We have to admit that spice grinders are pretty basic in their design and execution, but that doesn’t mean that they are basic devices. These grinders can be used for more than just grinding spices and can be used for a variety of different projects. That’s why we’ve decided to write this article. We wanted to not only help our readers find the best spice grinders for their needs but also tell them the other uses for these grinders as well. With all of that said, let’s jump right into this article and start with what our readers should think about when choosing the best spice grinder for their household.
Choosing The Best Spice Grinder
Let’s kick off our discussion on spice grinders with a look at what consumers should look for when choosing a new spice grinder. Let’s go through a few tips before looking at what other things grinders can be used for—other than grinding spices.
Tip One: Choose Between Manual Or Electric Models
One of the first things that consumers should do is choose between manual or electric spice grinders. Both of these grinders work well, but there are some significant differences between them. For example, electric grinders are easier to use, but manual grinders tend to provide the best spice grinding. Of course, how well the grinder works also depends a lot on the type of blades that are equipped on the grinder. We’ll take a look at the blades found on spice grinders, next.
Tip Two: Consider The Spice Grinder Blades
The next thing the consumer is going to want to do is to consider the blades on the spice grinder. When it comes to these types of grinders, the consumer generally has two choices when it comes to grinder blades: conical burr blades and flat blades. As a general rule, conical burr blades do the best job of grinding spices, and flat blades are usually found on cheaper spice grinders.
Tip Three: Consider Capacity
If the consumer is going to use the grinder for grinding spices, then they will probably only need a smaller model. However, if the consumer decides that they’re going to use the grinder to grind coffee or other things, then the consumer is going to want to think about perhaps purchasing a larger grinder.
Tip Four: Consider Other Features
Before concluding this section on choosing spice grinders, we’d like to talk about a few other features that the consumer might want to consider before buying a new one. We don’t have the space to go into each point in detail, but we would like our readers to keep the features at the forefront of their minds when they purchase their next grinder.
- Transparent Lid
- One-Button Grind Feature
- Built-In Power Cord Storage
- The Price Of The Grinder
What Other Things Can Spice Grinders Be Used For?
One of the most frequently asked questions about spice grinders that we receive is what other things they can be used for. Fortunately, we have the answer to that question and can give it to all of our readers. The following uses prove that spice grinders are a kitchen tool that everyone should have—regardless of whether they grind their own spices or bought pre-ground store-bought spices.
Grinding Sea Salt
One trend that’s been on the uptick the last few years is people buying course sea or pink salt in bulk and then mixing it in their spice grinder with herbs and/or spices. This is a great way to create a seasoning salt that can be used for adding flavor to the meat.
Grinding Flaxseeds
More and more people are adding flax seeds to their diet. And why not? These seeds are filled with a ton of nutrients. They’re high in fiber, Omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. The problem with adding them to oatmeal or cereal, however, is that they can be tough to chew. Fortunately, they can be ground up in a spice grinder and then added to food.
Grinding Rice
Another use for spice grinders is to use it to grind rice. Why grind rice? Well, rice is ground so that it can be turned into rice flour. Rice flour is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour that more and more people are enjoying. Of course, you can always purchase a grain mill to grind rice, but those tend to be a lot more expensive.
Grinding Poppy Seeds
A lot of people are beginning to grind up poppy seeds to add a little bit of that nutty flavor to dishes. Although poppy seeds can be a little tricky to grind thanks to their small size, a quality spice grinder should accomplish the job pretty easily.
Grinding Dried Insects
While dried insects might not be on everyone’s menu, quite a few people are finding that adding ground insects to their dishes adds protein without increasing the dish’s calorie count. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but for people who want to try it out, a good spice grinder works quite well for this purpose.