# Static electricity is ruining my coffee! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** coffee\ **Created:** [May 9, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445 "2016-05-09T22:16:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/1 "2016-05-09T22:16:43Z")
Well, it’s annoying me a little bit. I grind the beans in a burr grinder, which imparts an electric charge to the grounds and makes them cling to the sides of the grinder receptacle. If I try to pour them into the espresso basket, they go everywhere and make a mess. I can’t scoop them out because they’re stuck to the sides. The charge disappears if I let them sit a while, but I like it fresh. Any ideas? Should I be making my coffee in a Faraday cage? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/2 "2016-05-09T23:20:42Z")
wrap a fabric softener sheet around the outside of the receptacle? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/3 "2016-05-09T23:29:36Z")
[Dryer sheets](http://home.howstuffworks.com/dryer-sheets.htm) would have to actively touch the grounds or the walls of the container, probably with heat applied to make any difference. None of those things would be good for the coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/4 "2016-05-10T02:05:31Z")
I’m going to [suggest this grinder](http://www.faema.ca/Mazzer-Mini-Electronic-Coffee-Grinder-p/m12-002.htm). I have no idea if it solves your problem but Holy Crap, a $1300 coffee grinder :eek: ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/5 "2016-05-10T03:52:17Z")
Dump the grinder receptacle contents into another container first, and then scoop the ground beans out of that container. It helps greatly if you always some grinds in that container, so when you do for the first time do at least two batches. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/6 "2016-05-10T03:57:38Z")
I brush mine into the receptacle with a little brush made for the purpose (I got it from Starbucks). Would that work? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/7 "2016-05-10T04:08:57Z")
Sounds like your grounds aren’t properly grounded. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/8 "2016-05-10T13:38:55Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Sounds like your grounds aren’t properly grounded. I was going to suggest one of those [straps](http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-935/Grounders-Static-Control-Equipment/Personal-Grounder-Wrist-Strap-Fabric?pricode=WY626&gadtype=pla&id=H-935&gclid=CInSkM3Qz8wCFQqKaQodKFAE5Q&gclsrc=aw.ds) we were supposed to wear when dealing with MOSFETs and stuff. Wrap it around the grinder. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/9 "2016-05-10T14:22:25Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Sounds like your grounds aren’t properly grounded. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/10 "2016-05-10T14:31:23Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > Dump the grinder receptacle contents into another container first, and then scoop the ground beans out of that container. It helps greatly if you always some grinds in that container, so when you do for the first time do at least two batches. I usually dump it into a tupperware container because it’s a little easier to scoop from and I usually have a little bit left over. But it doesn’t make much difference - it just clings to the sides of whatever I dump it in. Maybe there’s a better material that would dissipate the charge? I don’t like grinding double because I want (most of) the grounds to be fresh. > [@ENugent](#): > > I brush mine into the receptacle with a little brush made for the purpose (I got it from Starbucks). Would that work? I’d think the brush would, if anything, add charge through more friction. Does it seem to work for you? > [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’m going to [suggest this grinder](http://www.faema.ca/Mazzer-Mini-Electronic-Coffee-Grinder-p/m12-002.htm). I have no idea if it solves your problem but Holy Crap, a $1300 coffee grinder :eek: Hmmm, I think it might clash with my gold-plated espresso machine and diamond-encrusted cups. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/11 "2016-05-10T14:34:49Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I was going to suggest one of those [straps](http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-935/Grounders-Static-Control-Equipment/Personal-Grounder-Wrist-Strap-Fabric?pricode=WY626&gadtype=pla&id=H-935&gclid=CInSkM3Qz8wCFQqKaQodKFAE5Q&gclsrc=aw.ds) we were supposed to wear when dealing with MOSFETs and stuff. Wrap it around the grinder. I’d think the grinder is already pretty well grounded. Maybe around whatever I pour the grounds into? Would it help if I pour it into something conductive? (And if this works, I’ll cut you in on the profits of the Grinder Grounder®.) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/12 "2016-05-10T14:36:45Z")
And no traditional dosing hopper! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/13 "2016-05-10T14:52:48Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’d think the grinder is already pretty well grounded. Does it plug into the wall, or does it have a crank? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/14 "2016-05-10T14:57:26Z")
It’s an electric grinder. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/15 "2016-05-10T15:03:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > It’s an electric grinder. If the plug has only two prongs, and they are the same size, try turning the plug over. I doubt that the container is grounded, and it probably shouldn’t be. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/16 "2016-05-10T15:07:57Z")
What if you stuck a coil of aluminum foil or copper wire in the bin? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/17 "2016-05-10T16:53:10Z")
I don’t think that grounding something that has 220v in it is a good idea. 🙂 Let’s forget that. How about touching it to the faucet before you grind? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/18 "2016-05-10T18:14:27Z")
What if you oiled the grinder before you ground? People like to put coconut oil in their coffee, perhaps you could put a dab of coconut oil in the grinder, give it a whirl, then put your beans in there and see if it all comes out smoothly? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/19 "2016-05-10T18:50:25Z")
We use a little brush to get our grounds out of the grinder. Never had a problem with it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445/20 "2016-05-10T19:40:04Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > We use a little brush to get our grounds out of the grinder. Never had a problem with it. Just make sure you always wipe to the left. Unless you’re feeling frisky, of course. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445.md?page=2)