You might be surprised at what a great multitasker your home blender really is. In addition to smoothies, shakes, and frozen drinks, it’s also a great way to grind coffee, spices, beans, and grains. It’s a great option to consider if you’re looking to save money on extra kitchen gadgets. However, not all blenders are well suited to these tasks, so shop carefully. If you need help finding the best blender for dry ingredients, take a look at these options below.
| Photo | Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Ninja Mega Kitchen System | Full Size | |
  | KOIOS Personal Blender | Personal | |
  | Nutribullet Personal Blender | Personal | |
  | Ninja Personal Blender | Personal | |
  | Nutribullet ZNBF30400Z Blender | Full Size | |
  | Blendtec Original Blender | Full Size | |
  | Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender | Full Size | |
  | Oster Pro 1200 | Full Size |
The 8 Best Blenders for Dry Ingredients
There’s a wide range of different blenders that specialize in dry ingredients. Review the strengths and weaknesses of each of these models to find the one that’s perfect for you.
Top Pick: Ninja Mega Kitchen System
What we liked:
- Wide selection of attachments and add-ons
- Powerful 1500 watt motor
- Simple operation
What we didn’t like:
- Lacks presets
- Heavy and bulky
When shopping for a blender for dry ingredients, the best bets are blenders that balance power and versatility. It takes a sizeable motor to grind through grains and nuts, as well as the right blade attachment readily at hand. This Ninja Mega Kitchen System is the ideal choice for dry ingredients of all kinds, with a stunning selection of blades and blending cups, and a 1500 watt motor to back it up.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Ninja Mega Kitchen System is how many accessories it comes with. A 72 oz total crushing pitcher, a food processor bowl, a pair of Nutri Ninja cups, and a dough mixer ensure you always have the tool you need.
If you’re grinding spices, the NutriNinja cups are a perfect choice. They’re just 8 oz, meaning you can grind small amounts of whole spice while still taking advantage of the blender’s two-horsepower engine.
Grains, beans, nuts, and other bulk ingredients can be blended en masse in the 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher. The central column is covered in six blades designed to chew through material in seconds.
Overall, this Ninja blender is a good choice for those who want an option that can handle both dry and wet ingredients. Its wide variety of attachments and add-ons make it a good option for just about anything.
KOIOS Personal Blender
What we liked:
- Great for blending spices
- Compact and portable
- Relatively quiet
What we didn’t like:
- Smaller capacity
- Less powerful motor
On the other end of the spectrum, smaller blenders are a good option for those who are mainly interested in grinding spices. An 8-12 oz blending cup can be a perfect way to grind small quantities of food, as well as save storage space and cleanup hassle. This KOIOS Personal Blender is the perfect compact package for home use.
It even features a specialized grinding attachment, complete with a leaf blade design. This helps to match the design of a specialized grinder even more closely. The manufacturer even advertises being able to grind nut butter in as little as 10 seconds!
Nutribullet Personal Blender
What we liked:
- Quite powerful for its size
- Easy to clean and store
- Simple and intuitive controls
What we didn’t like:
- No additional speed settings
- Can only grind small quantities
The Nutribullet personal blender is another compact design that lends itself well to grinding spices, nuts, and coffee. It’s a little bit larger than the KOIOS model above, which helps with versatility. While it is slightly less powerful, its 600-watt motor is still strong enough for common grinding tasks.
Depending on what you want to use it for, its pared-down design could be an advantage or disadvantage. For those who want to finely grind coffee and enjoy the streamlined look, it can be a good choice. However, if you require more control over how coarse your grind is, you may want to look for an option with variable speed control.
Ninja Personal Blender
What we liked:
- Available in different power ratings
- 16 oz cup is perfect for most dry grinding tasks
- 700 watts of power
What we didn’t like:
- No variable speed control
If you’re looking for a good middle-of-the-road blender in terms of size, this Ninja personal blender is a good option to consider. With a 16 oz blending cup, it’s perfect for both small quantities of spices, as well as medium-sized amounts of grain or beans. While it can’t grind mass quantities like the larger blenders can, it maximizes versatility.
One nice perk is that this model is available in 700, 900, and 1100 watt designs. This lets you get exactly the type of blender you need for the tasks you want to prioritize. The 1100 watt option is a bit louder, though it will chew through tough grains easier than other blenders.
NutriBullet ZNBF30400Z Blender
What we liked:
- 1200-watt motor base
- Wide pitcher
- Tamper included
What we didn’t like:
- A bit heavy and bulky
- Only three speed settings
While NitruBullet blenders are often known for their compact models, they offer quality blenders of all sizes. This NutriBullet ZNBF30400Z blender is case in point, with a solid construction, a powerful motor, and a wide pitcher that lets you grind medium to large quantities of beans and grains.
The major downside is that three speed settings aren’t ideal for a high-end blender. It gives you some control over the coarseness of your grind, though not as much as blenders with ten settings.
