Can You Grind Cinnamon Sticks in a Blender?

Have you ever sat down to imagine how cooking would be without the blender? It would have been more challenging and time-consuming. 

Nevertheless, the blender cannot grind everything. But can it handle cinnamon sticks?

This takes us to a crucial question, which you might be interested in figuring out. Read to know if using a blender to grind cinnamon would work.

Can You Use a Blender to Grind Cinnamon Sticks?

Yes, you can blend your cinnamon sticks with a blender. But we’re not talking small blenders, by the way. And hope that’s not what you plan on using anyway.

However, blenders aren’t always a good option for dry spices. That’s why dry grinders exist. They are great for dry spices like cinnamon sticks. You’ll have a smooth output and ensure your grinder is intact.

Furthermore, keep in mind that cinnamon is a spice whose sticks’ sizes might vary slightly. You will find some giant sticks and skinny ones. 

Please, only attempt to grind the skinny ones. Sieve through the spice and choose the ones you know the blender’s blades won’t have a hard time tearing to piece. 

Doing so will also increase your chances of getting a smooth grind, which is always the goal. 

When using a blender to grind cinnamon sticks, ensure you don’t have too much at a time in the machine. Overloading the machine is not an excellent way to use it. Just get the sticks in little by little.  

How Do You Grind Cinnamon Sticks in a Blender?

You cannot use a blender to grind cinnamon sticks the same way you grind other ingredients. The spice is hard and can be tough to crush. And you have to ensure you don’t damage the blender.

So, how can you grind cinnamon sticks with a blender the right way? Let’s look at various ways you can do it. 

And remember, these methods work whether you’re grinding Vietnamese cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, or Ceylon cinnamon. It doesn’t matter.   

Electric grinding machines can get the job done. And the two recommended ones are the spice grinder and coffee grinder. Both devices will do a great job. 

However, if you don’t have a spice grinder or the coffee grinder, there’s no need to get worried, as all hope isn’t lost. You can use a blender. 

But know this; not every blender has the power to crush cinnamon. You can see that the sticks are super strong, and most of them appear super large.

So, if you plan on using a blender, ensure it has the power to grind your cinnamon sticks. 

Now, how do you use a blender?

Step 1: Prepare the blender

Check your blender’s blades and power rating. Do you think it can handle something as vital as cinnamon sticks?

If you think so, then get it ready to crush your cinnamon sticks to size. If the compartment you want to use is dirty, get it washed thoroughly and dried. 

Step 2: Chop the sticks to sizes

Please, don’t throw the whole cinnamon sticks into the blender, with the expectation that the machine would crush them to piece. It might attempt it, but that isn’t an excellent way to use your blender. 

So, help to lessen the job on the blender by chopping the cinnamon sticks to tiny bits.

Once you finish cutting the sticks, get them into the grinding machine. 

Step 3: Grind cinnamon sticks in batches

Don’t be in haste when grinding cinnamon sticks in the blender. Otherwise, you might end up not completing the grinding process. Why? Blenders can overheat when working. 

So, if you overload your blender, you’re invariably overworking the motor. The result would be overheating, or the motor could get burnt.

To avoid any of these from happening, chop your cinnamon sticks and get them into the blender in batches. 

It would be best if you also didn’t allow the blender to run for hours. Please turn it off and on, now and then, to give the motor time to cool down. 

You already know how hard the cinnamon sticks are. So, you have to play your part to help the blender to work well. 

Can You Grind Cinnamon Sticks in a Coffee Grinder?

Yes, you can. If you do not have a spice grinder meant for such a task, your coffee grinder would be just fine.

Your first step, as always, should be to wash the coffee grinder to remove any leftover, so your spice won’t smell like coffee. 

Now, chop the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces and get them into the grinder. If the coffee grinder boasts an espresso setting, you have literarily won a jackpot. 

The benefit of this setting is that it can grind your cinnamon sticks to a fine powder. 

A Handy Tip: Once you finish grinding cinnamon spice in the coffee grinder, endeavor to clean up the machine. Otherwise, your coffee might have a taste of cinnamon. And that would be cinnamon coffee. A thoughtful combination that sounds good on paper but something you don’t want to try.   

On the other hand, there is limit grinding machines can take. Remember, cinnamon sticks boast a very thick bark. So, not all grinders can crush them with ease. 

So, if your grinder shows signs of difficulty crushing the cinnamon sticks, please don’t push it any further. If you do, you might damage the grinder or make the blades go blunt. And you clearly wouldn’t want that.

What is the Best Way to Grind Cinnamon Sticks?

You can grind cinnamon sticks in several ways or methods. You can use a blender, spice grinder, coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or even a grate. 

However, the easiest and quickest way to grind the cinnamon sticks is to use a spice grinder. It’s not a blender or mortar and pestle. 

You won’t get a fine ground with mortar and pestle. The grate is a bit difficult too. 

Spice grinders are electric and come designed to grind spice. So, they probably have the power to crush the cinnamon sticks, giving you the output (fine ground) you desire. 

However, numerous spice grinder brands exist. So you have to be extremely careful when making your choice. Choose a grinder produced by a trusted brand.

Can You Make Ground Cinnamon From Cinnamon Sticks?

Yes, you can, and there are several ways to do it. Please, ignore the use of mortar and pestle, as they’re labor-intensive, given the numerous tasks you would be handling in the kitchen. 

What about the grater? Well, here’s another tool you shouldn’t consider using if you want ground cinnamon. It is a super tedious task, using a grater to grind cinnamon sticks. 

Even if you grind the Ceylon cinnamon, which boasts a softer bark, you would still find it difficult on a grater. 

The easiest way to make ground cinnamon is via the use of electric grinders. Every chef or homeowner should consider getting one, as spices are inevitable in cooking. 

To make ground cinnamon, consider getting yourself a spice grinder. You can use a coffee grounder, but please don’t just make use of any coffee grinder you come across. 

Check the grinder for indication on whether it can grind spices or other ingredients. Manufacturers usually state this on the coffee grinders.

If you don’t find anything that states the coffee grinder can crush, or you can use it to grind spice, avoid using the machine to grind cinnamon.

You can attempt anyway. But if the blades just can’t cut through the cinnamon sticks, don’t continue trying. You might end up damaging the grinder by doing so.

Several electric grinders designed to grind spice, herbs, nuts, and even seeds, are available on the market. Most of them even come with dry and wet compartments, giving users the freedom to use the same machine for different ingredients.

Just choose a grinder that can get the job done. That’s the main thing.

Can You Eat Cinnamon Sticks?

Yes, you can eat cinnamon sticks. Most people enjoy it. You can even consume the cassia cinnamon in low to moderate amounts. But, please avoid consuming excess cinnamon. Why? It can be toxic to you. 

Cinnamon boasts a compound called coumarin, which is what makes excess consumption of the spice unpleasant. So, consuming an excess amount of cinnamon sticks can have serious health repercussions for anyone. 

Research has demonstrated that it can increase one’s cancer risk and cause liver cancer. 

Conclusion: Can you grind cinnamon sticks in a blender?

Can you grind cinnamon sticks in a blender? Yes, you can. You can read the response we gave to this question from the very beginning. We noted that although you can blend cinnamon sticks in a blender, most blenders aren’t up to the task. 

You can make grind your cinnamon sticks in several ways. You can use an electric spice grinder, coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, grate, blender, and other tools that can grind spices. 

However, a spice grinder remains the best option for grinding cinnamon sticks.