There are so many things you can do with a NutriBullet. Yet, many people still question what can be put into this mini blender. One question that frequently comes to people’s minds is, “Can you grind coffee beans in a NutriBullet?”
The quick answer is: Yes, as long as you have the right blade. “What’s the right blade?” you might ask. Let’s jump right in and get to know all about this handy kitchen tool.
What Sets the NutriBullet Apart From Other Blenders
The NutriBullet can provide drinks that are more nutritious and beneficial than traditional blenders and juicers. How? By pulverizing all types of food much more than a normal blender ever can.
The original 600-watt NutriBullet rotates at a speedy 20,000 rpm. The powerful motor pulverizes and liquefies everything that comes in contact with its blades.
The magic of the Nutribullet is in how it breaks up the cell walls on your food. This frees up all the good-for-you minerals that we wouldn’t be able to get otherwise. The manufacturers wanted to make use of all that yummy goodness. So they came up with the NutriBullet, or the ‘superfood nutrition extractor,’ as they like to call it.
Best of all, the NutriBullet is compact, portable, and easy to use. The basic models don’t feature variable speeds as you’d find in traditional blenders. You operate them using pulse controls. All you have to do is lock in the cup and twist.
Can You Grind Coffee Beans in a NutriBullet?
Yes, you can grind whole coffee beans in the NutriBullet. To do that, you’ll need to remove the extractor blade (the one with four prongs) and replace it with the milling blade (the one with two prongs).
Author Note: There are several reasons why a milling blade is better at grinding coffee. One, it only has two super sharp prongs. Because they’re thinner than the extractor blade, coffee beans won’t get stuck between them quite as often.
With the milling blade installed, fill the cup with beans until just below the ‘max’ line. Finally, twist the cup and watch it start to grind away.
To get an even grind, make sure to ‘pulse’, or run the NutriBullet for a second before turning it off. Repeat a couple of times until you reach your desired grind consistency.
Finally, store your coffee grounds in an airtight, opaque container, preferably in a dark and cool corner of your pantry to preserve its freshness for as long as possible. If you can, grind your coffee beans fresh right before you brew for best results. With all the extra surface area, coffee grounds can oxidize and go stale quite quickly.
Coarse Grind
If you use a percolator or a French press, your grinds should be coarse with a similar consistency to sea salt. To achieve this, fill the cup almost three-quarters full, and give the Nutribullet two or three pulses.
Medium Grind
A medium grind is best used with flat-bottomed drip coffee makers and siphon brewers. This type of grind is the common standard for pre-ground store-bought coffee.
Put enough coffee beans to fill three-quarters of the cup, then pulse about five times in one-second bursts. You want the coffee beans to end up the same size as regular beach sand. Although it’ll be finer than a coarse grind, you should still see individual particles.
Fine Grind
Another common type of grind you’ll find in stores, fine coffee is usually reserved for making espresso, with or without a machine. To get this consistency, you’ll need to run the Nutribullet in 10-second intervals for about a minute or two. This would also work well for espresso from a moka pot type brewer.
In between those intervals, remove the cup from the base and give it a little shake. Make sure the lid is tightly closed.
When you do this, you’ll notice that the big particles move down towards the blade, allowing the finer ones to take their place at the top.
Extra-Fine Grind
This type of coffee grind is also called ‘Turkish coffee grind’ because it’s reserved mainly for making Turkish coffee in an ibrik or cezve. It has the consistency of flour or powdered sugar.
For your whole coffee beans to reach this texture, you have to run the NutriBullet for more than two minutes, at 10 to 15-second intervals. As with fine-ground coffee, you’ll need to remove the cup and shake it a bit to ensure the grounds are evenly distributed.
Which NutriBullet Models Are the Best Coffee Grinders?
The NutriBullet is all about compactness and single servings that can hold up to 600 ml of liquid. Featuring a uniquely-designed cap, you can take the jug with you on-the-go. It’s easy to carry, won’t spill, and looks fashionably trendy. What’s not to like?
