Blender vs Grinder[ A Better Understanding!]

Have you ever wondered if you can use your blender to grind your coffee beans for a refreshing cup? Technically, you can, but grinders are the best option for your premium-sourced beans. What then is the main difference between a blender and a grinder when they perform similar functions?

A blender is a multifunctional kitchen equipment that performs various functions such as mixing, grinding, and pureeing. Whereas, a grinder grinds and powders the food. Such as grinding your coffee beans or dry spices or various grains to get flour.

In this article, we aim to look at the differences between a blender vs a grinder as well as various types of blenders and grinders that are available and a few common questions related to them that might pique your interest!

Difference between a blender vs grinder

Let’s look at some of the differences between a blender and a grinder.

Parameters	Blenders	Grinders
Performance	Blenders can perform various functions such as mixing, grinding, blending, and pureeing	Grinders are specifically designed for grinding food ingredients to make them into powder.
Found in	They are very commonly found in households.	They are not commonly found in most homes.
Usability	They are used for making soups, smoothies, cremes, cake batter, pureeing vegetables, etc.	They grind dry spices, coffee beans, nuts, and grains.
Types	There are two types of blenders: Countertop and Immersion.	There are two types of grinders: Wet and dry.
Versatility	Blenders are more versatile.	Grinders are meant to perform the task of grinding.

Different Types of Grinders:

1. Electric Grinders
2. Manual Grinders

Electric Grinders: Electric grinders are easy to use with the push of a button. Also, they can be easily installed anywhere. They are the most commonly found types of grinders in households today for their grinding needs.

Types of Electric Grinders:

1. Wet Grinder
2. Dry Grinder

Wet Grinders: They are mainly used to easily make liquid and semi-liquid batters of soaked grains and lentils. Wet grinders are popular in Asian cuisine for their culinary uses of pastes made out of lentils and grains. Unlike dry grinders, they do not generate too much heat. Wet grinders are more efficient than dry grinders.

Dry Grinders: They are mostly used for grinding food ingredients with very less moisture content. Such as coffee, grains, etc. They heat up faster than wet grinders. Also, they are the best options available for processes that require dry grinding.

Types of Manual Grinders:

1. Ratchet grinder
2. Mill type grinder
3. Mortar and Pestle

Ratchet Grinder: It is mainly a handheld grinder with a ratchet and ceramic stone used for grinding. The ceramic stone helps to prevent the stone from corroding while using spices such as salt, pepper, and other spices. They generally use a back-and-forth motion or a twist style for grinding. One very common example is a pepper mill.

Mill-type Grinder: A mill-type grinder is an equipment mounted on a tabletop or a platform for ease of use. They are energy efficient and are widely popular in homes as they allow you to grind a small batch at a time to grind. A few examples would be manual coffee grinders, spice grinders, and grain mills.

Suggested Reading: 12 Things to use if you don’t have a blender? [Easy tips and Tricks!]

Mortar and Pestle: This is one of the oldest grinding equipment and is still used today. It can be found in most homes. It involves a vessel that holds the food ingredients which is beaten with a heavy handheld device. The process of pounding the ingredients in the vessel crushes and finally turns it into a powder. Manual grinders such as this are very good in preserving the essential oils for spices and nuts. Their ease of use makes them highly popular.

Different Types of Blenders:

1. Immersion Blender
2. Tabletop Blender

Immersion Blenders: Immersion blenders are handheld motorized blenders. They can be carried anywhere and are easy to use. They don’t have a jar and need a separate mixing bowl to be used. Immersion blenders are also commonly known as stick blenders.

Tabletop Blenders: Tabletop blenders, as the name suggests, are meant to be used on tabletops, countertops, or kitchen platforms. They have heavy-duty motors and large bodies. therefore, are not easy to carry around. However, they have jars that can be easily placed on the motor and removed for cleaning or carrying around.

Suggested Reading: Difference between Blender and mixer? Full Guide!

Can a grinder be used as a blender?

A grinder can be used as a blender. But you should not. As blending requires the use of water or liquids which may end up completely ruining your grinder. Grinders are mainly used for making dry food ingredients into powder. Therefore, it is not advisable to use a grinder as a blender.

There are many varieties of blenders available today. A mixer grinder is a better option for your mixing as well as blending needs. This kitchen equipment allows grinding and mixing in the same jar at once. It would be a better choice instead just using a grinder.

Can I use a blender to grind spices?

You can use blenders to grind spices. Many blenders do a good job at grinding spices just like a coffee grinder or a spice grinder.

Some blenders which are good at grinding spices are:

1. Nutribullet – It comes with a milling blade and is easy to use. Also, a 600 W powered motor does a great job at powdering your spices.
2. Vitamix E310 – A professional grinder that does the job of blending and grinding. It can also be great for performing other variety of tasks. It is sturdy and affordable, unlike many other professional blenders.
3. Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind – Although a coffee grinder it is worth a mention if you are looking to grind spices, as it is capable of grinding pretty much all the spices.

Suggested Reading: difference between a blender and a smoothie maker

Can the blender replace the coffee grinder?

A blender can not replace a coffee grinder. Maybe a one-time use might give you a good enough result to arrive at this thought. However, you must know that grinders and blenders aren’t made to perform the same tasks thus doing so will not keep up with the results for a longer duration in time. Also, it will spoil your blender very soon.

If you are tempted by this idea and do not want to invest in too many types of kitchen equipment then a professional blender will be a suggested choice. As they are durable and can perform all take efficiently. But, this does come at a price as they are priced higher than regular blenders.