How to use a grinder? A step by step guide

How to use herb grinder

A grinder is one of the most essential tools anyone who consumes cannabis can have in their arsenal. Whether you vape, smoke, or infuse your herbs, properly preparing them with the help of a grinder can vastly improve your overall experience.

Using a grinder is not only beneficial to your overall experience, they are incredibly easy to use! Simply add your herbs and give it a few turns for finer consistency that will burn more evenly and efficiently.

If you’re new to cannabis, you likely have a few more questions about herb grinders, like how to use a grinder properly. This comprehensive guide on grinders will teach you everything you need to know to get started.

What is a Grinder?

As the name suggests, a grinder is a tool designed to speed up and simplify the process of breaking up your herbs into a fine consistency.

The most basic style of these palm-sized tools consist of two interlocking halves with sharp teeth that can be used to shred up material.

Types of Grinders

While the basic mechanics of the grinder have remained the same throughout the years, since being adopted by cannabis consumers, additions have been made to the design to increase efficiency. 

Today, grinders come in many shapes and sizes.

Two-Piece Grinder

A single chamber grinder only has two pieces and is as simple as grinders get. They have two lids each with teeth that you twist it in opposite directions until the bud is ground up.

Three-Piece Grinder

A three stage grinder has an additional third chamber which catches the ground up weed as it falls through holes in the center piece. 

This is an upgrade over the two-piece grinder because you do not have to tap out your weed onto a table therefore it leaves less mess.

Four-Piece Grinder

A four-piece grinder is basically the same as a two-chamber except it has an extra screw-on chamber at the bottom that is designed to collect kief. Kief comes from the trichomes on the bud which is the frosty part of the nug.

Step 1: Load the Grinder

How does grinder work? To load a grinder, place your herb into the top chamber. Don’t overstuff the chamber because then you won’t be able to twist it properly. 

If you have a larger dried herb grinder, you can put in larger amounts of herb. For smaller grinders, you may have to manually break down the herb a bit with your hands before placing it into the shredder for better functionality.

Step 2: Grind the Herbs

Once the material is properly loaded in the top compartment, reattach the top piece and turn it in the opposite direction of the bottom portion to break down the herb. 

There are also electric grinders that can break down and grind herb with a touch of a button. 

Step 3: Collect your Herbs

Separate the grinding chamber from the collection chamber and scoop out your newly ground material. Be careful not to damage the screen if you’re using a four-piece grinder.

If this is your first grind, you may not have much kief, but you can separate the kief chamber from the collection chamber to see for yourself. 

At this point, the sky’s the limit on what you can do with your ground materials.

Tips for Using an Herb Grinder

After a few uses, you’ll get the hang of your grinder and figure out what produces the best finished product. Here are just a few tips:

• Opt for an aluminum or zinc grinder (Our Pick: Aerospace Grinder) 

• Get one with plenty of teeth and holes

• Grinder will always be superior in the grinder vs fingers debate

• Don’t overfill the grinding chamber 

• Turn the grinder upside down for a few turns

• Put a clean coin in the collection chamber to help knock the kief through the screen

• A fine herb grind is essential for a vaporizer versus more coarse for glass pipes & bongs

• 4-piece grinders will ensure you collect all that delicious kief in the bottom catcher

Check out - How To Choose A Herb Grinder