Cannabis grinders can fill up with sticky residue.- Keeping your grinder clean increases its effectiveness and ensures bacteria doesn't accumulate.
A grinder is one of the most important tools in the cannabis enthusiasts' toolbelt.
You can technically break up bud by hand, but using a grinder breaks down dense cannabis nugs into fine pieces of the same size and consistency, which is ideal whether you're twisting up a joint, packing a vape, pipe or bong, or making cannabutter.
But here's the thing about cannabis grinders: They tend to get clogged up with plant residue. And all that sticky, built-up gunk can make it difficult to get a smooth grind. What's worse? Over time, bacteria and mold can start accumulating (cannabis is organic matter, after all), and no one wants to smoke that.
That's why it's important to clean your grinder every now and then. Here's how.
Know your type of grinder
Grinders come in many shapes and sizes, but in general, they resemble the shape of a puck. Grinders can be made from plastic, wood, or metal — including zinc, aluminum, or stainless steel — with metal being the easiest to clean and upkeep.
In terms of size, grinders range from simple two-piece grinders to multi-chambered grinders. Multi-chambered grinders typically also come with a bottom chamber with a mesh screen that's designed to separate a portion of the cannabis trichomes (also known as "kief") from the rest of the ground material.
Important: Kief is the powdery substance of loose cannabis trichomes that is accumulated from sifting cannabis flowers with a mesh screen, and it's worth saving before
Why clean your grinder?
Depending on how often you consume cannabis, grinders can see a lot of use. Over time, the teeth-grinding mechanisms can become sticky, and less effective.
"If you don't keep hand grinders clean, you're going to be covering up the edges of the cutting blades," says Dave Richmond, CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of Banana Bros, adding that "residue from previous grinding takes away from the efficiency of the blades and that results in ripping and clumping the material." We want to avoid clumpy cannabis, as it makes the burn less even and less flavorful, says Richmond.
"Another major reason you should keep your grinder clean is that cannabis is a biomaterial," says Richmond. Plant matter sitting in the grinder has the potential for mold growth.
Overall, using a grinder makes for a better smoking (or baking) experience. In addition to getting smoother, more consistent burn, ground weed also leads to richer flavor and aroma. Last but not least, grinders make it easier to conserve your herb.
How to clean a cannabis grinder
Clean your grinder whenever you notice build up of material. Richmond also recommends a nylon brush to sweep material out of the grinder or get any material that may get stuck on the blades.
What you need
- 90%-99% isopropyl alcohol
- A pipe cleaner or nylon brush
- Paper towels
- A large Tupperware or resealable plastic bag
Instructions
1. Disassemble the grinder. Open up all the chambers of the grinder to separate them.
2. Remove any leftover plant material. Before you get started, dump out any leftover herb. If your grinder has a chamber for collecting kief, use the small scraper that came with the grinder (these typically look like a tiny putty knife) to extract the kief from the grinder. Store the kief in an airtight glass container, separate from your main stash.
3. Soak the grinder in isopropyl alcohol. Place the pieces of the grinder in a bath of isopropyl alcohol. You can use a tupperware or a resealable bag. Make sure all pieces are submerged. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, then remove the grinder pieces.
4. Rinse and scrub the grinder. After removing the pieces from the alcohol bath, rinse your grinder with hot water. If needed, use a pipe cleaner or small nylon brush to scour any remaining gunk.
5. Let it dry. Dry the grinder for a few hours on a paper towel or dish towel. Be sure it's all the way dry before you use it again.
Insider's takeaway
It's easy to keep your weed grinder clean and makes for a healthier, more enjoyable smoking experience. By cleaning it with items easily found around the house, your grinder will last for years. A simple half-hour to an hour long isopropyl bath does the trick. Scraping out any residual plant matter and then drying it in the sun will make your grinder as good as new.