<p>(Note: With a general perspective, you may classify coffee as a spice.)</p>

<p>I imagine you mention the hand grinders. In that case, the main difference is the size of the canals of the grinders. E.g. in a black pepper grinder, the average diameter of the canals are a bit wider than the average diameter of black peppers.</p>

<p>However, this diameter is far narrower for coffee beans. So, you cannot grind coffee in a pepper grinder effectively as the beans cannot fit in the canals.</p>

<p>Summary: proper grinder for proper spice.</p>

<hr>

<p>After Burhan added the image, I think I should make an edition to this answer.</p>

<p>This grinders are called blade grinders. The main disadvantage of these is the grounds are not homogenously grinded after the process. As the blades randomly cut the beans, some of them may stay intact on the sides.</p>

<p>Burr grinders doesn't have this possibility. All grinded pieces have a maximum volume after the process.</p>

<p>Otherwise, I can't think of a difference. However, you shouldn't use the same grinder for both. You don't want the aroma of your coffee to be mixed with spices and herbs. :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-16T12:23:48.327Z
You are right about the aroma part (didn't think about that to be honest). Thanks for the update.
Burhan Khalid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-13T13:19:28.147Z
2016-03-16T09:45:08.147Z
2016-03-16T09:45:08.147Z
MTSan
<p>I think you should get a dedicated coffee grinder. The people who make manual grinders / electronic grinders make it for this purpose. Or else you can have an inconsistent grind.</p>

<p>Plus it's a lot easier to change the type of grind setting on a coffee grinder. If you feel like a french press grind, and you feel that your grind is too fine, just change the setting to your liking. </p>

<p>That way you can experiment with different grinds. I heard different grinds affects the taste of the coffee. Like too fine of grounds going into your french press. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-18T04:17:07.697Z
2016-03-18T04:17:07.697Z
LifeBeyondTheClouds
<p>What is the difference between a typical spice grinder and a specialized coffee grinder?</p>

<p>Is there something that specifically affects the quality of the coffee?</p>

<p>To clarify further, I am talking about the electric grinders with a blade, something like this:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/tOl9q.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/tOl9q.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<ground-coffee><equipment><grinder>
Coffee Grinder vs. Spice Grinder - What's the difference?
Burhan Khalid
# Coffee Grinder vs. Spice Grinder - What's the difference?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-13)

What is the difference between a typical spice grinder and a specialized coffee grinder?

Is there something that specifically affects the quality of the coffee?

To clarify further, I am talking about the electric grinders with a blade, something like this:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/tOl9q.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/tOl9q.jpg)

**Tags:** ground-coffee, equipment, grinder


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-03-13. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

(Note: With a general perspective, you may classify coffee as a spice.)

I imagine you mention the hand grinders. In that case, the main difference is the size of the canals of the grinders. E.g. in a black pepper grinder, the average diameter of the canals are a bit wider than the average diameter of black peppers.

However, this diameter is far narrower for coffee beans. So, you cannot grind coffee in a pepper grinder effectively as the beans cannot fit in the canals.

Summary: proper grinder for proper spice.

---

After Burhan added the image, I think I should make an edition to this answer.

This grinders are called blade grinders. The main disadvantage of these is the grounds are not homogenously grinded after the process. As the blades randomly cut the beans, some of them may stay intact on the sides.

Burr grinders doesn't have this possibility. All grinded pieces have a maximum volume after the process.

Otherwise, I can't think of a difference. However, you shouldn't use the same grinder for both. You don't want the aroma of your coffee to be mixed with spices and herbs. :)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: You are right about the aroma part (didn't think about that to be honest). Thanks for the update.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-03-18. Score: 0

I think you should get a dedicated coffee grinder. The people who make manual grinders / electronic grinders make it for this purpose. Or else you can have an inconsistent grind.

Plus it's a lot easier to change the type of grind setting on a coffee grinder. If you feel like a french press grind, and you feel that your grind is too fine, just change the setting to your liking.

That way you can experiment with different grinds. I heard different grinds affects the taste of the coffee. Like too fine of grounds going into your french press.


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