This Spice Grinder Cleaning Hack Uses A Pantry Staple
Those who use an electric spice grinder or coffee grinder at home know that it can turn into a mess over time. Fine particles can build up in the lid or cling to oils left behind around the sides of the grinder. And, according to The Kitchn, those oils can even go rancid if left for too long. It's important to clean all your kitchen tools, but cleaning spice grinders can be particularly tricky.
Fortunately, there's a very simple hack for cleaning spice grinders (or coffee grinders) that uses something you probably already have on hand: rice. According to a Reddit thread, whirling around some grains of uncooked white rice will collect any particles left behind, absorb the leftover residue, and even neutralize any lingering scents.
However, one Redditor pointed out that their mid-range burr grinder suggested using softer instant rice to avoid damaging the blades. Others doubted that this was necessary if using strong ceramic burrs. Even so, more cautious home cooks (or people with lower-quality grinders) might appreciate the tip.
You can use another pantry staple instead
If you're not convinced that rice is the best way to go when attempting to clean your spice grinder, then you can also try using another pantry staple: bread. Epicurious suggests using "soft or lightly stale bread." The beauty of using bread is that it has an absorbent, sponge-like texture that the grinder's blades can easily whip around to scrub up leftover particles. The starchy staple is also perfect for picking up lingering residue and aromas. While you could also use this hack to clean a coffee grinder, there's an added benefit to using bread to clean a spice grinder specifically.
After the bread has been ground up and absorbed whatever spices and residue might have been left behind, Epicurious suggests using those tiny bread bits to make delicious toasted breadcrumbs. Just melt some butter in a pan and toss in your crumbs. After they become golden and fragrant, you can add them to salads, pasta bakes, desserts, or even fold them into meatballs. That makes using bread a wonderful no-waste solution to cleaning your grinder, and it's hard to beat that.