Whether your grinder has worn out or you just don’t have one on hand, Coffee Grinding Alternatives Tool alternatives can help. Freshly ground beans are crucial for the best cup of coffee, as they protect the natural flavors from oxidation and staleness. Luckily, it’s not as hard to grind your own beans without a coffee grinder as you might think, and many of the options available are quite simple.

Using a mortar and pestle is a technique that has been used for centuries to grind herbs, spices, and medicines into a fine powder (1). This method of grinding is labor-intensive, but it offers excellent control over a range of grinds. It’s also the best option for achieving the fine grounds required for espresso and Turkish coffee.

Exploring Coffee Grinding Alternatives: Beyond the Standard Grinder

You can also use a rolling pin to crush your coffee beans. As with the meat tenderizer, this technique requires some patience and a bit of skill, and you’ll want to be careful not to damage your countertop. But, as MasterClass notes, this can produce coarse to medium grounds that are ideal for cold brew or French press.

If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also use a mason jar or a heavy-duty plastic bag. Just be sure to seal the jar or cover it well, as it will likely produce some dust when crushed. This can be messy, but it’s another alternative that will yield coarse to medium grounds (2).