No doubt freshly ground coffee makes the best brew. However, we don’t all own coffee grinders and it’s easy to get caught out while away from home. Luckily, there are ways to make ground coffee without a specific coffee grinder.
In this article, we look at five different ways to grind coffee without a coffee grinder so you can enjoy a deliciously rich and complex brew, whatever the circumstances.
How to Grind Coffee Without A Grinder: Five Ways
If you don't have a coffee grinder or yours has decided to break, don't worry.
Here are five easy ways to grind coffee without a grinder using household items:
1. Use a Blender to Grind the Coffee
Using a blender is the best way to grind coffee if you don't have a coffee grinder. By using the “pulse” setting or pulsing the blender manually, you can grind coffee beans from a coarse grind down to medium-fine.
How to grind coffee beans with a blender:
- Add a small amount of roasted coffee beans to the blender
- Pulse on high for three to five seconds
- Repeat until the desired grind size has been achieved
2. Use a Mortar & Pestle

If you don't have a coffee grinder, using a mortar and pestle is the next best way to grind coffee for brewing a perfect espresso shot, preparing traditional Turkish coffee, or Greek coffee. This age-old spice grinder enables you to grind the coffee to a fine and extra fine grind size. Although, it does take some time and effort, and you can only grind a small amount of coffee at a time.
How to grind coffee with a mortar and pestle:
- Place a small amount of coffee beans in the mortar
- Use the pestle to crush the beans roughly
- In a circular motion, grind the roughly crushed beans to produce a finer grind size
- Continue grinding until the desired grind size is achieved
- Empty the ground coffee from the mortar, add more coffee beans, and repeat the process until you've ground enough coffee
3. Use a Rolling Pin
If you're caught out and don't have a grinder, blender, or mortar and pestle, you can use a rolling pin to grind your coffee beans. However, you'll struggle to produce anything finer than a coarse grind which is fine for French press and drip coffee but not for espresso or moka pot coffee.
To grind coffee beans with a rolling pin you should:
- Place the coffee beans in a plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment paper and cover with a kitchen cloth
- Smack the cloth with the rolling pin to roughly break up the beans
- Roll back and forth over the beans to create a coarse grind
- Remove from the bag or parchment and use the beans to make a brew
4. Use a Hammer
Using a hammer or mallet is a surprisingly effective way to grind coffee. The large, flat, heavy hammer head is perfect for quickly crushing coffee beans. It's possible to create grinds from coarse down to extra fine using a hammer. However, it can be tricky to consistently produce the same grind size.
Here's how to grind coffee with a hammer:
- Place the coffee beans between two pieces of parchment paper or inside a plastic bag and cover with a thin cloth
- Gently tap the beans with a hammer until they've all broken into smaller pieces
- Check the beans, cover with the cloth, and repeat until the desired grind size is achieved
5. Use a Knife
If you don't have a coffee grinder and are looking for a way to grind coffee with the most control, using a large chef’s knife is the way to go. Although it's difficult to produce an extra fine grind with a knife, it's possible to accurately produce a coarse, medium, and fine grind consistently.
Here's how to grind coffee with a chef's knife:
- Place a small amount of coffee beans on a wooden chopping board
- Lay the knife flat over the beans and apply pressure. This will crack the beans
- Gently chop the beans using the knife's edge, running back and forth through the chunks until the desired grind size is achieved
FAQs: Grinding Coffee Without a Grinder

Learn more about grinding coffee and the different types of coffee beans in the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
Want to discover more about coffee? Head over to the Cafely Blog.
1. Can I Use A Blender To Grind Coffee Beans?
Although a blender is not the ideal tool for grinding coffee beans, it can be used. You won't have the same control as a coffee grinder but pulsing the beans with short bursts of power will allow you to produce a coarse or fine grind.
2. Can I Use A Mortar And Pestle To Grind Coffee?
Yes. You can use a mortar and pestle to grind coffee. The grind may not be perfect or consistent but a mortar and pestle can save you if your coffee grinder has packed up. For the best results, use a small amount of coffee beans and grind in a circular motion until the required texture has been achieved.
3. Is It Possible To Grind Coffee Beans With A Rolling Pin?
A rolling pin definitely isn't ideal for grinding coffee but it can get you out of trouble if you don't have a coffee grinder, blender, or mortar and pestle. You won't be able to produce a super fine grind for espresso machines or moka pots, but you'll manage to produce a coarse grind for a French press or drip coffee maker. Simply place the beans in a clean cloth and smack and roll until the beans are ground.
4. How Long Does Ground Coffee Last?
Ground coffee doesn't last long. Although it won't “expire” as such, it will quickly lose its flavor and aroma. When stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool space, ground coffee will last for one to two weeks. When stored in the freezer, it will last for a couple of months.
5. Should I Store Coffee Beans Whole or Ground?
Coffee beans keep much better when stored whole. Whole beans retain their freshness and flavor for longer because less surface area is exposed to air. When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, whole beans can last for up to three months.
6. How Do I Know If My Coffee Is Ground Enough?
Whether your coffee is “ground enough” depends on the brewing method. Pressurized brewing methods such as espresso require a fine grind — a texture similar to table salt. Arabica coffees such as Turkish coffee require an extra fine grind — a texture almost as fine as talcum powder. Steeped brewing methods and pour-over brews require a coarse grind — similar to the texture of sea salt.
7. What Grind Size for Espresso?

Espresso coffee requires a fine grind. The coffee should have a similar consistency to table salt or fine sand.
8. What’s the Difference Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee?
Coffee arabica and robusta are both types of coffee beans. Arabica beans produce a sweet, smooth brew with a mild bitterness. Robusta beans produce a dark, rich brew with a strong bitterness. Blends combine the characteristics of both beans, creating a sweet, smooth coffee with a dark, nutty, bitter edge.
9. How Much Caffeine is in a Cup of Coffee?
The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee varies depending on the brewing method used, the type of bean, the coffee-to-water ratio, and the extraction time. A regular cup of drip coffee contains between 70 and 150 mg. An espresso contains around 75 mg of caffeine per 30 mL shot. Instant coffee contains between 30 and 90 mg of caffeine per cup.
10. Can Dogs Have Coffee?
No. Coffee is poisonous to dogs. If your dog has drunk coffee or consumed coffee grounds, take them to a vet immediately. Even ingesting a small amount of strong coffee or grounds can be fatal if left untreated.