Grinder Beginners Guide

What a Grinder Does, and How it Can Help Your Session

If you're still using your fingers to separate your herb, then you're leaving a lot of potential for yourself. Literally. You are losing trichomes to your skin, getting an unbalanced burn, and taking up far more time than you need to on something a $15 device can accomplish in three seconds.

A grinder breaks down your dry herb into a consistent and finely textured format that offers better packing, a more balanced burn, and gets the most out of each of your sessions. Whether you are filling a bowl, rolling a joint, or preparing a vaporizer, ground herb works better than whole herb in virtually every case. It's another example of one of those items where once you begin using a grinder, you'll ask yourself why you were using a grinder at all.

How Grinders Function

It's quite simple. Place a nugget between two parts of a grinder that are lined with teeth, close it, and turn. As you turn the teeth will shred the herb into smaller, identical-sized portions that fall through a hole into a container located below the herb chamber. And that is it. Batteries are never used, setup is never required, nor is there a learning curve. Simply, open, fill, turn, empty.

While the teeth themselves do matter, sharp, diamond-shaped teeth allow you to effectively cut through the herb without tearing or mashing the herb. Dull teeth in a low cost grinder tend to mash the herb, creating a sticky mess and inconsistent grind.

2-Piece vs. 3-Piece vs. 4-Piece

This is the largest choice you will make, and it ultimately boils down to whether or not you care about kief.

2-Piece Grinders

The most basic form of a grinder. Simply a top and a bottom — the teeth grind the herb and the resulting grind remains in the same chamber. You simply open the grinder and pour out the ground herb. There is no kief screen, and the herb may sometimes become over-grounded if you twist the grinder too many times because there is no screen to keep the herb from falling through.

These are inexpensive, compact and dead simple. Ideal for someone who wants to grind and go, without over-thinking the process. The downside is you receive absolutely no kief collection, and the herb may sometimes become over-grounded.

3-Piece Grinders

Includes a secondary chamber beneath the teeth that includes a series of holes. Once the herb has been ground down sufficiently to fall through the holes, the herb separates from the larger pieces of herb above. Provides a slightly more refined grind compared to a 2-piece grinder.

However, similar to a 2-piece grinder, there is no kief screen, so the trichomes that fall off during grinding are not collected. These are less common than 2-piece and 4-piece grinders — most users choose to go simple or go all-in.

4-Piece Grinders

The preferred method of most users. Four different parts — the lid with the teeth, the grinding chamber with holes, the collection chamber that contains the ground herb, and the bottom kief catcher with a very fine mesh screen that allows trichrome crystals to fall through and into the bottom compartment.

As you grind the trichome crystals that fall through the screen collect in the bottom compartment, creating a layer of trichomes that you can add to your next bowl, press into hash, or save for later. In essence, it is a bonus for using a grinder.

A 4-piece grinder is the ideal choice for most users. The kief catcher provides a benefit that outweighs the higher cost of the additional components.

Materials Used to Construct Grinders

Aluminum

The most commonly used and most recommended material. Aluminum grinders are lightweight, durable and maintain their sharpness for a long time. Aluminum does not rust, is easily cleaned and is relatively inexpensive. All high-quality grinders within the price range of $15-$40 are constructed of aluminum, and this is the optimal price point for most users.

Important Note: Make certain that your grinder is anodized. An anodized coating prevents aluminum particles from entering the herb.

Zinc Alloy

Budget friendly, heavier than aluminum and functional for light to moderate use. Zinc alloy grinders' teeth dull quicker than aluminum and some zinc alloy grinders release small metal shavings when heavily used. A good choice for a user who wishes to try a grinder prior to committing to a higher-quality product made of aluminum.

Titanium

High-end products. More durable and stronger than aluminum, virtually indestructible teeth and a longer life expectancy. However, significantly more expensive. Not recommended unless you plan to grind herb on a daily basis for several years and desire a product that will outlive everything else.

Wood and Acrylic

You will find these types of grinders occasionally at lower prices. While wood grinders appear attractive, they are difficult to clean and offer a poor grind consistency. Acrylic is the least expensive type of grinder available and generally breaks easily, dulls quickly and accumulates debris rapidly.

What Size Grinder Is Right for You?

Grinders are typically offered in three different sizes — small (approximately 1.5-2 inches), medium (approximately 2-2.5 inches) and large (approximately 3+ inches).