Blendtec Original Blender
What we liked:
- Larger capacity
- Wide pitcher for even blending
- 8-year warranty
What we didn’t like:
- Not ideal for blending small quantities
- Not many specialized attachments
While smaller grinders can be convenient, home cooks looking to make their own flour or nut butte need a bit more power and blending capacity. If this sounds like you, the Blendtec Original blender may be your top pick. It offers a 36 oz blending capacity, which is great for large batches, and it offers a good selection of speeds to fine-tune your grind.
I especially like the sleek digital interface on the motor base of this Blendtec blender. It keeps track of your blend time and lets you easily select any of the pre-programmed settings. The base is also designed to run quietly, letting you run the blender for long stretches without creating excess noise.
Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
What we liked:
- Quality construction
- Variable Speed control
- Pulse setting
What we didn’t like:
- No extra grinding attachments
If you’re going for quality, a Vitamix blender is always an option to consider. While they don’t offer all the features and attachments of some newer blender brands, they are known for their dedication to craftsmanship. The Vitamix e310 Explorian blender won’t let you down, with a powerful motor, high pitcher capacity, and design that’s made to last.
The only factor to keep in mind is that the 48-oz pitcher won’t let you grind smaller quantities of spices or coffee. You will probably need at least a half cup of material to engage the blades properly and get a smooth grind.
Learn more about the difference between Ninja vs Vitamix blenders here.
Oster Pro 1200
What we liked:
- Food processor attachment for added versatility
- Wide range of preset functions
- Dual Direction blade technology
What we didn’t like:
- No smaller grinding attachment
- Large and heavy
Oster blender models are another quality option to consider with a good level of quality at a more affordable price. The Oster Pro 1200 offers a nice level of versatility, with some hidden perks that make it worth your while. The best of these is the Dual Direction blade technology which is added specially to aid grinding tasks. It ensures a smoother and more consistent end product. While the blender doesn’t come with a smaller grinding attachment, you can still cover smaller quantities in the food processor add-on.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Blender for Dry Ingredients
The only way to choose the right blender for dry ingredients is to understand all the factors that go into a well-considered decision. All of the following points can mean the difference between a good investment and a bad one, so be sure to keep them in mind while buying.
Power
A blender’s power determines how well it chews through material as well as how fast it’s able to blend. This is especially important for dry ingredients, as they offer more resistance to the blades. More powerful motors are also able to blend longer without overheating. Generally, look for blenders that are at least 700 watts, though more is always better.
Blades
If you look at any kitchen spice grinder, you’ll find that it has relatively thick blades. This is to add durability when cutting through tough husks and seed pods. The same principle applies when shopping for a blender for dry ingredients. Thicker blades are more durable and better able to cut through whatever they need to.
Control
Even if you’re only planning on using your blender as a dedicated spice grinder, it pays to find an option with a variable speed setting. It isn’t about how fast you’re able to grind but the consistency of the end product. A high speed setting will result in a finer texture, while a low setting makes for coarser grinds. This can be important for everything from grains, to coffee, to nuts.
Maintenance
No matter what kind of blender you’re buying, it’s always a good idea to find one that’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Some blenders even have auto-cleaning functions that cut down on hassle.
Quiet Operation
The only drawback of more powerful motors is that they also tend to be louder. This isn’t always true, however, as updated models are able to offer both high power and quiet operation, though it may be difficult to determine a blender’s volume before buying. The best place to look is customer reviews, where users will be sure to mention this factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blending dry ingredients is a fine art, so it doesn’t hurt to learn as much as you can before starting. See what other questions blending enthusiasts are asking in this section.
Will solid foods dull my blender blade?
Generally, yes, regularly blendin ice, dry beans, rice, frozen fruit, and other solids will dull your blender blade faster than blendign liquids. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all blender blades are created equal. Quality blades are made of more durable material that will stand the test of time. That, combined with a high-powered motor will keep your blades sharp for years.
Is a blender just a large grinder?
While blenders can be used to grind dry ingredients, it’s important to understand the difference between these two appliances. Generally, blenders are designed to mix together wet ingredients, creating a vortex in the middle of a large pitcher. On the other hand, grinders tend to be smaller, and use a thicker blade to cut through tough dry materials.
This is why it’s important to choose your blender carefully if you plan on using it for dry ingredients. The wrong blender can easily burn out, dull, or shatter if used improperly.
Why is my blender getting hot?
If your blender is getting hot while in use, turn it off immediately and allow it to cool before turning it back on. Motors get hot when they are overworked, which can happen when your blender is trying to cut through thick and tough materials. If your blender is old, it may be due to a dull blade or wear and tear on the motor. If it happens regularly, it may be time to upgrade to a newer, more powerful model.
Can I use an immersion blender for dry ingredients?
While it may be tempting, immersion blending is not recommended for dry ingredients. The reason is that you can’t get as even a grind as you would with a stationary blender. Immersion blenders also lack the power of a countertop blender.
If you’re looking for a more compact option, consider smaller personal blenders like Magic Bullet or other bullet blender options.
Can I crush ice in the blender?
Whether or not you’re able to crush ice in your blender all comes down to the quality of the appliance. Blenders with weak motors and dull blades will wear out quickly, and should not be use for crushing ice.
