Grinding weed is an essential part of the cannabis smoking experience. It’s a simple process that helps you get the most out of your bud, improve the overall functionality of your bongs, joints and vapes and enjoy the full flavour and effect of your favourite strains. In this article, we dive into the world of grinders to help you when you're looking to buy a grinder. We look at what they are, how to use them, the different types and their benefits to your overall smoking experience.
What Is A Weed Grinder?
A weed grinder is an essential tool for any cannabis enthusiast. It is used to grind cannabis buds into a smoother consistency, making it easier to roll joints and pack bowls. A bud grinder or tobacco grinder has a spherical design and usually consists of two to five pieces which are connected by magnets or a similar mechanism.
The pieces stack on top of each other to form a round shape, allowing you turn them smoothly to grind your buds. There are sharp grinding teeth or blades on one of the pieces and this is where you place your buds to be ground into a fine, fluffy and even consistency. A grinder for weed also tends to have a kief catcher, which collects small, crystallised particles of cannabis resin, allowing for an even more potent smoking experience.
Why Should I Use A Grinder?
A weed grinder is an essential tool that should be in every stoner’s smoking kit for several reasons:
1. Easy To Pack & Roll
A specialised grinder for bud turns your weed into a lighter and more even consistency. It makes it easier to manage and use your ground cannabis. Whether you’re using your cannabis for joint filling, bongs or vapes, your ground up weed is simpler to roll and pack in bowls, pipes or vapes.
2. Releases Active Ingredients
Grinding your weed releases more of the active ingredients in your bud making it more flavourful, aromatic and potent. Utilising the kief catcher also allows you to easily collect kief which can be used as an extra potent concentrate or for topping bowls and joints.
3. Save Flower
Grinding your weed helps you to use your flower more efficiently. When the buds are in smaller pieces, you can get more out of your flower and stretch it for longer. This is especially beneficial for those who are on a budget and want to get the most out of their weed
4. Consistent Results
When you use the same weed grinder repeatedly, you’ll know exactly how much bud you’ll require for the perfect bowl or joint.
5. It’s Fast
A weed grinder helps break down the buds quickly and evenly ensuring an optimal smoking experience. Hand-grinding cannabis can take a long time and the results are often inconsistent and uneven. Using a grinder makes the process faster and more efficient.
How Does A Weed Grinder Work?
A weed grinder typically consists of two to four pieces that fit together. The top piece typically has 'teeth' or blades that are used to grind the cannabis. When using a grinder, place your buds inside the top chamber and twist the top piece. This will cause the teeth to grind your flowers into smaller, fluffier particles which fall through the holes of the top piece and are collected into the next chamber. The bottom piece usually has a pollen or kief catcher which collects the extra potent tiny particles from your grind called kief.
What Is Kief?
Kief is a fine powdery substance found in the bottom chamber of a weed grinder - also known as a 'kief collector'. Kief consists of the trichomes, which are sticky, crystal-like resin glands that live on the surface of your bud. The small compartment at the bottom of a four-piece grinder collects these powdery trichomes which fall off your buds when they’re ground up. It’s a potent form of cannabis that is high in can be sprinkled atop a bowl or joint for an extra kick. The process of collecting kief can take some time using a grinder, but it's worth it for the quality and potency of the kief you get in the end.
How Do You Clean A Weed Grinder?
Cleaning your grinder is important to maintaining its performance and to ensure it remains free of bacteria and mould. Cleaning a weed grinder is a simple process that requires only a few materials. First, start by taking apart the grinder and separate the different parts, such as the lid, chamber and teeth. Next, rinse the parts in warm soapy water or rubbing alcohol to get rid of any residue and keep the grinder clean. Finally, to dry the parts, let them air dry on a clean towel. This should ensure that your weed grinder is clean and ready to use.
What Are Common Weed Grinder Sizes?
Weed grinders come in a variety of sizes ranging from 40mm – 90mm in diameter and from two to five pieces. Generally, the most common weed grinder size is between 50mm and 60mm. There are many types of grinders including:
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2 Piece Grinder
A 2 piece grinder is the original style for shredding up bud. It's made up of two separate pieces with some diamond teeth that'll grind up any herb. It's not like the fancier grinders with chambers for catching your goods - these are basic and cheap and are usually made from acrylic.
