Can You Use Coffee Grounds Twice? 9 Alternative Uses of Coffee Grounds

It’s early morning, you’ve just finished brewing a fresh pot of coffee, and you’re left looking at the damp pile of used grounds sitting in the filter. Before dumping them in the trash, you wonder – can you use coffee grounds twice to save some money and get a second brew out of them?

It’s an enticing idea, but can used coffee grounds actually be reused to make a decent cup of joe again?

The answer is yes, you can reuse spent coffee grounds to extract a second, drinkable brew. However, there are some important caveats. Properly storing the grounds, tweaking brewing methods, and managing expectations on flavor is key to success.

When reused with care, coffee grounds can be a great way to reduce waste and spend less. But you’ll need to follow some specific tips to avoid a weak, stale, or just plain bad-tasting cup of coffee from double-brewed grounds.

How can you reuse coffee grounds? Proper storage is key for reusing coffee grounds

The first critical step is storing your used coffee grounds correctly between the first and second brew. This preserves as much freshness as possible in the beans.

Transfer the damp grounds straight from the brewer or filter to an airtight container. Mason jars or zipper freezer bags work great, allowing you to push out excess air before sealing. Make sure the container is fully closed to prevent oxygen exposure.

Next, store the container somewhere dark, cool, and dry. A kitchen pantry or cupboard is ideal. You want to avoid subjecting the grounds to light, heat, or humidity. Refrigeration can even extend freshness for a few extra days if sealed airtight.

Used coffee grounds will start to dry out and degrade quickly on the counter. Aim to reuse refrigerated grounds within 3-4 days or non-refrigerated within just 2 days for optimal freshness.

Follow these storage steps, and your grounds have a fighting chance for a second brewing.

Brewing Tips for Reusing Coffee Grounds

When it’s time for round two, brewing your reused coffee grounds requires some adjustments to process and technique.

Here are some tips:

• Use a higher coffee-to-water ratio: Older grounds won’t extract as easily, so use about 1.5 times more grounds relative to water.
• Only grind what you need: Pre-ground coffee stales incredibly fast. For freshest taste, grind just enough for each use.
• Opt for a medium-fine grind: Finer grounds have more surface area which is key for extracting more from stale beans.
• Allow for longer brew times: Let the used grounds steep for at least 5-6 minutes to maximize extraction.
• Stir the slurry: Agitate the brewing grounds well to ensure full saturation and uniform extraction.

You may need to experiment with the various factors to find your perfect balance for used grounds. The goal is to over-extract a bit more from the stale grounds. With the right techniques, you can achieve a drinkable and flavorful second brew.

Potential flavor issues to expect

While reused coffee grounds can make decent coffee, expect some drop-off in quality from the original brew.

Grounds left sitting after the first brew quickly start losing their aromatics, volatile compounds, and fresh flavors. Oils oxidize and go rancid.

Some potential flavor defects common with reused coffee grounds include:

• Weak, watery brew: The grounds have already lost solubles, resulting in low extraction and diluted taste.
• Bitter, overextracted brew: Finer grinds and longer brewing accentuate bitterness.
• Flat, dull flavor: Staling causes a noticeable loss of bright, lively flavors.
• Rancid or “off” tastes: Oxidation produces stale, unpleasant flavor notes.
• Absorbed odors: Grounds can pick up smells from storage containers.

No matter what you do, reused coffee will always have some degree of diminished freshness and flavor. The key is setting realistic expectations and doing damage control through proper storage and extraction methods.

While not quite as vibrant, with some care, used grounds can still make an acceptable cup of joe.

Related article you might like: Why my coffee is watery or weak?

How to maximize flavor and freshness potential when reusing coffee grounds?

Given the flavor limitations, what’s the best way to approach reused coffee to make it taste as good as it can? Here are some tips:

• Mix used grounds with fresh: About 50/50 maintains some aroma and acidity.
• Reserve reuse for cold brew: Steeping mutes acidity and bitterness.
• Use in recipes or with dairy: Milk and sugar masked weaknesses.
• Rinse grounds first if rancid: Quick rinse can remove some oxidation.
• Smell grounds first: Avoid unpleasant odors before brewing.
• Don’t reuse more than twice: Flavor declines sharply after that.
• Manage expectations: Don’t expect richness and brightness.

