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Food and Entertaining
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Coffee
How to Store Used Coffee Grounds Download Article Co-authored by Emily Bauer
Last Updated: May 3, 2025
Download Article
Drying Used Coffee Grounds in the Sun
|
Baking Used Coffee Grounds in the Oven
|
Storing Used Coffee Grounds
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Q&A
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Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Emily Bauer. Emily Bauer is an Indoor Plant Specialist and the Founder of Bau Land, based in New York City. Bau Land, founded in 2019, is a design studio on a mission to improve people’s relationship with the environment and each other. They research and design solutions to environmental and social issues and create solutions across scales, from products and buildings to public spaces and urban plans. Prior to started Bau Land, she also founded and operated Jungle NYC, a lifestyle company that sold indoor plants and products to bring people closer to nature, no matter where they live. Emily received her Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Cornell University and her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Buffalo. This article has been viewed 77,217 times.
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. By learning how to dry and store used coffee grounds, you can ensure you have a stockpile for your gardening, beauty, and deodorizing needs.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Drying Used Coffee Grounds in the Sun
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1 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. This will help you dry your grounds faster and will reduce the chance of them developing mold [1]XResearch source
2 Place the baking sheet outside in the sun. Try to find a spot that receives sunlight for most of the day. Coffee grounds are often used as a deterrent for neighborhood pests, so you don’t need to worry about critters getting into your grounds.
If you aren’t able to put your baking sheet outside, you can also put it on a counter that receives direct sunlight.
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3 Leave the baking sheet in the sun for 2-3 days. If you are placing your grounds outside, be aware of the weather. If you are experiencing windy conditions or if there is rain in the forecast, remember to bring your grounds back indoors![2]X Expert Source Emily BauerIndoor Plant SpecialistExpert Interview
4 Rotate the grounds and change out the newspaper once a day. This will help make sure the damper grounds on the bottom get moved to the top of the tray.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Baking Used Coffee Grounds in the Oven
Download Article
1 Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C). You may be tempted to crank up the heat to dry your grounds faster, but a low temperature will keep your grounds from burning.
2 Spread your grounds on an unlined baking sheet. Try to make the grounds as level as possible, and keep the grounds no more than 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) thick.
3 Put your tray into the preheated oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the tray and flip your grounds over to help the heat distribute more evenly. Continue baking, checking and flipping your grounds every 10 minutes, until completely dry. Most batches will dry completely in 20-30 minutes. [3]XResearch source
4 Remove your dried grounds from the oven and let them cool completely. You’ll be able to double-check that they have completely dried once they are cool, which is important to do before moving them into containers.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Storing Used Coffee Grounds
Download Article
1 Find an airtight container in which to store your grounds. You can use glass mason jars with lids or airtight plastic containers. [4]XResearch source
If opting to use a plastic container, make sure to invest in one that’s airtight. A normal tupperware container won’t give you that tight close you need to keep your grounds safe.
2 Clean and dry your container completely. Do this before moving your dried grounds from your baking sheet to the container. Any moisture or dirt could contaminate a batch of your newly dried grounds.
3 Fill up your container with your dried grounds using a large spoon or a measuring cup. The fuller the container, the less air the grounds will come into contact with, so don't be afraid to really compact the grounds and fill the container to the brim.
4 Put a strip of newspaper on top of the grounds before sealing the lid. This will help to absorb any potential moisture that may make its way into the space.
5 Store your used grounds in a cool, dry place. Depending on your climate, even airtight containers can still sometimes allow moisture to enter. Keeping the containers cool and dry minimizes that risk.[5]X Expert Source Emily BauerIndoor Plant SpecialistExpert Interview
6 Check your grounds every 1-2 months. This is a time to change out the newspaper strip and check the grounds to make sure they are still dry. If dried and stored properly, your grounds can last for 1-2 years!
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Community Q&A
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Question How long do I need to wait until I can eat the grounds? Community Answer You can't eat coffee grounds, they would not be pleasant and are not edible. If you want to actually eat coffee, you might try making a dessert like tiramisu, coffee-flavored cake or coffee-flavored wafers. Or, you can buy chocolate-covered coffee beans. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
Question How do you know when the grounds are completely dried? How do you know if you've over dried the grounds? Community Answer The grounds are completely dried when they are golden brown. Over-dried grounds would be crumbly and dark. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
Question Can the coffee grounds be stored in the refrigerator? Bill Bill Community Answer The refrigerator is not such a good place for coffee, so do not store coffee in fridge.The fridge is not the place to store coffee in any form, ground or whole bean even if in an airtight container. It isn't cold enough to keep your coffee fresh, and because coffee works as a deodoriser, it will absorb all the aromas in your fridge. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0
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Warnings
If you notice any white or blue discolorations in your grounds, this most likely means they have gone moldy--you will need to dispose of these grounds as they are no longer safe to reuse. [6]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Emily Bauer Indoor Plant Specialist This article was co-authored by Emily Bauer. Emily Bauer is an Indoor Plant Specialist and the Founder of Bau Land, based in New York City. Bau Land, founded in 2019, is a design studio on a mission to improve people’s relationship with the environment and each other. They research and design solutions to environmental and social issues and create solutions across scales, from products and buildings to public spaces and urban plans. Prior to started Bau Land, she also founded and operated Jungle NYC, a lifestyle company that sold indoor plants and products to bring people closer to nature, no matter where they live. Emily received her Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Cornell University and her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Buffalo. This article has been viewed 77,217 times. 69 votes - 89% Co-authors: 3Updated: May 3, 2025 Views: 77,217 Categories: Coffee In other languagesSpanish
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Reader Success Stories
Sabrina Conrad
Mar 18, 2020
"My coffee grounds kept getting moldy and I thought I was doing the proper thing by letting the grounds air dry and then putting them into an airtight container. No! When I searched on Google, your post came up with this very valuable information. Thank you."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Emily Bauer Indoor Plant Specialist Co-authors: 3Updated: May 3, 2025 Views: 77,21789% of readers found this article helpful. 69 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote
Sabrina Conrad
Mar 18, 2020
"My coffee grounds kept getting moldy and I thought I was doing the proper thing by letting the grounds air dry and then putting them into an airtight container. No! When I searched on Google, your post came up with this very valuable information. Thank you."..." more Share yours!
