Thread: Reccomend Seeds Grinder?

"JeanineAlyse" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I know nothing about grinders
> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any
> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? Thanks, Picky
> http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/...ank-grain-mill

I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target and
it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.

Jinx

On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:18:23 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:

> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target and
> it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.

I use that, and for smaller quantities a small mortar and pestle.
The grinder can produce a lot of powder when you may want a coarse
grind. In that case I shake the grinder up and down as I spin it.
Just a light touch on the button.


-sw

Jinx wrote on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:18:23 -0500:


> "JeanineAlyse" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I
>> am curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
>> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common
>> wee seeds, as well as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I
>> know nothing about grinders and certainly have infrequent
>> need, so my first look for one comes from KAF where I will be
>> ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any recommendations
>> for a beginner from y'all? Thanks,
>> Picky http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hand-crank-gr
>> ain-mill

> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target
> and it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.

That should probably work very well. I use a Cuisenart coffee grinder
that I bought for just about $20, 15 years ago. It is quite easy to wipe
out with a damp paper towel if necessary.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

"James Silverton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:i1odrm$gq6$[email protected]..
> Jinx wrote on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:18:23 -0500:
>
>
>> "JeanineAlyse" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I
>>> am curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
>>> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common
>>> wee seeds, as well as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I
>>> know nothing about grinders and certainly have infrequent
>>> need, so my first look for one comes from KAF where I will be
>>> ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any recommendations
>>> for a beginner from y'all? Thanks,
>>> Picky http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hand-crank-gr
>>> ain-mill
>
>> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target and
>> it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.
>
> That should probably work very well. I use a Cuisenart coffee grinder that
> I bought for just about $20, 15 years ago. It is quite easy to wipe out
> with a damp paper towel if necessary.
>
> --
>
> James Silverton
> Potomac, Maryland
>
> Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

This is actually my second no-name cheapie in the past 20 years. The first
one only met its demise because I dropped it on the floor and the plastic
housing cracked. Still worked, it just blew powder when I used it. I even
use it for pulverizing nuts to use as curry thickener. Works so good I've
never felt the need to go buy something more expensive.

Jinx

"Sqwertz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gzanivjmge9q$.[email protected]..
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:18:23 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:
>
>> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target and
>> it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.
>
> I use that, and for smaller quantities a small mortar and pestle.
> The grinder can produce a lot of powder when you may want a coarse
> grind. In that case I shake the grinder up and down as I spin it.
> Just a light touch on the button.
>
>
> -sw

Coarser grind stuff I use either a manual pepper grinder or my good ol'
rolling pin and a ziploc bag. I actually don't own a mortar and pestle
(embarrassing enough to admit in a cooking group). I remember an incident
many, many years ago trying to crush whole fenugreek seeds efficiently --
that's all it took to convince me to go electric.

Jinx

On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:22:52 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:

> Coarser grind stuff I use either a manual pepper grinder or my good ol'
> rolling pin and a ziploc bag. I actually don't own a mortar and pestle
> (embarrassing enough to admit in a cooking group). I remember an incident
> many, many years ago trying to crush whole fenugreek seeds efficiently --
> that's all it took to convince me to go electric.

Fenugreek and caraway are two things I've found that do not crush
in the small [spice version] mortar and pestle.

-sw

On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:18:41 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:

> This is actually my second no-name cheapie in the past 20 years. The first
> one only met its demise because I dropped it on the floor and the plastic
> housing cracked. Still worked, it just blew powder when I used it. I even
> use it for pulverizing nuts to use as curry thickener. Works so good I've
> never felt the need to go buy something more expensive.

There's a new style out who's grinding chamber lifts off the
motor. That includes the blade assembly.

The problem with my current style is that the blade is
permanently attached to the motor. And oily spices (and I would
certainly suspect nuts) get in there and can gum it up. When this
one goes, I going to look for the above - that has the fitted
gear/blade mechanism.

-sw

"Sqwertz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:17vcy08b5cls6$.[email protected]..
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:18:41 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:
>
>> This is actually my second no-name cheapie in the past 20 years. The
>> first
>> one only met its demise because I dropped it on the floor and the plastic
>> housing cracked. Still worked, it just blew powder when I used it. I
>> even
>> use it for pulverizing nuts to use as curry thickener. Works so good
>> I've
>> never felt the need to go buy something more expensive.
>
> There's a new style out who's grinding chamber lifts off the
> motor. That includes the blade assembly.
>
> The problem with my current style is that the blade is
> permanently attached to the motor. And oily spices (and I would
> certainly suspect nuts) get in there and can gum it up. When this
> one goes, I going to look for the above - that has the fitted
> gear/blade mechanism.
>
> -sw

Yeah, it can get a little gooey in there when I do the nuts, but usually if
I let it dry out and go after it with a stiff brush it cleans up fine. When
this one dies, I might consider upgrading if only to get a slightly bigger
chamber. At the moment, it's my second most used small kitchen appliance --
second only to the crockpot.

