Types of ground chiles

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by jay5835

I grind mine with a coffee grinder I use for nothing but grinding spices. I break the chili into small enough bits to fit. My 7-cup food processor wouldn't grind dried chilis small enough, and large bits would probably just slide around the side walls. If you have one of the smaller food processors, it might work. How many cups does yours hold?

The coffee grinder does a perfect job, though.

Thanks. I was concerned that it wouldn't get small enough. I have a 1.5 cup processor, just a touch bigger than a chopper, with a pulse button.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Well, I would try to break a chili down in your food processor before shelling out more for a dedicated spice grinder. I take it your food processor has a bowl you can take out and wash and dry.

Thanks. Yes it does.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

When grinding your own do you recommend pulsing with a food processor or using one of the coffee/spice grinders or something else?

I use a coffee grinder. The chili has to be torn into pieces, remove stems and seeds. In order to get a uniform grind, I have to pick up the grinder and give it a couple of shakes.

I don't use that coffee grinder for anything else but grinding spices. It's a small cheap coffee grinder and it is getting to be close to 20 years old.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I use a coffee grinder. The chili has to be torn into pieces, remove stems and seeds. In order to get a uniform grind, I have to pick up the grinder and give it a couple of shakes.

I don't use that coffee grinder for anything else but grinding spices. It's a small cheap coffee grinder and it is getting to be close to 20 years old.

Thanks. I went back & forth on it & decided to spring for a cheap coffee grinder which will only be used for herbs & spices.

[gguerra]

@Southbound

When you grind chili's for powder they should be very dry and brittle. If they are pliable, your product may spoil. They should be void of all moisture. What kind of quantities are you looking to get and store?

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by gguerra

@Southbound

When you grind chili's for powder they should be very dry and brittle. If they are pliable, your product may spoil. They should be void of all moisture. What kind of quantities are you looking to get and store?

Towards that end, you can dry pliable chilis in a skillet before grinding. No oil needed, but don't use such a hot flame that the chilis burn.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by gguerra

@Southbound

When you grind chili's for powder they should be very dry and brittle. If they are pliable, your product may spoil. They should be void of all moisture. What kind of quantities are you looking to get and store?

Honestly, to start I only need about an ounce, at the most. I was wondering about that. Thanks.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Towards that end, you can dry pliable chilis in a skillet before grinding. No oil needed, but don't use such a hot flame that the chilis burn.

Thanks. That sounds like a better idea than putting then in a dehydrator.

[gguerra]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Honestly, to start I only need about an ounce, at the most. I was wondering about that. Thanks.

I was going to say, if you need a lot it's easier and not expensive to buy online in bulk.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by gguerra

I was going to say, if you need a lot it's easier and not expensive to buy online in bulk.

Thanks. I really did consider doing that. I just couldn't justify the shipping charge. I did manage to justify the coffee/spice grinder, as I've been thinking about getting one for years.