Coffee grounds are full of nutrients that can benefit gardens, compost piles, and even your skin But fresh grounds spoil quickly, growing mold after just a few days To preserve used coffee grounds for later use, it’s important to dry and store them properly. Here are some tips for saving coffee grounds without wasting this valuable resource.
Drying Coffee Grounds
The key to long-term storage is to thoroughly dry the used coffee grounds Wet grounds will rapidly develop mold or rot,
There are a few methods for drying used grounds:
-
To dry in the sun, put the grounds on newspaper or a baking sheet in a thin layer. Put it in direct sunlight and stir it every so often to help it dry evenly. Replace the newspaper as it becomes damp. Drying can take 1-2 days.
-
Spread the grounds out on a baking sheet and put it in the oven on the lowest setting, between 175°F and 200°F, to dry. Stir every 30 minutes until completely dry, about 1-2 hours.
-
Air drying – Spread the grounds in a thin layer on absorbent paper towels. Allow to sit for 1-2 weeks in a dry spot, stirring periodically. The paper towels help wick moisture away.
-
Freezing: Put wet grounds in a bag or container that won’t let air in and freeze them. You can keep adding more grounds because they won’t completely freeze into a solid block. Freezing stops mold growth.
No matter the method, the grounds should be crisp and crumbly when fully dried, with no detectable moisture.
Storing Dried Grounds
Once dried, the grounds can be stored in sealed containers at room temperature for up to a year. Glass jars, plastic containers, or zipper bags all work well.
For longer storage, keep in the freezer. The grounds won’t fully solidify, allowing you to remove smaller portions as needed.
If storing in containers, add a desiccant pack to soak up any remaining water and stop mold from growing. Silica gel packs work well.
When to Save Coffee Grounds
Collect grounds year-round for later use. Here are some reasons to save up a stash:
-
Amend garden beds and pots in spring with stored grounds collected over winter. The nutrients give plants a boost at the start of growing season.
-
Mix into compost piles whenever convenient. The grounds provide nitrogen for faster decomposition.
-
Use in DIY skin scrubs and exfoliants. The abrasive texture helps remove dead skin cells.
-
Eliminate odors in refrigerators and trash cans by placing some dried grounds in a small bowl.
-
Sprinkle onto pathways or icy patches as a traction agent during winter. The coarse texture provides grip.
Use Fresh When Possible
While dried grounds can be stored conveniently, fresh grounds provide the most benefit. Use them immediately when possible, directly in gardens or compost piles.
If you generate more grounds than you need day-to-day, then drying and storage allows you to stockpile the excess for later. Proper drying and storage lets you hold onto this valuable resource.
These are the containers after a week. There is no evidence of mould or of the grounds getting lumpy, and they smell like fresh coffee. I’m using newspaper at the tops of the jars to absorb any remaining moisture.
To get an understanding of how much moisture there is in used coffee grounds, below is a bag that was weighed before drying – 1.47 kilos.
And here it is after been dried out, now weighing 600 grams.
How do you store your used coffee grinds for your #garden?
FAQ
How do you store used coffee grounds so they don’t mold?
Here are some storage tips: Transfer the dried grounds to an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable plastic bag. Add a moisture absorber, like a silica gel packet or a strip of newspaper, to the container to keep the grounds dry.
How long can you save used coffee grounds?
Some sources claim that if sealed, you can store your used grounds for over a month, but always check to make sure no mold has formed.
What to do with waste coffee grounds?
Used coffee grounds are great for compost as they add nitrogen that helps organic materials break down into mulch and, eventually, nutrient-rich fertilizer. If you don’t have a kitchen compost bin already, all you have to do to make one is throw away all of your organic kitchen waste, like eggshells, fruit peels, and so on. ).
How to store coffee grounds after using?
Store your coffee grounds in a dry place at room temperature and avoiding moisture; Consume your coffee grounds within a month.
What can you do with used coffee grounds?
Used coffee grounds are great for a wide variety of purposes, from creating fertilizer for your backyard garden to making beauty products such as face masks to deodorizing your kitchen. You can make sure you have enough used coffee grounds for gardening, beauty, and deodorizing by learning how to dry and store them.
How do you store used coffee grounds?
You can make sure you have enough used coffee grounds for gardening, beauty, and deodorizing by learning how to dry and store them. Put your grounds on a baking sheet lined with newspaper. Keep the grounds no more than 2–3 inches (5. 1–7. 6 cm) thick.
Should you save coffee grounds?
Did you know that by saving your spent coffee grounds now, you can use them this spring and summer to help naturally power your garden and flowerbeds. Not only that, but you can use them to energize hanging baskets, perennial plants, and houseplants too!
Do used coffee grounds store well?
Used coffee grounds do not store too well due to their high water content; in this state they are primed to decompose which is a great thing for everything but long term storage. Just follow these steps for dried coffee success:
Can you store coffee grounds in a freezer bag?
A simple freezer bag can safely store a huge amount of coffee grounds with no worry of mold. Storing coffee grounds for the long haul is the most simple of all. There is really no reason or need to dry them out first if you will be freezing them. That’s because there will be no chance for mold to form in the freezer.
Can You reuse coffee grounds?
How Coffee Grounds Saved my marriage roses. Seriously! Using Coffee Grounds in the Compost. Plus, Get Your Compost Brew Right. If gardening isn’t your thing, here are some other articles on other ways to reuse your coffee grounds: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. 17 Ways to Reuse your Coffee Grounds. 15 Creative Ways to Reuse Your Coffee Grounds.