Can You Grind Whole Bean Coffee Without a Grinder? 5 Ways
There are a whole bunch of benefits to buying whole bean coffee instead of pre-ground coffee. The main reason we love buying whole bean coffee is that it’s simply a fresher product that tastes way better! With whole beans, you can also control the grind and grind as much or as little as you want to preserve the freshness as long as possible.
But what if you don’t have a grinder? Can you still make whole bean coffee?
Definitely. While the result won’t be the same due to an inconsistent grind, there are actually multiple ways that you can make whole bean coffee without a regular coffee grinder. These include different grinding methods that just use regular kitchen tools, and brewing the whole coffee beans without grinding them at all (although this method takes much more time).
If the cost of a good coffee grinder is what’s getting you, there are also ways that you can still get a decent grind without spending $100 on a nice conical burr grinder.
Pin This Post for Later!
Whole Beans Vs. Pre-Ground Coffee
What’s the difference between whole beans coffee and pre-ground coffee anyway? Does it matter which one you buy?
The biggest difference between buying buying your own beans and buying coffee grounds is that whole bean coffee is usually much fresher. As soon as you grind coffee beans and expose them to air, the flavor begins to degrade and the grounds start to absorb the aromas around them. Because of this, whole bean coffee is the best way to get the freshest coffee and most flavor possible from your beans.
When you grind your own whole-bean coffee, you can also control the grind in order to get the best result for different brewing methods.
For example, French Press coffee requires a very course grind.
Pour overs and cold brew coffee do best with course grounds.
Medium grounds are ideal for regular drip coffee makers.
Fine grounds are ideal for espresso machines.
And even finer grounds (almost a fine powder) are best for Turkish coffee.
Being able to control the coffee ground size, extra freshness, and a cleaner product are all reasons why many coffee lovers choose to switch over to whole beans.
Are whole coffee beans expensive?
Whole bean coffee usually costs a bit more than similar pre-ground coffee beans at the grocery store. This is mainly because they’re usually a higher quality product.
We prefer the freshness of whole bean coffee, but also prioritize being wise consumers and thrifty spenders. If you’re in the same boat, check out our blog post about how we save money grinding our own coffee beans!
Can You Grind Whole Bean Coffee Without a Grinder?
If you don’t have unlimited money to spend on coffee (who does!), buying a quality coffee grinder can be the biggest hurdle to brewing your own whole bean coffee at home. Thankfully, there are numerous ways that you can still make whole bean coffee without a coffee grinder. These methods include simply brewing your whole beans or using common kitchen tools to grind your coffee at home.
If you are going to get into spending the money on whole bean coffee, we’d definitely recommend saving up for a decent quality conical burr grinder. You can get a pretty good model for around $50.
However, if want to try whole beans without spending a lot of money, the electricity goes out, or you’re on a camping trip, it’s great to know the options for still making a delicious cup of coffee.
And if you do need to grind extra coffee ahead of time, like if you’re going on a trip, make sure to store any extra in an airtight container in order to get the freshest coffee possible when you do brew it.
At the end of this article, we’ll also share our top tips for getting the best cup of coffee that you can without a fancy grinder.
How To Make Whole Bean Coffee
Brewing a fresh cup of coffee with just whole beans (in other words, without grinding them at all) isn’t difficult, but the brewing process does take some time. This method is great for camping trips or any time you don’t have either a grinder or electricity available. You will need a way to heat up water in a pot though – either an electric or propane burner.
Here’s how you can make whole bean coffee:
- Fill a mason jar with 1/4 cup of whole beans.
- Add 1 cup of hot water to the jar.
- Put the mason jar inside a saucepan and add water to the pan, up to the water level of the jar.
- Simmer for one hour.
- Remove the jar carefully and strain your coffee into a mug.
5 DIY Methods for Grinding Whole Bean Coffee Without a Grinder
If you want a quicker cup of coffee without a coffee grinder, there are some easy methods you can use to get fresh ground coffee with tools you probably already have in your kitchen.
The downside of most of these alternative methods is that you’re going to get an inconsistent grind. For the best cup of coffee possible, grind consistency definitely matters. But in a pinch, you can still brew a quick cup of fresh coffee using these methods.
1. Blender
A blender is one of the easiest ways to grind your coffee. It grinds similarly to a blade grinder, but usually with a less consistent grind size. For best results, pulse your blender in short bursts rather than one long grind.
