Is it safe to grind spices in a plastic-bodied electric grinder?
Not ideal. Grinding generates heat and friction, and the spice oils pull plastic off the bowl walls.
What's actually in it
Inexpensive electric spice grinders often have a plastic bowl or plastic lid that touches the spices during grinding. The friction of the blades warms the bowl, and the essential oils in the spices act as solvents. Both speed the release of plastic additives into the freshly ground powder.
Manual burr grinders with stainless or ceramic bowls skip the issue.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Agric Food Chem showed plastic particle release scales with temperature and agitation. Grinders hit both.
Use a stainless steel or ceramic spice grinder, or a mortar and pestle for small amounts. For larger volumes, a burr coffee grinder dedicated to spices works well.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers. | J Agric Food Chem | 2025 |
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