What do you use to grind dried chile peppers?

[Ron LaChapelle]

I bought a decent grinder a while back to grind some dried peppers that (I thought) I had rather finely chopped w/ a knife. But the grinder was better suited to peppercorns, and the like. I bought a bunch of peppers that were recommended in the Low and Slow book, and now if I wanna use them in a recipe, I have to spend a BUNCH of time mincing those buggers up. Is there anything out there that can take a 1/8th inch chunk of pepper and grind it into a powder, and not take 5 minutes to get a teaspoon?
Thanks for replying

 

[Bill Farmer]

Try an electric coffee grinder

 

[Mike Cout]

I just use a coffee grinder that I picked up for under $20 on Amazon. I've never had an issue with it chopping anything to a powder, including dried rosemary so I would think it would be able to handle peppers too. If you go that route, find one that has a grind selection and can do espresso grinds.

 

[Ron LaChapelle]

Thank you fellows, for the fast reply. After looking at these grinders, yes, they make a lot of sense. For not a lot of dollars. (see what I did there?) hahahahahah On the Christmas list

 

[Brendan R]

Did you know that the threaded ring and blade from a standard blender fit on common wide-mouth jars?
This works great for dried chile since the blades are sturdy, sharp & strong and the smooth walls of the jar allow the pieces to move around.
I hope to make a batch tomorrow.

 

[Clint]

I've had one of these since 8/2009

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000645YM/tvwb-20

It does a good job with peppers. I think a coffee/spice grinder might be a little small for this, but I'd also like to get one of them again. I just ordered a mortar & pestle, not exactly sure what I'll do with that. I wonder if a full size food processor would chop them fine enough.

 

[RD Hauch]

Try an electric coffee grinder

Yes but don't use it for coffee after that unless you like really spicy coffee. I know this from experience.

 

[Rich Dahl]

I use a cheap electric coffee grinder I got at Sears for $15.00 works great, but as said keep as a spice grinder don't use it for coffee.

 

[timothy]

Some dried peppers are more pliable (rubbery) than others. Putting them in the oven (on a rack, on it's lowest setting ) for a few hours makes them easier to grind.

Tim

 

[Robert-R]

I use a cheap electric coffee grinder I got at Sears for $15.00 works great, but as said keep as a spice grinder don't use it for coffee.

You can "clean" it by grinding rice in it.

 

[Mike Cout]

Mine is dishwasher safe, so I just take it apart and toss it on the top shelf.

 

[Chris Allingham]

I use the KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder. Just shake while grinding. My wife occasionally runs white rice through it and co-opts it to grind her whole bean coffee.