How to Convert Chopped Chili Pepper to Powder

Chili powder can be used in insect sprays.

Chopped chili peppers work well for some kinds of dishes. Just a tiny amount of chopped chili peppers adds spicy heat. But for dishes such as chili con carne, chili powder is more suitable. Chili powder is also used in some homemade garden dusts and sprays.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels
• Mortar and pestle
• Bowl
• Chopped chili peppers

Instructions

1. Put on rubber gloves before handling chili peppers. Even dried, chopped chili peppers may leave enough volatile oil on your skin to cause pain. Cover your work surface with paper towels for easier cleanup.

2. Place 1 tbsp. of chopped chili peppers into a mortar. Press down on the peppers with the pestle and twist. Keep doing this to grind up the chopped chili peppers.

3. Dump the powder carefully into a clean bowl and repeat the process until you've ground the desired amount.

References

• Fante's: Mortar & Pestle
• EcoLiving Center: Homemade Organic Insect Sprays