, it’s important you stick to one or two pods at a time.
Cocoa
Cocoa nibs and other such presentations of the cocoa bean can be ground using your coffee grinder, absolutely no problem. The aroma, taste, and everything is surprisingly similar to coffee.
Beyond those three spices (cocoa not technically a spice, but), then no.
But it’s probably good to know that there’s actually a few cases where you can use your coffee grinder for something else.
It makes you feel like you’re really getting all the bang for your buck – after all, coffee grinders are pretty expensive!
Photo by santarina81 and MART Production
