Below, find out all there is to know about weed grinders, how they work, and why they're so important when smoking or vaping flower.
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What is a weed grinder?
Popularized in the 1960s, grinders are used to break down dense cannabis buds to a finer consistency that you can then roll into a joint, blunt, or pack into a bowl. They're used primarily to improve the smoking experience by breaking down flower evenly, and using one decreases the likelihood of clogging your pipe.
Like everything else these days, grinders have become a bit more advanced with automatic options, as well as multiple parts to twist and catch kief, so nothing goes to waste. And, if cared for properly, they can last you for years to come.
Parts of a grinder
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Grinders may be made from metal, plastic, or wood, with some assembled in as many as five pieces.
- Two-piece grinders include a lid and grinder bottom (also called a bud catcher)
- Three-piece grinders have a lid, grinding chamber, and storage chamber
- Four- and five-piece grinders come with a lid, grinder bottom, storage catcher, and one or two kief catchers
The addition of a kief catcher can inspire some creative uses for the collected kief. You can press it into hash or rosin, sprinkle some into a favorite recipe, or roll your joint in kief for an extra potent kick.
If you prefer a simpler structure, go for a flat grinder that resembles a cheese grater and can fit right in your pocket. There are also electric and battery-operated options if you want your weed ready at the touch of a button.
Types of weed grinders
The two main types of grinders are manual (hand-cranked) and automatic (electric or battery-powered).
- Manual grinders: You can find a basic hand-cranked grinder for as little as $15 online, including on sites such as Etsy, where some artists offer customized options with your name or favorite phrase engraved. There are also plenty of hand-cranked mini grinders that cost less than $25.
- Automatic grinders: Grinders with three or more components may cost as little as $25 and go all the way up to $200 or more. For example, the handheld, battery-operated E-shredder from Aux Tools retails for $199.99. Other automatic grinders, such as the Mamba Electric Herb Grinder, sell at a much lower price point.
How to use a weed grinder
Time needed: 5 minutes.
Most grinders come with its parts already assembled. For automatic grinders, you'll usually fill up the chamber, press a button, then release the ground herb when it's finished. Follow these step-by-step instructions for using a manual weed grinder.
- Remove the lid.
Remove the lid to your grinder.
- Break up the weed.
Use your hands to break your cannabis flower into smaller, pea-sized pieces.
- Add weed to the grinder.
Place these pieces into the teeth of the grinding chamber.
- Grind the weed.
Place the lid back on top of the grinder, press down, and start twisting the lid clockwise and counterclockwise until you can feel the grinder twist freely without catching on any cannabis pieces.
- Collect the ground weed.
Remove the lid and grinding chamber to collect your fresh herb. You can choose to unload the kief catcher and sprinkle whatever is in there into your bowl, joint, or blunt, or continue collecting the kief and save for another day.
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Tips for using a grinder
Whether you buy a manual or automatic grinder, the process of grinding weed is fairly straightforward. Consider a few expert tips to get the best output from your herb grinder:
- Be gentle. You don't have to exert much force when twisting a manual grinder. About a dozen steady turns should get you the perfect weed grind on a well-maintained grinder with sharp blades. It's also important not to overfill the grinder. You can always go back for a second round to avoid taxing the grinder.
- Turn it upside down. If you want a super fine grind, remove the kief chamber, turn the grinder upside down, grind, and then put the kief chamber back in place after you grind. This technique prevents the buds from dropping into the bottom chamber, allowing for finer grinding and resulting in smoother ground weed.
How to clean a grinder
As with other cannabis accessories, like water pipes and ash catchers, it's crucial to keep a grinder clean. A soft cloth and brush should do the trick, but avoid abrasive materials like scrubbing pads, which can damage a grinder.
Below, check out how to clean a grinder.
What you'll need:
- Sandwich or quart-sized ziploc bag
- Coarse salt
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Warm water
How to clean:
- Step 1: Disassemble grinder.
- Step 2: Place all grinder parts in ziploc bag and cover with coarse salt.
- Step 3: Pour in Isopropyl Alcohol until the grinder is almost fully submerged. Finish off with a little warm water.
- Step 4: Shake the bag vigorously until all the sticky particles and gunk have dissolved or broken off the grinder. It's best to do this step over a sink.
- Step 5: Once the grime has dissolved, remove the grinder parts from the bag, rinse with warm water, then let air dry.
This basic maintenance can help your grinder last longer and allow you to enjoy a smooth cannabis experience every time.
What are the benefits of using a grinder?
Grinders offer many benefits when it comes to the smoking or vaping experience.
- Consistency: Evenly ground flower offers a consistent smoke that should give you a more even-keeled high.
- Potency: You can choose to smoke the kief or save it for a rainy day; either way, grinding flower lets you control the potency.
- Ease of use: Without a grinder, many consumers find themselves using scissors, cheese graters, or their hands in order to break up weed, which can result in uneven buds that may not burn evenly or aren't fine enough to use in dry-herb vaporizers.
Grinders come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you buy one for its design or durability, it's an important addition to any stash box — especially if you prefer to consume cannabis in its natural form.
Bottom line
An herb grinder requires a minimal financial investment (as low as $15) and can last for years with proper use and upkeep.