Make sure you wash your blender thoroughly with soap afterwards, because the smell of coffee can stick. (There are certainly worse smells that coffee though, right?)
2. Food processor
A food processor works similarly to a blender with its blades. With this method, you’ll likely end up with a mixtures of coarse grounds and finer grounds (similar results compared to a blender), but it’s definitely an effective method that will get your whole beans ready to brew quickly.
Like with a blender, you should grind in short bursts in your food processor. You can also shake or tilt it carefully between pulses to move the grinds around. Grinding a small amount of beans at a time is the best way to get the most consistent coffee grind size possible.
3. Rolling pin
Would you have guessed that that something as simple as a rolling pin can be a great way to grind your coffee in a pinch?
To use this method, start by measuring out the amount of beans you need for your brew. Then, put them in a Ziploc bag and seal it carefully, making sure to remove any air.
Lay the bag out on a flat surface, with the beans in a single layer. Roll your rolling pin carefully over the plastic bag to crush the beans until you reach the consistency you want.
This method can also work with a meat tenderizer or even a hammer or mallet. Be extra sure to make sure that your plastic bag is sealed so you don’t have beans flying everywhere.
4. Mortar and pestle
If you have a mortar and pestle, this just might be the best of these methods for getting the grounds to your desired consistency, because it gives you the most precise control. Mortar and pestles have been around for centuries for grinding herbs and spices.
Simply add your beans to the mortar, filling no more than 1/4 of the way full. You can do a second batch if needed. Use your other hand to crush with the pestle in a circular motion until the grinds reach your preferred consistency. Whether you want a course grind for the french press method, a medium grind for drip coffee, or a finer grind for espresso, the mortar and pestle method allows you to perfect your grinding process with these traditional hand tools.
5. Knife
If you’re desperate, you can even use a large, flat knife (like a butcher knife) to crush your whole bean coffee. This usually creates a course grind and can be somewhat dangerous if you’re not used to working with knives.
Place your beans on a sturdy surface and cover them with a towel to prevent them from flying everywhere. Then, use the flat side of the knife to apply pressure and crush your beans. Press down firmly rather than pounding on the knife. You can also slide the knife slightly back and forth to create a more medium-fine grind.
Our Best Tips for Making Coffee Without a Fancy Grinder
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you’ll probably find that sooner or later you end up making the investment to get a good-quality electric coffee grinder, like a conical burr grinder. (And if you’re someone who stops at the coffee shop on a regular basis, it might only take a month or two of holding back from this habit to save up what you need to make a delicious cup of coffee at home!).
But, if you don’t want to use electricity, need some time to save up, or don’t have the space for a larger electric grinder, here are two options you might not have thought of:
1. Consider an inexpensive electric grinder
Did you know that some of Amazon’s best electric blade grinders cost only about $15? While you won’t get the most consistent grind with this option, it’s going to be better than most of the DIY methods above (and easier). You can also use this type of coffee grinder as a spice grinder or for other foods, like nuts and grains.
2. Manual grinder with a ceramic burr (plus a time-saving tip!)
You can also buy a manual grinder for about the same price. This is a great option for a lot of people, because for about $15, you can get a more consistent and even grind with a ceramic burr, adjust the coarseness of the grind, save counter space, and avoid having to depend on electricity.
The downside of this method is that it can be time-consuming and tiring to use. But here’s a cool tip!
If you have a power drill, you can actually easily unscrew the handle on the grinder and chuck your drill to the manual grinder. Then, just use the drill to spin the grinder. Make sure you don’t go too fast so as not to overheat your grinder.
Why work harder when you can work smarter?
Here’s a picture tutorial showing how we do this:
Which Method is Your Favorite for Grinding Coffee Beans at Home?
While electric coffee grinders will ultimately allow you to get the best cup of coffee due to both consistency and a wide variety of grinds at your fingertips, running out and purchasing a proper coffee grinder right away isn’t always the wisest choice.
Thankfully, these with these methods, you can still grind your whole beans, whether you’re just considering switching over to whole bean coffee, your aunt bought you a bag of beans for your birthday, or your power goes out!
Did you try any of these methods for grinding your own coffee without an electric grinder? Which one do you think works best?
Related Posts