Small grinders are compact, convenient to carry and ideal for on-the-go use; however, you will be grinding in batches if you are filling more than one bowl. Medium grinders are the most widely purchased due to their ability to accommodate sufficient amounts of herb for 2-3 bowls or 1-2 joints. Large grinders are intended for users who grind a substantial amount of herb at once (such as pre-loading for the week or rolling numerous joints). They are less portable than medium grinders but more efficient for heavy-duty users.

In general, a medium 2.5 inch grinder is an excellent all-around grinder that meets most users' needs. It is compact enough to fit in a pocket if needed, holds sufficient herb for a session, and is not oversized for regular use.

Obtaining the Optimal Grind

Select a grind that complements your consumption method. A medium grind works well for most bowls and joints — not too fine and not too chunky. For a dry herb vaporizer, select a finer grind as vaporizers operate more efficiently when the herb has a greater surface area for the hot air to travel through. For a bong or pipe, select a slightly coarser grind to avoid the herb from flowing through the hole.

Twisting the grinder multiple times also affects the grind. Typically, 5-7 twists are sufficient for bowls and pipes, while 10-15 twists are more suitable for vaporizers and joints. Be cautious not to over-twist as excessive twisting causes the herb to become powdery and results in plugged screens and rapid pull-through of herb in bowls.

To increase the quantity of kief that falls through the screen, place a small coin (i.e., a dime) in the herb chamber. When you shake the grinder after grinding, the coin causes the kief to fall through the screen.

Cleaning Your Grinder

A dirty grinder is a sticky and difficult to turn grinder. Over time, the teeth and kief screen accumulate residue, making the grinder more difficult to use and less effective.

For a basic cleaning, place the grinder in the freezer for 30 minutes. The cold temperature makes the sticky residue brittle, allowing you to knock it loose or brush it away with a small brush or toothbrush. Additionally, the cold helps to shake loose any captured kief, thus perform this operation over a clean surface.

For an extreme cleaning, disassemble the grinder and submerge the components in isopropyl alcohol for 20-30 minutes. Use a small brush to scrub the components, followed by rinsing them in warm water and drying thoroughly. Perform this operation at least once per month for heavy users.

NEVER place a metal grinder in a dishwasher. The heat and chemicals in a dishwasher can damage the anodized coating on an aluminum grinder.

How Much Money Are You Willing To Spend On a Grinder?

Under $10: Acrylic or budget friendly zinc. Fine for trying to determine if you enjoy grinding prior to investing in a quality grinder.

$15-$30: The sweet spot. Quality 4-piece grinders made of aluminum with sharp teeth, smooth threads and a kief catcher. Most users spend in this price range and stay here.

$30-$60: High-end aluminum or titanium grinders. Better construction, smoother operation, and finer mesh screen for kief. Recommended for heavy users.

Over $60: Luxury. Brands offering lifetime guarantees, precise engineering, and premium materials. Great to have, but a $25 grinder performs approximately 90% of the functions of a $75 grinder.

Quick List

Type: 4-piece with kief catcher. The standard for a reason.

Material: Aluminum with an anodized coating.

Size: 2.5 inches. Ideal for a majority of users who wish to grind a variety of herbs.

Budget: $15-$30. Offers the most value for money spent.

Maintenance: Monthly freeze and brush. ISO-soak as needed to maintain performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a grinder?

Aluminum. Lightweight, durable, maintains its sharpness and is affordable. Ensure that it has an anodized coating to ensure that aluminum particles do not enter your herb. Titanium is technically superior, but costs significantly more for minimal improvements.

Must I purchase a 4-piece grinder?

You do not require a 4-piece grinder, but you will likely want one. The kief catcher collects trichrome crystals over time providing a more potent and free kief stash. The added cost of the additional components is typically only a few dollars, and the benefits provided by the kief catcher are worth the investment.

How do I clean a clogged kief screen?

Freeze the grinder for 30 minutes. Tap the grinder gently against a solid object and brush the screen with a small, stiff brush or toothbrush. The cold brittle sticks on the screen will easily fall loose. In cases of severe clogging, submerge the screen component in isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes and brush again.

How fine should I grind my herb?

Reliant on the method of consumption. Medium grind for bowls and joints, fine grind for dry herb vaporizers, and a bit coarser for bongs to prevent the herb from flowing through the hole. Approximately 5-7 twists for bowls and pipes, 10-15 twists for vaporizers and joints.

What is the purpose of the coin trick?

Insert a small coin in the herb chamber of your 4-piece grinder. Shake the grinder after grinding and the coin will push additional trichrome crystals through the kief screen, thereby increasing the quantity of kief collected. A dime or nickel works best.