5 Ways to Grind Coffee Beans With or Without a Grinder

The grinding process is crucial to achieving a delicious, well-balanced cup of coffee. There are two main types of grinders used for grinding coffee: blade and burr grinders. Consider the differences between them.

• Blade grinder: The blade grinder is the most common and affordable type of coffee grinder. It works by chopping beans with a blade—like a tiny food processor. The downside of a blade grinder is that it creates coffee particles of different sizes; in the process of grinding beans to a medium or coarse texture, some particles inevitably become fine and powdery. When the coffee particles are all different sizes, they have different extraction rates, resulting in an uneven-tasting cup. Additionally, the friction of the blade creates heat, which can damage the flavor of the beans.
• Burr grinder: Instead of chopping the beans with blades, a burr grinder (aka burr mill) crushes the beans between two rough discs called burrs. This method produces a more uniform consistency since the space between the burrs determines the particle size. Burr grinders come in a few different iterations: the old-fashioned manual grinder (which looks kind of like a hand-cranked pepper mill), the electric flat burr grinder (more adjustable; popular for commercial use), and the electric conical burr grinder (quieter; popular for home use).

If you do not have access to a coffee grinder, your best bet is to purchase pre-ground coffee from a grocery store. However, if you're in a pinch, whole-bean coffee can be ground without a grinder. Consider using one of these methods to achieve a consistent grind using common household goods.

1. 1. Grind coffee beans with a mortar and pestle. Mortars and pestles are designed for grinding spices and can be used to help you achieve a consistent coffee grind. Measure out the amount of whole bean coffee you intend to brew and grind to your desired consistency.
2. 2. Place coffee beans in a plastic bag and smash. Measure out your desired amount of coffee and place it in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Use a rolling pin, rubber mallet, or meat tenderizer to smash grind beans to your desired consistency.
3. 3. Grind beans in a food processor or blender. Measure out the coffee beans and add them to your food processor. To achieve your desired grind, use the pulse button to grind coffee in short bursts.

If you have a coffee grinder at home, you can experiment with different grinds to find what works best for you. To start, match your brewing type to the type of grind best suited for that method.

1. 1. Extra-coarse: An extra coarse grind should be 1.5mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of rock salt. It's ideal for cold brew coffee.
2. 2. Coarse grind: A coarse grind should be 1mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of coarse sea salt. It's ideal for percolators and French press coffee.
3. 3. Medium grind: A medium grind should be 0.75mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of beach sand. It's ideal for pour-over, Chemex, and drip coffee makers.
4. 4. Medium-fine grind: A medium-fine grind should be 0.5mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of table salt. It's ideal for Moka pot (stovetop espresso), Aeropress, siphon brewers, and pour-over cone coffees.
5. 5. Fine grind: A fine grind should be 0.3mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of fine granulated sugar. It's ideal for espresso machines.
6. 6. Superfine grind: A superfine grind, also known as extra fine, should be 0.1mm in particle size, similar to the consistency of flour. It's ideal for Turkish coffee.

If your coffee tastes watery and acidic, you may be grinding your beans too coarsely. Try a finer grind, and see if that fixes the issue. If your coffee tastes overly bitter, you may be grinding too finely. A coarser grind may improve your brew. (Brew time and water temperature will affect the flavor as well.)

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.