How to sharpen coffee grinder blades: Easy Maintenance Tips
Coffee grinder blades are made of metal and over time they can get dull and in this article we'll discuss how to sharpen coffee grinder blades with ease. This happens because the blade is used to grind coffee beans, which have a hard outer shell that breaks down after multiple uses.
If you don't replace your coffee grinder blades when they become dull, this will cause your grounds to be inconsistent in size and texture. You might notice that some grounds are so fine that it feels like flour or powder!Â
There are many ways to sharpen your coffee grinder blades without having to replace them altogether! In this article we take a look at some easy ways to due some maintenance on your coffee grinder blades without breaking the bank.
Let's dive right in!
How To Sharpen Coffee Grinder Blades
Sharpening coffee grinder blades may come across as a difficult task to some, but it is actually quite easy!Â
You won't need expensive tools to sharpen coffee grinder blades, just a small amount of elbow grease and you'll be right on your way to rejuvenating your coffee grinder blades!
The first step is determining how dull your coffee grinding blades are. You can do this by running a finger or two along the blade's edge ... If it feels rough against your fingers , then your coffee grinder blades are starting to lose their edge!
That's when it is time to sharpen them, all you need is;
- Uncooked Rice, at least 1 cup
- A small brush or compressed air
- Dry and Wet cloths for wiping and cleaning
Step 1: Your Grinder Requires a Pre-Clean Before You Start
Firstly you want to ensure that your coffee grinder is free of debris , like coffee grounds and any other particles that may be stuck on the blades of your coffee grinder. You can do this by using a brush or some compressed air to clean out the inside of the coffee grinder
We prefer using a small brush because you're able to clean the blades more thoroughly compared to a can of compressed air
If you don't clean the coffee grinder before sharpening your blades, you'll have a hard time trying to get off all of residue that has accumulated over time. Be sure to remove any small pieces of metal or grounds stuck on the surface of the blade too!
Step 2: Use some Uncooked Rice and Grind Away
Next you want to put a reasonable amount of uncooked rice in the coffee grinder and grind away until you've produced a fine powder. You'd want to grind for at least one minute , if not more, to give your blades enough time to sharpen and clean the surface of the blade.
If you don't want to use rice, you could alternatively use some coarse salt, or even grinding pallets. Grinding pallets work just as well as uncooked rice, but it won't end up costing you as much!
Step 3: Remove the Rice and Clean the Grinder
Finally you want to ensure that the power is off at the outlet, unplug the grinder so that you remove the rice and begin to clean out the grinder. You may use a brush, or some compressed air again to get rid of all remnants and dust from the inside of your coffee grinder.
Then once it's all clean and tidy you want to finish off by testing how sharp the blades have become. If they are not that sharp, repeat the process until the desired results are attained.
Signs Of A Dull Coffee Blade
There are several reasons your coffee grinder blades might be dulling. One of the main reasons is how much you grind at one time, how often you use it and how long you've had it. These factors all contribute to your blades going blunt .
If there's a change in flavor or tasting notes in your coffee, that may also be a sign that it is time to sharpen your coffee grinder blades .
Let's explore some common reasons that come up when blades are experiencing dullness.
Touch the Blade Edges
In an empty grinder, one without grounds or beans, run your fingers across the blade's edges . A dull blade will feel rougher than a sharper one, if it feels like there are still tiny particles embedded along its edge, then your blades are starting to lose their edge!
Feel how coarse the texture is of the coffee grinds you're producing. If there's a significant difference in how they used to be compared to how they are now, that may be an indication your blades are starting to dull .
The fineness of the Grounds Change
In general coffee grinders tend to produce fine grounds, the finer the grinds are, the more surface area they have to get extracted during your brew. If you start to notice that you need  to produce coarser grounds in order to use a normal amount of coffee for your brews, then there is probably something going on with how blunt your blades are getting .
Once you begin to see a more coarse inconsistent grind, then it is a sign that it is time to sharpen your coffee grinder blades .
If you have any clumps stuck on the edge of your blades or are noticing how they've gained an uneven texture to how they used to be, that may also be a sign that it is time to sharpen your coffee grinder blades .
Recommended Article: Best Hazelnut Coffee Beans
Your Grounds Become Clumpier
In unsharpened coffee grinders, your coffee grounds generally are more clumpier and not smooth . As you grind more and more, the blades in your coffee grinder become increasingly blunt, hence smooth grounds are produced.
If your coffee is producing grounds that tend to clump together, this is a good indicator that it is time for some sharpening!
Clumpy grounds result in a poor coffee brew, and often leaves your coffee tasting horrible! So, don't wait to sharpen them, look above on how to sharpen coffee grinder blades!
Inconsistency Grind Results
Lastly, one of the most obvious signs that your grinder blades have lost their sharpness is having inconsistent grind results. Perhaps in a grind there will be grounds that are too fine or coarse, this is an indicator how blunt your blades are getting .
You may want to investigate how sharp the edges of your blades have become. The best way to do this is by using rice as pointed out above!
Tips In Maintaining Your Coffee Grinder
Now that you know of the signs of dull coffee grinder blades, its time we look at some tips on how to maintain your grinder.
Some general guidance around the use of your coffee grinder can lead to a longer lasting grinder and grinding functionality.
Let's take a look at some tips below.
Stop Grinding Spices in Your Coffee Grinder
If you've been using your coffee grinder as a multi-purpose kitchen utensil, it's time to stop!
When you're using your coffee grinder to grind spices as well, you'll end up mixing the scents of the spices with how your coffee was meant to smell!
Will you be able to tell the difference? Maybe, but it will definitely ruin how your coffee is supposed to taste.
Look for Foreign Objects in Low Quality Beans
If you tend to buy low quality coffee beans you can often end up finding random objects in your coffee bag, or in how the beans were stored.
Inspect your coffee beans before you grind them, if there are any signs of damage try to find another bag!
This is especially true in how coffee is stored outside its packaging, for example the inside of a car or at room temperature out side.
Be sure that you're using your grinder properly and how it was intended to be used!
Buy Only Top Quality Coffee Beans
High quality coffee beans have been properly vetted for sale, meaning no foreign objects are found in them. Generally due to being so high in quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we've looked at some guidance on how to sharpen coffee grinder blades, you probably have some common questions that need answering.
We've looked over forums and google to find typical questions that you may have!
Let's answer them below.
What is the best grinder for coarse grounds?
Blade grinders due an amazing job at producing coarse grounds which tends to be perfect for cold brew, pour over , and Turkish coffee.
Percolators are also excellent at coarse grounds!
If you're wanting a grinder for espresso, then you need really find grounds! Blade grinders do an ok job at this, but not the best. Instead get a burr grinder or press!
Can I clean my coffee grinder without rice?
Instead of rice you can use salt or grinder pallets. While rice might be a little better, it is best to never ever use ground up coffee beans as this will clog your grinder and make a mess!
Related Article: How to Grind Coffee Beans without a Grinder
How Do I Tell If My Blades Are Getting Dull?
First, how do you tell how dull your coffee grinder blades are getting?
Your coffee grounds can act as a good indicator of how blunt your blades have become!
If your grounds are inconsistent with how fine they are, or how coarse they are. This is an indicator that there's a risk of your blade becoming very dull.
Final Thoughts on How to Sharpen Coffee Grinder Blades
We hope that you found this article helpful! If not, we’re always happy to help. Simply use uncooked rice, grounded, and then clean it with a small brush or compressed air.
It's very simple to know when your grinder blades are blunt - just rub your fingers across the blades. With these tips in mind, you'll have no problem getting years of service out of your coffee grinder!
