What Is A Grinder?

Many people have different ways of enjoying cannabis. Some like to melt the THC crystals into butter, others like to diffuse it into gummies, but most like to smoke it.

What is a Grinder?

Although smoking weed is the quickest and easiest way to intake cannabis, it does present some logistical issues. The first is that you need to be able to fit the bud easily into your vessel before you light it.

This can be a bit of an issue as weed is well known to come in quite large sections called buds and the plant itself is quite sticky, especially when it comes into contact with a warm hand.

As such, can you prepare weed in an easy and practical manner? This is where grinders come into play and people who use or smoke cannabis on the regular will know about them and probably own one. 

But what is a grinder? And what does it have to do with cannabis? Today, we will answer these questions for you and give you a rundown of grinders and their uses. So keep on reading! 

What Is A Grinder?

A grinder is essentially named after its sole purpose, which is useful. It is basically any device used to break down larger pieces of cannabis into smaller ones. It’s not just limited to cannabis either; many other plants also require grinding prior to consumption. 

Grinders are usually made from metal or plastic, although they may also be wooden or ceramic. They are often designed to be portable so that they can be taken anywhere and used whenever needed.

Grinders are very versatile as they can be used for anything from making hash oil to preparing edibles.

However, their main function is to make sure that the cannabis is ready for consumption. If you want to enjoy your weed quickly, then you should consider using a grinder.

This is because big clumps of weed don’t break down easily in any form. This is pretty much the same for anything, cooking a slice of ham is always going to be quicker than cooking a whole hock of ham.

For example, if you are making cannabutter and just throw the whole bud of weed into your cooking and melted butter, the THC will take much longer to diffuse into the butter, than if you split it up into manageable chunks and then cook it. 

How To Use A Grinder

Using a grinder requires only two things, cannabis and a grinder. However, it is important to be aware of what you need to do. Grinders come in two varieties: two part grinders and three part grinders.

The only difference between the two is that three part grinders have a third section that sieves and catches THC crystals, which makes the weed less sticky and makes it easier to clean the grinder. 

Apart from that difference, the basic structure is the same for both types. The grinder has two sections that interlock and turn when pressure is put on them.

Inside each section is a row of spines or teeth which, when the grinder is turned, grind the cannabis until it separates into small chunks. 

You simply need to place your cannabis into the grinder and twist the top while pushing down, until it starts breaking apart. Once this happens, you can remove the ground material and enjoy your newly ground product. 

Considering that grinders are very cheap – most go for $1 – and weed is annoying and difficult to pull apart, most people opt to buy a grinder, rather than try their hand at picking the bud to get their weed. 

How To Clean A Grinder

Cleaning a grinder is simple. Simply wipe out all the nooks and crannies where dirt and residue can collect. Make sure that you wash away any traces of cannabis before you start using it again.

You can use soap, water, and even alcohol wipes to clean off any unwanted particles. Remember though, that alcohol is flammable and could lead to an explosion if placed near heat sources. Always keep this in mind!

What is a Grinder?

If you happen to spill some liquid onto your grinder, then simply rinse it thoroughly under running water and dry it out completely.

You can also run hot water through it if you think that you have done damage. Again, keep in mind that hot water can cause fires, so proceed carefully. 

Most people recommend rinsing the grinder with rubbing alcohol because it leaves no residue behind, but  others prefer to clean their grinder with baking soda.

It works well and doesn’t leave any residue behind. To clean your grinder, first sprinkle it generously with baking soda. Then rub it vigorously with a sponge or brush.

When you are finished, rinse the grinder with warm water. Dry it thoroughly with a towel and store it in a safe place.

The next time you use your grinder, you should find that it functions perfectly. Cleaning a grinder may seem like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. In fact, cleaning one grinder every few weeks or months is actually quite normal.

If you don’t want to clean your grinder regularly, then you can always purchase a new one. This will ensure that you never waste money on buying another one, just because it gets dirty. 

Where Can I Buy A Grinder?

A good grinder is essential. Without one, you won’t be able to properly prepare your cannabis for smoking. Most people recommend getting a grinder that has 3 parts, as they make the process much simpler. 

There are several different models available online, ranging from $10-$60 per piece, but keep in mind you can often get them for far, far cheaper – most go for around $1.

Some people prefer a 2-part grinder, as these tend to be cheaper. Check the reviews before purchasing. 

There are many places where you can get a grinder. Amazon is a great option for finding quality products. Many manufacturers offer free shipping and easy returns.

Another popular way to shop for a grinder is at local head shops, such as Headcase. They usually sell high-quality grinders for very reasonable prices.

Conclusion

A grinder is a great tool to have in your arsenal when you need to prepare cannabis and what’s fantastic about them is that they can be converted into other uses, as long as you clean them. 

Say you need to grind something into a fine powder or crack pepper, you can easily use a grinder. However, most people would just use them to make preparing weed a little easier, which is their primary purpose anyway. 

Thank you for reading!

David Lumis