<p>I used to use a spice grinder until I got a good burr grinder.</p>

<p>It doesn't give a perfectly even grind, but it works well enough.<br>
The downside really is you have to dedicate it to coffee… unless you like cumin-flavoured coffee every once in a while.</p>

<p>A blender or food processor will make an even worse job of sizing the grind.<br>
It's probably worth trying each once, but don't expect the results to be particularly good.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-10T16:26:34.590Z
2019-12-10T16:26:34.590Z
Tetsujin
<p>If you have to choose between those two evils, use the food processor. It is made for reducing solid food to crumbs. A blender is something entirely else - it is meant for turning mushy food into a uniform liquid. While you can try throwing dry food into a blender, you 1) get a worse result, and 2) risk damaging the blender. </p>

<p>I will also note that neither of them is the right tool for the job. If you try the food processor and the results are bad, that's not because the blender would have been better, it's because to get it done well, you need a grinder. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-10T17:44:28.447Z
2019-12-10T17:44:28.447Z
rumtscho
<p>You can't beat a burr grinder as they produce consistent sized grinds. </p>

<p>But, if you're trying to produce the best cup of coffee with either a food processor or a blender. Post processing the grinds would probably be your best bet to avoid an inconsistent coffee grind size with an in uneven flavor extraction. </p>

<p>With no experience using the food processor or blender as a coffee grinder I'd choose the blender as a blender is going to stir and chop resulting in more even grind size. (based on the blade slightly slanted orientation in a coffee grinder. is no slant on a food processor)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-10T16:20:44.600Z
2019-12-10T16:20:44.600Z
iamthedrake
<p>I guess both food processors and blenders would act like big blade grinders. Blade grinders give particles of a wide range of sizes, from fine dust to chunks.  This gives uneven flavor extraction (if you can taste it), and requires the use of the finest filter.  If I had to choose, a small food processor might be superior, since the blades on blenders are pitched to stir more than to cut.  </p>

<p>Lacking a burr grinder, which gives more consistent particle size and therefore predictable extraction, I'd repurpose an old pepper grinder!  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-10T16:21:40.777Z
A pepper grinder might work, but boy you'd need some patience - one cup would be one mill-full; that's gonna be something like 1,000 twists or so. I had a manual 'real' burr grinder which drove me nuts enough. 150 turns per shot. I got rid of the handle & slotted the top. My electric drill became the drive motor ;)
Tetsujin
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-10T15:59:58.503Z
2019-12-10T15:59:58.503Z
RalphMudhouse
<p>Which is better for grinding coffee for use in a drip coffee maker: Food processor or blender?</p>

<p><hr>Update: I noticed that my food processor makes evenly-sized course grounds, and my blender grinds smaller, but unevenly: fine, packed dust and medium-course grounds.</p>

<p>Conclusion from my experimentation: A blender is overall better.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-11T21:07:29.447Z
@GdD Why? How does the mechanics of a grinder differ?
Geremia
<equipment>
Which is better for grinding coffee: Food processor or blender?
Geremia
# Which is better for grinding coffee: Food processor or blender?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-10)

Which is better for grinding coffee for use in a drip coffee maker: Food processor or blender?

---

Update: I noticed that my food processor makes evenly-sized course grounds, and my blender grinds smaller, but unevenly: fine, packed dust and medium-course grounds.

Conclusion from my experimentation: A blender is overall better.

**Tags:** equipment

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @GdD Why? How does the mechanics of a grinder differ?  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-12-10. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

I guess both food processors and blenders would act like big blade grinders. Blade grinders give particles of a wide range of sizes, from fine dust to chunks. This gives uneven flavor extraction (if you can taste it), and requires the use of the finest filter. If I had to choose, a small food processor might be superior, since the blades on blenders are pitched to stir more than to cut.

Lacking a burr grinder, which gives more consistent particle size and therefore predictable extraction, I'd repurpose an old pepper grinder!

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A pepper grinder might work, but boy you'd need some patience - one cup would be one mill-full; that's gonna be something like 1,000 twists or so. I had a manual 'real' burr grinder which drove me nuts enough. 150 turns per shot. I got rid of the handle & slotted the top. My electric drill became the drive motor ;)  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-12-10. Score: 1

I used to use a spice grinder until I got a good burr grinder.

It doesn't give a perfectly even grind, but it works well enough.  
The downside really is you have to dedicate it to coffee… unless you like cumin-flavoured coffee every once in a while.

A blender or food processor will make an even worse job of sizing the grind.  
It's probably worth trying each once, but don't expect the results to be particularly good.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-12-10. Score: 1

If you have to choose between those two evils, use the food processor. It is made for reducing solid food to crumbs. A blender is something entirely else - it is meant for turning mushy food into a uniform liquid. While you can try throwing dry food into a blender, you 1) get a worse result, and 2) risk damaging the blender.

I will also note that neither of them is the right tool for the job. If you try the food processor and the results are bad, that's not because the blender would have been better, it's because to get it done well, you need a grinder.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-12-10. Score: 0

You can't beat a burr grinder as they produce consistent sized grinds.

But, if you're trying to produce the best cup of coffee with either a food processor or a blender. Post processing the grinds would probably be your best bet to avoid an inconsistent coffee grind size with an in uneven flavor extraction.

With no experience using the food processor or blender as a coffee grinder I'd choose the blender as a blender is going to stir and chop resulting in more even grind size. (based on the blade slightly slanted orientation in a coffee grinder. is no slant on a food processor)


---

