Grinding is the step everybody rushes. Throw it in, twist a few times, done. But how you grind decides how your weed burns. Too chunky and it burns unevenly and goes out. Too fine and it burns hot, gets pulled through the bowl, and clogs a joint. A little care here makes everything after it better.
Why Grinding Matters
- Even burn. Same-sized pieces burn at the same rate, so no canoeing joints or half-burned bowls.
- Better flavor. An even burn is a cooler burn, and cooler means you taste more of the flower instead of burnt paper.
- Less waste. Evenly ground flower gets used up. Chunks leave unburned bits behind.
- Easier to roll and pack. You can't roll a decent joint with whole nugs.
How to Grind Weed With a Grinder
- Pull out stems and seeds first. Break the bud apart with your fingers over a tray and pick out stems and seeds as you go. Stems don't grind well and they jam the teeth. Seeds pop and taste awful when they burn.
- Break it into small pieces. Pea-sized chunks, placed around the outer ring of teeth. Not in the center, where the magnet or pin is.
- Don't overfill. Half full at most. An overpacked grinder crushes instead of cuts, and it's how grinders get stuck.
- Twist 8 to 12 times. Steady, even turns. Tap the grinder on the table once or twice to help the ground flower drop through.
- Check the texture. You want it fluffy, like loose tea. If it's still chunky, give it a few more turns.
How Fine Should You Grind Weed?
- Joints and blunts: medium-fine. Even enough to roll tight, not so fine it packs into a brick.
- Bowls and bongs: medium to coarse. Too fine gets pulled through the bowl hole.
- Vaporizers: medium. Even contact with the heat is what you want.
- Edibles and infusions: coarse. Very fine grinds make it harder to strain and add a grassy taste.
Tips for a Better Grind
- Too sticky? Put the grinder (empty) in the freezer for 10 minutes first. Cold resin is less gummy and doesn't stick to the teeth.
- Too dry? It'll turn to powder fast. Fewer turns.
- Keep it clean. A resin-caked grinder crushes instead of cuts. Brush it out after use and clean it monthly. Here's how to clean a weed grinder.
- Grind right before you smoke. Ground flower dries out and loses aroma faster than whole buds.
- Store what's left in something airtight. The glass base on our Grinder takes a cap from the Storage Set, so whatever you ground stays fresh right where it is.
How to Grind Weed Without a Grinder
No grinder? You have options. None are as good, but all of them work in a pinch.
1. Scissors and a shot glass
Put a bud in a shot glass and snip at it with small scissors until it's the texture you want. Our favorite backup method. Pretty even, and not much mess.
2. Your fingers
Break it apart by hand. Fine for a bowl, not great for a joint. Your fingers get sticky, and you lose some resin to your skin.
3. Knife and cutting board
Chop it like herbs. Dry flower works best. Wipe the board after so you don't lose anything.
4. Pill bottle and a coin
Drop a bud and a clean coin in a pill bottle, cap it, and shake hard for a minute. It's a bit uneven, but it works.
5. Coffee grinder
Fast, but it's easy to turn everything into dust. Use short pulses, and clean it well before and after, unless you want weed-flavored coffee.
Once you've done it this way a few times, you'll get why grinders exist. If you're shopping, here are the best weed grinders and our full herb grinder lineup.
FAQ
How do you get seeds and stems out of weed?
Before grinding, break buds apart by hand over a tray and pick them out. If some slip through, tilt the tray. Seeds roll to the edge, and stems are easy to spot on top.
How many times should you twist a grinder?
About 8 to 12 turns for most flower. Stickier buds may need a few more.
Why is my weed turning to powder?
It's too dry, you're grinding too long, or both. Fewer turns, and store your flower somewhere airtight.
My grinder won't open. Help?
Happens to everyone. Here's how to open a stuck grinder.