If your grinder squeaks, sticks, or barely turns, it's probably not broken. It's just gunked up with resin. A clean grinder cuts instead of crushing, turns smoothly, and gets you a much better grind. Here's how to clean one in about 20 minutes, most of which is just letting it soak.
What You'll Need
- Isopropyl alcohol, 91% or higher
- A zip-top bag or container
- An old toothbrush or small stiff brush
- Toothpicks or a poker for tight spots
- Paper towels
- Optional: your freezer
How to Clean a Weed Grinder, Step by Step
1. Save the kief first
If your grinder has a kief screen, scrape the kief out before you clean. It's the most potent stuff in there. Freezing the grinder for 20 to 30 minutes first makes the kief and resin brittle, so they fall off with a light tap.
2. Take it apart and knock out the loose stuff
Separate every piece. Tap each one over a sheet of paper and brush out loose flower and dust from the teeth.
3. Soak in isopropyl alcohol
Put all the pieces in a bag or container and cover them with iso. Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes. For a really caked grinder, an hour.
4. Scrub
Brush the teeth, the threads, and the corners. Threads matter most. That's where resin makes grinders stick. Use a toothpick for the spots between teeth.
5. Rinse with warm water
Rinse each piece until you can't smell alcohol.
6. Dry it completely
Pat everything dry, then let it air dry for an hour before putting it back together. Water trapped in the threads or on the screen can lead to mold, and damp grinders gum up fast.
How to Clean a Grinder Without Alcohol
- Freeze and brush: freeze it for an hour, then brush out the brittle resin. Good for light buildup.
- Hot water and dish soap: soak for 20 minutes, scrub, rinse very well, and dry completely. Works on light to medium buildup.
- Hot vinegar: fine for stainless steel and glass. Skip long soaks on anodized aluminum, since the acid can dull the finish.
Cleaning by Grinder Type
- Aluminum: iso is perfect. Don't use harsh scrubbers like steel wool, which will scratch the finish.
- Plastic: warm water and dish soap. Long iso soaks can cloud or weaken some plastics.
- Wood: never soak it. Brush it out and wipe with a barely damp cloth.
- Glass parts (like the base on our Grinder): iso, a quick swirl, rinse. Easy.
How Often Should You Clean Your Grinder?
Brush it out after every few uses. Do a full soak once a month if you grind daily, or any time it starts sticking or grinding unevenly. Small cleanings make the big ones much faster.
FAQ
Can you put a grinder in the dishwasher?
We wouldn't. The heat and detergent can damage finishes, loosen parts, and leave residue you'll taste. Hand cleaning takes less time than a dishwasher cycle anyway.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide?
It'll disinfect, but it won't cut resin nearly as well as isopropyl alcohol.
My grinder is stuck shut. Should I soak it closed?
Try the freezer first. Then check our guide on how to open a stuck grinder.
Is it time for a new grinder?
If it's clean and still grinds unevenly, the teeth are probably dull. Here are the best weed grinders, or browse our herb grinders.