Getting two uses out of coffee grounds requires both science and art. Treat the grounds properly and adjust methods to extract a reasonably satisfying brew twice, even if not quite as robust as the first.

Troubleshooting problems with reused coffee grounds

Sometimes even with the best handling, reused coffee grounds can still yield some undrinkable results. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

• Watery, under-extracted: Use more grounds, grind finer, brew longer
• Bitter, over-extracted: Use fewer grounds, grind coarser, decrease brew time
• Flat, dull taste: Try blending with some fresh grounds
• Rancid flavors: Discard older grounds as they may be oxidized
• Absorbed odors: Switch storage container material
• No crema on espresso: A sign of staling. Use less reused grounds in the dose.

If you run into any flavor defects like these, go back through and reassess your storage time, ground quantity, grind size, brew time and other factors. Tweak variables systematically to dial in better extraction and taste.

Proper troubleshooting helps minimize negative quality impacts when reusing coffee grounds.

The pros of reusing coffee grounds

Rebrewing coffee grounds comes with some clear advantages:

• Saves money: Get twice the use per amount of grounds.
• Reduces waste: Cuts down on organic waste going to landfills.
• Extracts well enough: With care, still produces drinkable coffee.
• Provides options: Can use less optimal grounds in recipes or cold brew.

For the budget or eco-conscious coffee drinker, reused grounds let you cut down on unnecessary spending and waste. Even if not the freshest and most robust brew, your morning caffeine dose can be covered with a second extraction.

Learn how to remove cafestol from coffee to make the drink healthier.

The cons of reusing coffee grounds

However, there are also some drawbacks to keep in mind:

• Loss of freshness: Flavor and aroma diminishes compared to first use.
• Risk of rancid oils: Grounds may absorb odors or taste oxidized.
• Eventual low quality: More than 2 reuses amplifies defects.
• Extra effort required: Reusing grounds takes more work than starting fresh.

You have to put in additional effort to reuse grounds properly and accept some sacrifice in quality. For many, the savings or sustainability benefits make it worthwhile. But it requires managing expectations and a little extra work.

How to take advantage of coffee residues

Did you know that 60 million tons of coffee waste are thrown away every year?

A recent statistics show each year 500 billion disposable coffee cups are used globally. Out of that, 16 billion single-use coffee cups were thrown away in the United States only.

Remember, a plastic coffee cup can take up to 30 years to break down naturally. Save the World! Reuse coffee residues.

Reusing part of this waste is an ecological gesture that can help us in some aspects of our daily life.

The first thing you must do to be able to use the coffee grounds is to dry them. But how? Very easy, all you have to do is spread them on a smooth surface and leave them there for 24 hours.

You can help the drying process by stirring the coffee every so often to make sure it dries completely. Once dry, we recommend you store it in a tightly closed glass jar.

Why reusing coffee grounds for a second infusion is a bad idea?

Despite the desire to maximize the use of each serving of coffee, it is important to understand why reusing coffee grounds for a second brew is not recommended, find out why:

Compromised flavor: When you reuse coffee, the aromas and essential oils have already been extracted during the first brew. This means that repurposed coffee will be less aromatic and less rich in flavor. It may taste diluted, bland and less pleasant. If you enjoy coffee full of nuance and character, reusing coffee grounds probably won’t give you the satisfying cup of coffee you’re looking for.

A cup of coffee lower in caffeine: Caffeine is water soluble, and most of it is extracted during the first brew. Therefore, when you reuse the coffee, the caffeine content will be significantly reduced. If you’re looking for a stimulating effect or an energy boost, it’s best to brew a fresh cup of fresh coffee. Reusing leftover grounds in the coffee filter won’t give you the same caffeine strength you would get with a regular brew.

High-Quality Coffee: Specialty coffees, sourced from specific regions and processed with care, provide an exceptional taste experience. These coffees are designed to be brewed only once to preserve their delicate aromas and complex flavors. By reusing high-quality coffee, you risk losing many of the characteristics that make it so valuable. Flavors can become bland, and subtle nuances are lost with successive infusions. To fully appreciate the quality of a specialty coffee, it is best to enjoy it freshly prepared.

If you are looking for pour-over coffee makers, do not forget to check the list of the best coffee machines.