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Download Article Co-authored by Emily Bauer 
How toStore Leftover Coffee 
How toPreserve Dead Flowers 
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Co-authored by: Emily Bauer Indoor Plant Specialist This article was co-authored by Emily Bauer. Emily Bauer is an Indoor Plant Specialist and the Founder of Bau Land, based in New York City. Bau Land, founded in 2019, is a design studio on a mission to improve people’s relationship with the environment and each other. They research and design solutions to environmental and social issues and create solutions across scales, from products and buildings to public spaces and urban plans. Prior to started Bau Land, she also founded and operated Jungle NYC, a lifestyle company that sold indoor plants and products to bring people closer to nature, no matter where they live. Emily received her Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Cornell University and her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Buffalo. This article has been viewed 77,217 times. 69 votes - 89% Co-authors: 3 Updated: May 3, 2025 Views: 77,217 Categories: Coffee In other languagesSpanish 
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1 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. This will help you dry your grounds faster and will reduce the chance of them developing mold [1] 
2 Place the baking sheet outside in the sun. Try to find a spot that receives sunlight for most of the day. Coffee grounds are often used as a deterrent for neighborhood pests, so you don’t need to worry about critters getting into your grounds. 
3 Leave the baking sheet in the sun for 2-3 days. If you are placing your grounds outside, be aware of the weather. If you are experiencing windy conditions or if there is rain in the forecast, remember to bring your grounds back indoors![2] 
4 Rotate the grounds and change out the newspaper once a day. This will help make sure the damper grounds on the bottom get moved to the top of the tray. Advertisement 
1 Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C). You may be tempted to crank up the heat to dry your grounds faster, but a low temperature will keep your grounds from burning. 
2 Spread your grounds on an unlined baking sheet. Try to make the grounds as level as possible, and keep the grounds no more than 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) thick. 
3 Put your tray into the preheated oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the tray and flip your grounds over to help the heat distribute more evenly. Continue baking, checking and flipping your grounds every 10 minutes, until completely dry. Most batches will dry completely in 20-30 minutes. [3] 
4 Remove your dried grounds from the oven and let them cool completely. You’ll be able to double-check that they have completely dried once they are cool, which is important to do before moving them into containers. Advertisement 
1 Find an airtight container in which to store your grounds. You can use glass mason jars with lids or airtight plastic containers. [4] 
2 Clean and dry your container completely. Do this before moving your dried grounds from your baking sheet to the container. Any moisture or dirt could contaminate a batch of your newly dried grounds. 
3 Fill up your container with your dried grounds using a large spoon or a measuring cup. The fuller the container, the less air the grounds will come into contact with, so don't be afraid to really compact the grounds and fill the container to the brim. 
4 Put a strip of newspaper on top of the grounds before sealing the lid. This will help to absorb any potential moisture that may make its way into the space. 
5 Store your used grounds in a cool, dry place. Depending on your climate, even airtight containers can still sometimes allow moisture to enter. Keeping the containers cool and dry minimizes that risk.[5] 
6 Check your grounds every 1-2 months. This is a time to change out the newspaper strip and check the grounds to make sure they are still dry. If dried and stored properly, your grounds can last for 1-2 years! Advertisement 
Community Answer You can't eat coffee grounds, they would not be pleasant and are not edible. If you want to actually eat coffee, you might try making a dessert like tiramisu, coffee-flavored cake or coffee-flavored wafers. Or, you can buy chocolate-covered coffee beans. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5 
Community Answer The grounds are completely dried when they are golden brown. Over-dried grounds would be crumbly and dark. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7 
Bill Bill Community Answer The refrigerator is not such a good place for coffee, so do not store coffee in fridge.The fridge is not the place to store coffee in any form, ground or whole bean even if in an airtight container. It isn't cold enough to keep your coffee fresh, and because coffee works as a deodoriser, it will absorb all the aromas in your fridge. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0 