Do you have coffee beans and need to turn them into ground coffee to make coffee? You only have a food processor and need to know if it will work.
Yes, a food processor will grind coffee beans.
Before you start grinding, read our guide on how to get the best results.
How to Grind Coffee Beans in a Food Processor
Before you start, you should think about how you’re going to brew the coffee. The reason for this is that different methods of brewing require different coarseness.
Click here to Jump Down to learn the coffee grind coarseness for each method of coffee.
Now that you’ve defined the grind size, you have a better idea of how long you want to grind your beans.
It is important to start with freshly roasted beans when grinding whole coffee beans in a food processor.
We provide directions below on how to grind coffee beans in a food processor, but we can’t give you a definitive amount of time that you need to grind. This is due to too many variables, such as the type of processor, amount, and beans.
It’s important to mention that you should grind small batches of coffee beans at a time. You don’t want to end up like the image below.
The ideal speed is the “grinder” preset. If it doesn’t have it, then select medium-high speed.
Keep the lid on. Losing an eye to a stray coffee bean is not a cool story.
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Coarse Grind
Add coffee beans to the food processor. Grind them for a few seconds using a pulsing method. You’re not grinding for a long time with each pulse. Every 2 or 3 seconds of grinding, stop and shake the processor.
By shaking the machine, you’re pushing the coffee onto the blade back in the center to achieve a uniform coffee grind size. Again, it’s not recommended to fill up the processor tank.
Medium-Fine Grind
Add a small amount of coffee beans. This time, grind your coffee beans for up to 12 seconds to start. After you’ve given it its first longer grind, stop to shake the grinds into the center.
It should be noted that you’re not trying to crush every bean. If you try, the crushed beans will become too fine. You’ll end up with an inconsistent grind. They won’t be uniform, which is ideal for a great-tasting cup of coffee.
This is because blade grinders chop beans into pieces using blades instead of cutting them with burrs.
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Which Brewing Method is Best for Coffee Grinds from a Food Processor?
French press is the ideal brew method with coffee grinds from a food processor. This is because the coffee is coarse, and the immersion method is more forgiving if you don’t have a uniform grind.
Here are some general guidelines for using coffee grinds from a food processor with different brewing methods:
- Drip coffee makers: These machines typically require a medium-fine grind, so if the grind from your food processor is consistent and falls within this range, it should work well.
- French press: This brewing method requires a coarser grind, so if the grind from your food processor is relatively even and falls within this range, it should work well.
- Moka Pot: These machines require a fine, consistent grind, so if the grind from your food processor is not fine or consistent enough, it may not work well.
- Pour-over: This brewing method can be more forgiving in terms of grind size, so if the grind from your food processor is relatively even, it should work well. However, if the grind is too coarse, it may not extract fully and the coffee may taste weak.
Best Beans for Grinding Coffee Beans in a Food Processor
Coffee beans with a softer bean density are better to grind in a food processor. Green coffee beans that are unroasted may damage your equipment.
It’s difficult for the untrained to tell which coffee beans are hard or soft in density.
Ideally, beans that have been vacuum-sealed will stay fresh longer and prevent them from going stale. Fresh beans are best for the food processor.
Do not grind beans that have been in the freezer. While the freezer does keep the beans fresh, they harden, which will make the job more difficult.
The Difference of Coffee Grinder and a Food Processor to Grind Coffee
A coffee grinder uses a burr grinder specifically designed to crush the beans. It’s much easier to achieve the desired coarseness. It typically has a cone-shaped hopper to feed the whole beans into the grinder. It has various settings to adjust the grind size.
A food processor, on the other hand, is a general-purpose kitchen appliance that can be used for a wide variety of culinary tasks.
However, a food processor is not as effective at grinding coffee as a dedicated coffee grinder because it is not able to achieve as fine a grind. It struggles to grind a large quantity of beans in one sitting. Most importantly, it can’t grind the beans consistently to achieve a uniform grind size. This makes extraction easier, which helps your coffee come out strong, bold, yet smooth.
Lastly, the blade of a food processor is not designed to grind the coffee beans, so it produces a less consistent grind.
Final Thoughts on Grinding Coffee in a Food Processor
It is best to have a proper burr or conical grinder, but if you don’t, a food processor can get the job done.
You now understand how to grind coffee beans without a grinder and the best practices to follow in order to make the perfect cup of coffee.