Alternative uses of coffee grounds

Coffee grounds, rather than being repurposed for a new brew, can find many interesting and practical uses. Here are some ideas for taking advantage of that coffee residue:

1. A natural exfoliator for the skin:

Its fine and slightly abrasive grains help eliminate dead cells and stimulate blood circulation.

To use, simply mix coffee grounds with a small amount of oil (like olive oil or coconut oil) to form a paste. Then, gently massage your skin with this mixture, paying particular attention to rough or dry areas. Rinse off with lukewarm water and you will get softer, smoother skin.

2. Natural Insect Repellent:

Coffee grounds have a strong odor that can repel some unwanted insects. You can use this property to keep insects away in a natural way. Simply sprinkle dry coffee grounds in areas where you want to deter insects, such as window sills, doorsteps or corners of your garden. Insects such as ants, flies and slugs can be repelled with this simple and environmentally friendly trick.

3. Fertilizer for plants:

Already brewed coffee grounds can be reused as a natural fertilizer for your plants. It still contains an appreciable amount of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for plant growth and development.

There are several ways to use coffee grounds as fertilizer for your plants. First, you can add it to your compost. This is because coffee grounds break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to your compost, improving its overall quality.

You can also mix the coffee grounds directly into the soil of your plants. It is best to incorporate it lightly into the soil, avoiding forming a thick layer on the surface, as this can prevent good air and water circulation. This will allow the nutrients in the coffee grounds to gradually release into the soil, nourishing your plants over time.

Coffee grounds can be used as mulch around your plants. By spreading a thin layer of coffee grounds over the soil, you can help retain moisture, reduce weed growth, and provide additional nutrients to your plants as the coffee grounds break down.

4. Keep Unpleasant Odors Away:

Coffee grounds can be used as a natural air freshener due to their ability to absorb unpleasant odors. Its porous structure allows it to trap the molecules responsible for bad smells. To use it, simply place an open container filled with coffee grounds in the space to be deodorized.

However, coffee grounds do not neutralize odors, they temporarily mask them. It is recommended to replace it regularly to maintain its effectiveness. While this is an eco-friendly and economical option, coffee grounds may be less effective for lingering or strong odors.

5. Clean remains of pans and oven trays

When cooking, some foods stick to pans and oven trays and when cleaning them, soap is not enough to get rid of the remains that have stuck. For this, it is very useful to use the coffee waste, since they are slightly abrasive and with the help of a scourer you can leave all the kitchenware clean and shiny.

6. Get shiny hair

Another beauty use of coffee residues is as an infusion to give shine to black or brown hair. Prepare an infusion with hot water and the coffee grounds, strain it and let it cool.

Once cool, apply to hair after washing and rinse well. The hair will be brighter, stronger and more vigorous. And if you have some gray hair, it will fade.

This tip is not recommended for blonde hair because coffee can dye it.

7. Repair scratches on furniture

The uses of the coffee residue are unlimited and reach the carpentry to repair scratches on your dark wood furniture. Use a damp cotton swab and apply the grounds to the scratches, leave to act for ten minutes and clean the surface with a cotton cloth.

8. Natural dye and paint

The coffee grounds are also used to dye clothes, give color to furniture or paint; the result will always be a dark brown color, but we can achieve multiple artistic effects.

9. Coffee-scented candles

Would you like to have the rich aroma of coffee in your home whenever you want? Get it with homemade coffee candles!

1. Mix liquid paraffin with coffee residue and
2. In a mold (you can use clean jars or tetra bricks) put a wick in the center.
3. Fill the molds with the wick with the mixture of liquid paraffin and coffee. If you dare, you can let your creativity fly and give it an aesthetic effect (like putting paraffin and coffee in layers). The result will be homemade and very decorative candles with a great fragrance.

FAQs: Can you use the same coffee grounds twice?

The Takeaway: Can you use coffee grounds twice?

While reused coffee grounds may never recapture the taste of the original brewing, they can still produce an acceptable cup when handled correctly. Proper storage, brewing adjustments, and mixing with some fresh grounds are key to minimizing the downsides.

Reusing grounds moderately allows you to reduce waste and save some money. Just be realistic about the flavor limitations. With the right handling, you can repeat the mantra: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” for your morning coffee routine.

So don’t feel compelled to automatically throw out those damp grounds after brewing. With some simple tweaks, you can enjoy one or two more cups per batch of coffee and make the most of your beans.

In the meantime check how too much coffee can upset your stomach.