carroll-astana
Well-known member
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Can I use a coffee grinder to make powder sugar n ground cloves? Tks
- Thread starter carroll-astana
- Start date
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
I don't see why not. I use one to grind Indian spices such as peppercorns, cloves,
cardamom, and broken up pieces of cinnamon sticks. Just make sure the pieces are small and don't put any form of liquid in the grinder.
cardamom, and broken up pieces of cinnamon sticks. Just make sure the pieces are small and don't put any form of liquid in the grinder.
carroll, another view...
Grinding whole cloves in a coffee grinder, or even in a food processor, so dulls the blade that it's just not worth it. The cost of blade sharpening, or even replacement, far outweighs the cost savings over simply buying cloves in the ground form. Also, each time I buy whole cloves at my favorite herb/spice supplier (at the holidays to make pomanders of citrus fruits), they make a point of saying not to grind them at home but to let them do it with the bigger equipment they have (citing specifically how tough cloves are).
As for powdered sugar, I've tried it, and I never got the evenly powdery texture of commercially available powdered sugar. I got something closer to superfine sugar. Also, powdered sugar has a bit of cornstarch mixed in, reportedly to prevent clumping. Depending on what your use is for it, homeground might work for you, for me it didn't and I needed the even texture of the commercially made.
Grinding whole cloves in a coffee grinder, or even in a food processor, so dulls the blade that it's just not worth it. The cost of blade sharpening, or even replacement, far outweighs the cost savings over simply buying cloves in the ground form. Also, each time I buy whole cloves at my favorite herb/spice supplier (at the holidays to make pomanders of citrus fruits), they make a point of saying not to grind them at home but to let them do it with the bigger equipment they have (citing specifically how tough cloves are).
As for powdered sugar, I've tried it, and I never got the evenly powdery texture of commercially available powdered sugar. I got something closer to superfine sugar. Also, powdered sugar has a bit of cornstarch mixed in, reportedly to prevent clumping. Depending on what your use is for it, homeground might work for you, for me it didn't and I needed the even texture of the commercially made.
carroll-astana
Well-known member
Tks, I have no choice, no ground cloves and powder sugar are expensive.
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Ruth, I use a small grinder and have had no problems with cloves dulling blades. Are
you referring to the blades being dulled in a larger grinder? I can actually grind to a powder, but I see what you mean about the consistency of the powdered sugar.
http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/kitchen_appliances/beverage/coffee_grinders/80355.html
you referring to the blades being dulled in a larger grinder? I can actually grind to a powder, but I see what you mean about the consistency of the powdered sugar.
http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/kitchen_appliances/beverage/coffee_grinders/80355.html
One more thought...
Rather than grinding the cloves you might consider infusing the clove flavor into your recipe. For instance if you're using butter/shortening, it can be melted with whole cloves, and allowed to sit (hours or overnight) and the whole cloves strained/removed before proceeding with your recipe. If it's a liquid (like milk), a few whole cloves soaking (again, how long depending on how strong you need it), may give you the flavor without risking your equipment blades?
Good luck,
R.
Rather than grinding the cloves you might consider infusing the clove flavor into your recipe. For instance if you're using butter/shortening, it can be melted with whole cloves, and allowed to sit (hours or overnight) and the whole cloves strained/removed before proceeding with your recipe. If it's a liquid (like milk), a few whole cloves soaking (again, how long depending on how strong you need it), may give you the flavor without risking your equipment blades?
Good luck,
R.
Sandy...
Good, I'm glad it worked for you, it didn't work for us though! My mother dulled one brand new coffee bean grinder (this was several years ago and I don't recall the brand but they're Not all equal) and when she tried one of the food processors the blade for it had to be replaced (I recall it being somewhere around $15). Again, the herb/spice vendor I use here in San Francisco said let them do it, and I'm happy to. Same thing happens with some of the harder roots, especially something like orris.
R.
Good, I'm glad it worked for you, it didn't work for us though! My mother dulled one brand new coffee bean grinder (this was several years ago and I don't recall the brand but they're Not all equal) and when she tried one of the food processors the blade for it had to be replaced (I recall it being somewhere around $15). Again, the herb/spice vendor I use here in San Francisco said let them do it, and I'm happy to. Same thing happens with some of the harder roots, especially something like orris.
R.