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3 Piece Grinder
A 3 piece grinder is awesome because they have a top, bottom and middle piece. The top and the middle section of a 3 piece grinder is where the magic happens - that's where your herb gets chopped up and ready to go. The bottom chamber is like a handy storage area, so you can take ground-up marijuana with you when you're out and about. Plus, the two grinding parts make it simpler to get a finer consistency with a 3 piece grinder.
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4 Piece Grinder
Unlike a 3 piece grinder, a 4 piece grinder has four pieces: top, bottom and two middles. The lid has the sharp teeth for grinding. The second piece is the bottom with holes and teeth that ensure a smooth, consistent and high-grade pulverisation. The third piece is a mesh screen that holds your herbs and filters out the finest particles known to stoners as 'golden dust' or kief. This valuable weed powder collects in the fourth chamber and is ready for you to use whenever you need it.
Types Of Grinders
Grinders are made from a variety of materials each with their own advantages and disadvanatges. Some grinder types include acrylic grinders, metal grinders,
Acrylic Grinder
An acrylic grinder may not be the most high-end option out there, but if you need to grind on the go, they'll do the job. They're cheap grinders, are convenient and you don't have to stress if you lose or break it. An acrylic grinder also doesn't have the sharpest teeth and they can chip after too much use. But, if you're looking for a quality grinder that won't blow your stash, check out Bud's wicked range from Glass Bongs Australia. They'll get the job done without breaking the bank. Plus, the colours available make them a cute weed grinder option for yourself or a friend.
Metal Grinders
Metal grinders are reliable and very popular. Just about every smoking brand's got a metal weed grinder in their collection. They're totally affordable and are way stronger than a cheap acrylic grinder or a plastic grinder. You can get metal grinders to fit any budget, so it's the perfect starter grinder if you're new to smoking. Even if you're an old hand at it, you can never have too many metal grinders.
Ceramic Grinder
If you're over your sticky herb clogging up your grinder and making it grind to a snail's pace, than a ceramic grinder is just the thing for you! The SLX grinder and other top brands have created awesome herb grinders with ceramic coating that work flawlessly - especially if you're grinding larger quantities of herb. They may cost more than regular metal grinders but it's totally worth it if you're fed up with sluggish and sticky grinders.
Electric Weed Grinder
An electric herb grinder is not exactly the most portable weed crusher options, but they sure are an awesome way to chop all your herbs in record time. Plus, you don't have to worry about wasting any bud. They've got a pulse button that lets you be precise with your chopping and you'll get your herbs ground to a super soft, fluffy texture - way better than what you'd get from a manual grinding experience. Plus, the lid will usually catch any dust residue.
Stainless Steel Grinder
A stainless steel grinder is awesome when it comes to quality. They're regarded as the best weed grinder beause of their durability. A stainless steel grinder is heavier than a typical metal grinder, but also more pricey than a aluminum grinder - yet it's sure to stand the test of time. The threads on a stainless steel grinder are super cool, with multi-leads to stop cross-threading and let you take it apart with a few turns. Plus, the stainless steel grinder has sharp, solid grinding teeth that'll make short work of even the biggest, densest buds. No matter if your herb is sticky or dry, it'll be ground up in no time making for a wonderful grinding experience. Plus, stainless steel is a cinch to clean! If you got the funds, you can't go wrong with a stainless steel grinder - it'll stay with you through thick and thin and improve your grinding efficiency.
Wood Grinder
A wood grinder looks so fire! Whether it's Marley Natural or any other brand, they're always getting creative with their designs and adding the coolest details. Plus, a wood grinder lasts forever and feels smooth in your hands when you're grinding up your herbs. Get a wood grinder for yourself or give one as a gift to your homie - it's always a good look.
Titanium Grinder
If you're looking for top-notch grindage, you can't go wrong with a titanium grinder. They may not be the most affordable option, but they sure are worth it - they're strong and sharp!
What Do Grinders Come With?
Cannabis or tobacco grinders usually come with a few extra pieces depending on the type of grinder. Many grinders come with a small tool or brush that helps you remove any ground-up cannabis stuck in or around the teeth. When you choose a four or five piece herb grinder, you’ll often get a kief collector with it. The kief collector acts as a storage facility for all your dusty trichomes that have fallen off your bud during the grinding process which are extremely potent and act as a fantastic topper for your bowl or joint.
Conclusion
Grinding your weed is an essential part of the cannabis experience. It helps to make your weed more potent, flavourful, and aromatic, as well as makes it easier to roll joints and use your flower more efficiently. There are many different types and sizes of grinders available, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. For high-quality and affordable weed grinders, check out Glass Bongs Australia.