Jinx

"Sqwertz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:22:52 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:
>
>> Coarser grind stuff I use either a manual pepper grinder or my good ol'
>> rolling pin and a ziploc bag. I actually don't own a mortar and pestle
>> (embarrassing enough to admit in a cooking group). I remember an
>> incident
>> many, many years ago trying to crush whole fenugreek seeds efficiently --
>> that's all it took to convince me to go electric.
>
> Fenugreek and caraway are two things I've found that do not crush
> in the small [spice version] mortar and pestle.
>
> -sw

I learned that the hard way. Here I was, early 20's, not too sophisticated
of a cook but definitely experimental. I was trying out an Ethiopian
recipe, first time ever using whole fenugreek. My attempt to crush those
suckers was so laughable it definitely stands out as one of my most
embarrassing kitchen moments ever(even if no one saw it but me).

Jinx

Jinx wrote on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:22:52 -0500:


> "Sqwertz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:gzanivjmge9q$.[email protected]..
>> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:18:23 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:
>>
>>> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought
>>> at Target and it's worked excellently for grinding all my
>>> spices and seeds.
>>
>> I use that, and for smaller quantities a small mortar and
>> pestle. The grinder can produce a lot of powder when you may want a
>> coarse grind. In that case I shake the grinder up and
>> down as I spin it. Just a light touch on the button.
>>
>> -sw

> Coarser grind stuff I use either a manual pepper grinder or my
> good ol' rolling pin and a ziploc bag. I actually don't own a
> mortar and pestle (embarrassing enough to admit in a cooking
> group). I remember an incident many, many years ago trying to
> crush whole fenugreek seeds efficiently -- that's all it took
> to convince me to go electric.

t just occurred to me to ask but what do you use crushed fenugreek seeds
for? I've always used them whole after roasting in a small pan but I'll
bet they'd crush better after roasting. Cumin seeds are very like
caraway seeds and I mostly roast and grind those before using.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On 7/15/2010 7:49 PM, JeanineAlyse wrote:
> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I know nothing about grinders
> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any
> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? Thanks, Picky
> http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/...ank-grain-mill

Do you have a whirligig coffee grinder such as
<http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=10151112>? If not
that's the thing to start with for small quantities of spices and
whatnot. The mill you're looking at is intended to turn grain into
flour for making bread--if that's what you want it's a decent one but I
can't see where you'd need it to make sesame flax crackers and unless
you're planning steak au poivre for an army it's gross overkill for
peppercorns.

But if you're looking to grind the flax seeds for crackers you might
want to save yourself the effort--the local Shoprite has three brands of
ground flaxseed in stock, starting at $2.29 for 12 ounces.

On Jul 15, 4:49*pm, JeanineAlyse <Picky...@msn.com> wrote:
> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
> grinder. *Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. *I know nothing about grinders
> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. *Any
> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? *Thanks, Pickyhttp://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hand-crank-grain-mill

Looks like everyone has already recommended a common electric coffee
grinder. I have one that I use
EXCLUSIVELY for spices and seeds. Don't use a coffee grinder that
you use for coffee for your seeds...not a good idea because of flavor
contamination.

You can buy expensive or inexpensive ......I have a fairly inexpensive
one I've had for years and it continues to do a great job. just be
sure you clean it after you use it so you don't cross contaminate your
seeds with some kind of spice flavor you might not want.

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:00:35 -0500, Jinx Minx wrote:

> I learned that the hard way. Here I was, early 20's, not too sophisticated
> of a cook but definitely experimental. I was trying out an Ethiopian
> recipe, first time ever using whole fenugreek. My attempt to crush those
> suckers was so laughable it definitely stands out as one of my most
> embarrassing kitchen moments ever(even if no one saw it but me).

1. Trying to rehydrate dried squid
2. Using the cheese grater upside down for 4-5 minutes
3. Trying to use a hot air popcorn popper outside in the winter

Hmm. That's not too bad. I've been blessed with smarts.

-sw

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:22:10 -0400, James Silverton wrote:

> t just occurred to me to ask but what do you use crushed fenugreek seeds
> for? I've always used them whole after roasting in a small pan but I'll
> bet they'd crush better after roasting. Cumin seeds are very like
> caraway seeds and I mostly roast and grind those before using.

If you used them whole you'd have to fish them, out of the dish
before eating. They're hard as rocks.