Author Note: However, the manufacturers at NutriBullet decided to improve on perfection. They recently started making pitchers that are larger in capacity. These bigger models can hold up to 1.3 liters of liquid at a time.
Let’s talk about some of the best models for grinding coffee. Bear in mind that some of them don’t come with milling blades. You’ll need to purchase one separately.
NutriBullet 600
The NutriBullet 600 is the original model. It’s a standalone single-serve unit with a 600-watt motor. The 24-ounce cup is made from BPA-free plastic, which is both durable and safe to use.
The 600 comes with only the standard extractor blade that can do just about anything. A few people have tried using it to grind their coffee, but it doesn’t do a very good job. It may also burn out the motor. That’s why it’s recommended that you use a milling blade instead to help protect the unit’s integrity.
It’s worth mentioning that the NutriBullet 600 can come in a 12-piece set, including a milling blade and other additional accessories. It is a bit more costly but the accessories can come in handy.
NutriBullet Pro 900
The NutriBullet Pro is quite similar to the 600. One difference is that it features a slightly more powerful motor that operates at 900 watts with a speed of 25,000 rpm.
Another difference is that the cup has a maximum capacity of 32 ounces, which is a bit bigger than the 600. Other than that, it pretty much offers the same liquifying power that can turn solid fruits into delicious smoothies.
They’re also quite similar in their ability to grind whole coffee beans. Simply attach the milling blade, which is sold separately, and you’re good to go.
NutriBullet Pro Plus 1200
The NutriBullet Pro Plus is fast and powerful. It features a 32-ounce cap and a 1200-watt motor that pulverizes and liquefies the toughest foods, such as turmeric roots, kale, and whole coffee beans.
Like the previous models, it only comes with the standard NutriBullet extractor blade that finely chops and dices until everything turns into a thick liquid. However, it’s not cut out for grinding coffee beans. You’ll have to buy a milling blade on its own. Only then will you be able to grind your coffee at home to your heart’s content.
NutriBullet Blender Combo
NutriBullet Blender Combo 1000 and 1200 are two examples of the newest models that feature full-sized pitchers. The 1000 model has a maximum capacity of 32 ounces, while the 1200 model has 64 ounces.
They also come with two exclusive NutriBullet cups. Simply pour the amount you want into your single-serve cup and take it with you anywhere to go.
That’s all fine and dandy, but can they grind coffee? Yes, they can! Having more powerful motors means the grinding process will only be easier and a whole lot faster.
You should know that neither the 1000 nor the 1200 models come with a milling blade. The good news is that the 1200 model has five settings to choose from: extract, low, medium, high, and pulse.
How to Clean a NutriBullet?
Nothing beats the simplicity of cleaning a NutriBullet. This is important, especially when you’re using your NutriBullet to grind coffee.
Coffee is known to absorb residual odors that can affect its taste and aroma. Some people use it as a deodorizer around their homes and even in the fridge. It’s a safe and natural alternative to baking soda.
Author Note: Giving your Nutribullet a good wash before and after the grinding process can neutralize the smell. Plus, it’ll ensure that your coffee isn’t affected by whatever was in the Nutribullet before.
To clean your Nutribullet, start by removing the cup from the base. The cup itself can be washed by hand. You can also place it on the top shelf of the dishwasher.
If there are difficult-to-remove stains on the cup, fill it with warm, soapy water. Leave it to soak for several minutes before washing it again.
The base is where the motor is situated, so it must only be washed by hand. Use a damp cloth to wipe it clean. Just remember to go slowly when wiping around the blades to avoid getting hurt.
Conclusion
So, can you grind coffee beans in a NutriBullet? Yes, you definitely can!
All you have to do is attach the milling blade and put in some whole beans. Then, pulse away until you reach your preferred grind consistency. Easy as pie.
Stay caffeinated friends!