First of all Happy new year to you all!

I want to buy a grinder for spices and wonder if it is best to get a burr grinder type or chopping blade type. Which is the best?

Secondly, I thought I could use it for herbs as well but I'm not sure if I might cross contaminate flavours e.g. get spice flavour in pesto when I grind Basil and vice versa. Should I get 2 seperate grinders? Can you recommend a make and model?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

Hello Paulmac

Happy New year to you too Paul

I have this simple coffee grinder for spices; Russell Hobbs 9702 Coffee. It gives me coarse, medium fine options. The cup doesn't hold too much, so it stop the temptation to grind a whole lot (and then loose flavour!)of spices. I have had it for around 2 years, my last one, a moulinex lasted me nearly 15 years. There is no need to waste a lot of money on expensive grinders for spices, in my view. To get rid of flvours from the coffee grinder, I just wipe it with a wet cloth and leave it to dry out for a few hours. If you are very careful not to wet rest of the machine, you can wash the grinding cup. Just one more note, if you grind cinnamon bark in it, make sure you break it up into small pieces first. Otherwise, it will ruin you grinder fast, spacially if it has a plastic cup.

For herbs, small amount of onions, ginger garlic etc. I use this; www.amazon.co.uk/Braun-Hand-Blender-Speed-Chopper/dp/B001G50PZI , But I am sure I paid a lot less than it saya here. May be the prices have gone up, I have had this for quite a few years. It is excellent for chopping small amount of onions, tomatoes etc., as well as herbs.

Mamta

I certainly can vouch for the long life of the Moulinex Coffee Grinder! I have one that is well over 20 years old (although obviously would not have had as such intensive use as Mamta's!)

I do have a separate one for coffee, but this was only by chance as it was given to me later. However in retrospect it does make life much easier as I use it every morning, and just give it a good wipe round occasionally. If you need two grinders I think depends on how much of a coffee addict you are!

Note well Mamta's tip about the cinnamon sticks - I just use a pair of scissors to break them up above the grinder.

Happy New Year to you all.

I have a moulinex too and I've had it over 10 years and it's still going strong. The only problem is mine retains an electrical charge in the plug for some reason, so if I forget or someone else forgets and touches the pins on the plug they get a kick, but apart from that it's fine...

For large batches of spice mixes like Garam Masala, Biryani Masala, and Curry Powder I use the coffee grinder. I also use it for spices that are harder to grind such as cinnamon.

For small amounts of spices that need to be ground, I do them as and when using my granite pestle and mortar. They taste much better when they're ground fresh. I normally dry roast them first and allow them to cool, as this helps to grind them in the pestle and mortar.

Have you tried using a new plug John? May be the fault is in the plug only.

Mamta

Yes I tried several times Mamta but it makes no difference.

John sounds like an old vacuum we had, that did the same, think it was due to the motor acting like a giant capacitor and storing a charge. Won't be enough current to do any damage just gives you a kick...

Steve

Yeah, it gives a nsaty nip but I wouldn't change it for anything. It's a bit like 'mind the third step, it's a bitch.' Great website here by the way, I love this place and I think it's brilliant that people can ask questions and Mamta and others are on hand to answer.

I'm no physicist but would wearing rubber washing-up gloves or wellington boots reduce the kick?!!!!!

"Wellington Boots"

It will work I am sure, and you will be a vision to 'boot! LOL!

I'll end up looking like a mortician.

I don't know Mamta, the outfit could be rather fetching with matching white wellies and rubber gloves, and would go well with your Mamta's Kitchen apron. The final accessory for sale could be a pair of safety goggles (useful to prevent crying when chopping those strong onions.)

Would even put Heston Blumenthal to shame!

LOL I can see it now.... lol

You are all nuts!

:-)!

Mamta

The new range from Mamtas Kitchen ? his and hers matching toxic mortician suits. Ideal for making your own chilli powders and for chopping onions. Could be a hit!

Ha haaa! Now do you think we should be applying beautiful custom MK embroidery as per our apron or go for a more sobre all-black look? Or maybe qhite like a HazMat suit?

(Speaking of the aprons, I reckon they'd be rather good protection as well, hint hint)

GRIN!