-sw

On Jul 15, 9:37*pm, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost> wrote:
> There's a new style out who's grinding chamber lifts off the
> motor. *That includes the blade assembly.
> The problem with *my current style is that the blade is
> permanently attached to the motor. *And oily spices (and I would
> certainly suspect nuts) get in there and can gum it up. *When this
> one goes, I going to look for the above - that has the fitted
> gear/blade mechanism.
-sw, just what would be the best search-wording to find what you've
described? I would like to read about/see what I am to look for next
week. As J.Clark mentions, it's doubrful I will ever need something
as expensive/grand as the KAF link gives one, and most all here advise
to go with the simple coffee bean grinder. I so appreciate all of the
caring rfc experienced knowledge!
I am in a rather isolated location, but I will be in the So. Cal. High
Desert "big cities" area on the 20th to see (ugh!) a neuro-surgeon,
and with enough time to browse around all sorts of stores. I can buy
a grinder then, with plenty of time to beat arrival of my KAF order
for the goodies to start making crackers.
Again, thanks to the always dependable for teaching rfc-ers!
....Picky

"ImStillMags" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Jul 15, 4:49 pm, JeanineAlyse <Picky...@msn.com> wrote:
>> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
>> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
>> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
>> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I know nothing about grinders
>> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
>> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any
>> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? Thanks,
>> Pickyhttp://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hand-crank-grain-mill
>
> Looks like everyone has already recommended a common electric coffee
> grinder. I have one that I use
> EXCLUSIVELY for spices and seeds. Don't use a coffee grinder that
> you use for coffee for your seeds...not a good idea because of flavor
> contamination.
>
> You can buy expensive or inexpensive ......I have a fairly inexpensive
> one I've had for years and it continues to do a great job. just be
> sure you clean it after you use it so you don't cross contaminate your
> seeds with some kind of spice flavor you might not want.

Hey, it worked for me. When our Cuisinart burr grinder died last year I used
my Krups grinder I use for spices. My coffee had a slight of caraway that
morning but it was very pleasing.

Jon

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:52:36 -0400, J. Clarke wrote:

> On 7/15/2010 7:49 PM, JeanineAlyse wrote:
>> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
>> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
>> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
>> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I know nothing about grinders
>> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
>> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any
>> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? Thanks, Picky
>> http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/...ank-grain-mill
>
> Do you have a whirligig coffee grinder such as
> <http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=10151112>? If not
> that's the thing to start with for small quantities of spices and
> whatnot. The mill you're looking at is intended to turn grain into
> flour for making bread--if that's what you want it's a decent one but I
> can't see where you'd need it to make sesame flax crackers and unless
> you're planning steak au poivre for an army it's gross overkill for
> peppercorns.

i use mine to grind, say, a heaping quarter teaspoon of black peppercorns
all the time. my most frequent use.

your pal,
blake

On 7/16/2010 12:48 PM, Zeppo wrote:
>
>
> "ImStillMags" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Jul 15, 4:49 pm, JeanineAlyse <Picky...@msn.com> wrote:
>>> After reading Becca's 14 July post on Sesame Flax Crackers, I am
>>> curious to give a go with baking my own but am in need of a good
>>> grinder. Hand-crank or electric, to use for common wee seeds, as well
>>> as for the larger/denser peppercorns. I know nothing about grinders
>>> and certainly have infrequent need, so my first look for one comes
>>> from KAF where I will be ordering the ingredients I want soonest. Any
>>> recommendations for a beginner from y'all? Thanks,
>>> Pickyhttp://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hand-crank-grain-mill
>>
>> Looks like everyone has already recommended a common electric coffee
>> grinder. I have one that I use
>> EXCLUSIVELY for spices and seeds. Don't use a coffee grinder that
>> you use for coffee for your seeds...not a good idea because of flavor
>> contamination.
>>
>> You can buy expensive or inexpensive ......I have a fairly inexpensive
>> one I've had for years and it continues to do a great job. just be
>> sure you clean it after you use it so you don't cross contaminate your
>> seeds with some kind of spice flavor you might not want.
>
> Hey, it worked for me. When our Cuisinart burr grinder died last year I
> used my Krups grinder I use for spices. My coffee had a slight of
> caraway that morning but it was very pleasing.

Trick for cleaning the grinder--grind some rice. Doesn't get it
spotless but a little tiny bit of rice powder isn't going to be
noticeable in coffee or most dishes.

James Silverton <[email protected]> wrote:
clipped
>
>> I use a cheapie <$20 electric coffee bean grinder I bought at Target
>> and it's worked excellently for grinding all my spices and seeds.
>
> That should probably work very well. I use a Cuisenart coffee grinder
> that I bought for just about $20, 15 years ago. It is quite easy to
> wipe out with a damp paper towel if necessary.

Tip... if your coffee/spice grinder needs to be cleaned, put a couple small
pieces of bread in there and run it for a minute. It will pick up almost all
of the residue.

MartyB in KC