How to Clean a Grinder After Using It for Weed
Learn the best steps to clean your grinder effectively after using it for weed, ensuring hygiene and preserving the flavor of your herbs.
How to use a grinder
Load 0.5 g to 1 g of dried cannabis flower into the top chamber. Close the lid. Turn the lid 5 to 10 full turns. Open the middle chamber and collect the ground flower. A 4-piece grinder also collects kief in the bottom chamber. Clean the grinder after every 1 to 2 g of flower.
What a grinder does
A grinder cuts flower into pieces. Piece size ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm. Smaller pieces burn hotter and release THC faster. Larger pieces burn slower. Ground flower packs into a joint, pipe, or vaporizer with an even density.
What you need
- 2-piece, 3-piece, or 4-piece grinder. Metal (aluminum or stainless steel) lasts longer than plastic.
- Dried cannabis flower. Moisture content near 58% to 62% relative humidity.
- Small tray or paper. Ground flower falls out of the chamber.
- Isopropyl alcohol, 91% or higher, and a small brush for cleaning.
Step-by-step
- Break large buds into pieces that fit the top chamber. Do not fill past the teeth.
- Place the lid on the grinder. Hold the base with one hand.
- Turn the lid 5 to 10 turns. Stop when the flower moves without resistance.
- Tap the grinder on a hard surface. Unscrew the middle chamber.
- Collect ground flower with a small scoop or your fingers.
- For a 4-piece grinder, unscrew the bottom chamber to collect kief. Kief is the resin gland powder.
Grind size by method
- Joint or blunt: 2 mm to 3 mm. Medium grind.
- Dry herb vaporizer: 1 mm to 3 mm. Fine to medium grind. Convection vaporizers work best with a medium grind.
- Pipe or one-hitter: 2 mm to 4 mm. Coarse grind.
- Bong or water pipe: 3 mm to 5 mm. Coarse grind. Airflow stays open.
Cleaning
Resin builds on the teeth and screen. Soak metal parts in 91% isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes. Brush the teeth with a stiff brush. Rinse with warm water. Dry for 1 hour before use. Do not soak plastic grinders in alcohol. Alcohol can crack the plastic.
how to grind cannabis properly with a grinder
Storage
Keep ground flower in an airtight glass jar. Store the jar in a dark place at 60 F to 70 F. Add a humidity pack to hold 58% to 62% relative humidity. Ground flower dries faster than whole buds. Use ground flower within 1 to 2 weeks.
Common mistakes
- Overfilling the chamber. The lid will jam.
- Grinding wet flower. Wet flower sticks to the teeth.
- Using a coffee grinder. It cuts too fine and removes trichomes.
- Skipping the clean. A clogged screen blocks kief collection.
Safety and law
Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older in some US states. Check your state law before you buy, possess, or use cannabis. Do not drive after use. Do not use cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep cannabis away from children and pets.