Spice Grinder Target: What's Available In-Store and Is It Any Good?
If you're looking for a spice grinder at Target, you'll find a small but decent selection in the kitchen appliances aisle, typically 4-8 models depending on your store's size. Most are blade-style electric grinders priced between $15 and $40, with a few manual options mixed in. For basic spice grinding, Target's selection gets the job done, though it won't satisfy someone looking for specialty coffee-level precision.
I've picked up spice grinders from Target more than once, both for actual spice grinding and as a cheap backup coffee grinder in a pinch. Here's what you'll find on the shelves, which options are worth grabbing, and when you should skip Target and shop elsewhere.
What Target Actually Carries
Target's spice grinder selection leans heavily toward a few reliable brands. Here's what you'll typically find.
KitchenAid Blade Grinder
KitchenAid's electric blade grinder is usually the most recognizable name on the shelf. It retails for about $30-$40 at Target and does a solid job grinding whole spices. The stainless steel blade handles peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander, and similar dry spices effectively. Hold the button for 5-10 seconds and you get a reasonably even powder.
For spices, blade grinders are actually a good fit. Unlike coffee, where particle uniformity matters enormously, spice grinding is more forgiving. You just need everything broken down fine enough to release flavor, and a blade grinder does that quickly.
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind
This is usually the cheapest electric option at Target, often priced around $15-$20. It's a simple blade grinder with a single button. Press and hold to grind, release to stop. No settings, no timers, no frills.
The Hamilton Beach does what you'd expect at this price: it chops spices into a rough powder. It's not elegant, and the grind is less uniform than the KitchenAid, but for occasional spice grinding, it works. I bought one of these as a dedicated spice grinder to keep my coffee grinder spice-free, and it's still running after two years.
Cuisinart Electric Spice and Nut Grinder
Cuisinart's dedicated spice grinder sometimes shows up at Target in the $25-$35 range. It has a slightly larger grinding chamber than most blade grinders, which is useful if you grind larger batches of spice blends. The removable grinding bowl makes cleanup easier since you can wash it separately.
Manual Spice Grinders
Target also stocks a few manual options, including pepper mills and generic spice mills. These are hand-crank or twist-to-grind models priced between $10 and $25. They work well for single-spice grinding (like pepper or sea salt) but are slow and impractical for making complex spice blends.
Can You Use a Target Spice Grinder for Coffee?
This is the question I get asked most often, and the answer is: technically yes, but with serious trade-offs.
Blade Grinders and Coffee
A blade grinder from Target will chop coffee beans into grounds. The problem is consistency. Blade grinders produce a wide range of particle sizes, from fine powder to coarse chunks, all in the same batch. For coffee, this means uneven extraction: the powder over-extracts (bitter) while the chunks under-extract (sour). Your cup ends up muddled.
For drip coffee in an emergency, a blade grinder is better than nothing. Pulse the blade in short 2-3 second bursts, shaking the grinder between pulses to redistribute the beans. This improves the consistency slightly. But don't expect a great cup.
For espresso or pour-over, a blade grinder simply won't work. Those methods demand tight particle uniformity that a blade cannot provide.
The Cross-Contamination Problem
If you use the same grinder for spices and coffee, the flavors transfer. Cumin-flavored coffee is not something you want to experience. Trust me on this. I made the mistake once of grinding coffee in a grinder that had processed cardamom the day before, and the result was undrinkable.
If you grind both spices and coffee, keep two separate grinders. A cheap blade grinder for spices and a burr grinder for coffee. This is actually the ideal setup, and Target's prices make it easy to grab a dedicated spice blade grinder for under $20.
For dedicated coffee grinding recommendations, check out our best coffee grinder guide.
Buying a Spice Grinder at Target vs. Amazon
Target's main advantage is immediate gratification. You walk in, grab a grinder, and go home with it. No waiting for shipping, no worrying about delivery delays. If you need a spice grinder today for a recipe tonight, Target is the obvious choice.
Where Target Wins
- Instant availability: Walk in, buy, use today
- Easy returns: Target's return policy is generous. If the grinder is terrible, take it back within 90 days
- See before you buy: You can hold the grinder, check the size, and read the box details in person
- Price matching: Target matches prices from major online retailers including Amazon, so you can get the same price without waiting for delivery
Where Amazon Wins
- Larger selection: Amazon has hundreds of spice grinders, including specialty options and premium brands you won't find at Target
- Burr grinders for spices: If you want a burr-style spice grinder (which produces a more uniform powder for baking and cooking), Amazon has options that Target doesn't typically stock
- Reviews at scale: Amazon's review base gives you more data points from thousands of buyers versus the handful of reviews on Target.com
For someone who wants to explore coffee and spice grinding with a single versatile grinder, our roundup of the best coffee and spice grinder options covers models that handle both well.
Price Comparison
Target and Amazon typically sell the same blade grinders at similar prices. The Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind, for instance, is usually $18-$20 at both retailers. During sales (Target Circle deals, Amazon lightning deals), either store might be $2-$5 cheaper. The difference isn't significant enough to stress over.
Getting the Most Out of a Target Spice Grinder
Once you've bought your grinder, these tips will help you get better results.
Grind in short pulses. Don't hold the button and blast. Pulse for 2-3 seconds, pause, shake the grinder to redistribute, then pulse again. This produces a more even result than continuous grinding.
Don't overfill. Fill the grinding chamber about two-thirds full, max. Overfilling prevents the blades from reaching all the spices, leaving you with a mix of powder and whole seeds.
Clean between spices. Grind a small handful of dry white rice between different spices. The rice absorbs oils and odors, acting as a natural cleaner. This prevents cumin from showing up in your coriander blend.
Dry your spices first. Moisture is the enemy of blade grinders. If you're grinding spices that have absorbed humidity (common in warm climates), spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in a dry pan for 30 seconds first. They'll grind faster and more evenly when dry.
Use the grinder upside-down trick. For a finer powder, flip the grinder upside down and shake it while pulsing. Gravity pulls the larger pieces back toward the blade for another pass. This works surprisingly well for getting a more uniform spice powder.
FAQ
Does Target sell burr grinders for spices?
Not typically in-store. Target's spice grinder selection is almost entirely blade models. If you want a burr grinder for spices, you'll have better luck shopping online. That said, for most spice grinding tasks, a blade grinder works perfectly well. Burr grinders matter more for coffee than for spices.
What's the best spice grinder at Target for under $25?
The Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind is the best value under $25. It's simple, effective, and durable enough for regular spice grinding. If you can stretch to $30-$35, the KitchenAid blade grinder offers better build quality and a slightly more even grind.
Can I return a spice grinder to Target if I don't like it?
Yes. Target accepts returns within 90 days with a receipt, and Target Circle members get an additional 30-day extension for some products. As long as the grinder isn't visibly damaged from misuse, returns are simple. I've returned small kitchen appliances to Target without any hassle.
Should I buy one grinder for both coffee and spices?
No. Buy two cheap grinders instead of one shared grinder. Spice flavors and oils embed themselves in the grinding chamber and blades, and they'll contaminate your coffee. A $18 blade grinder for spices and a separate burr grinder for coffee is the way to go. Your morning cup will thank you.
My Recommendation
Target's spice grinder selection is limited but practical. Grab a Hamilton Beach or KitchenAid blade grinder for $18-$35, use it exclusively for spices, and keep a separate grinder for coffee. That two-grinder setup costs less than $70 total and gives you the best results for both uses. Don't overthink it. For spice grinding, a basic blade from Target is all you need.