How to Clean a Grinder

A grinder is a tool available in different sizes, shapes or materials. It was first used to grind tobacco leaves but over the years, it has been used to shred other substances like cannabis. The most common ones feature two pieces that can be taken apart, on the inside it has some sort of “sharp teeth” that grinds the material after placing it inside the bowl, closing the lid and twisting it a few times. However, there are other types and it’s important to learn how to clean a grinder properly.

Grinders are mainly manufactured with metal or plastic materials and feature 2, 3 or four pieces. The ones that feature 2 pieces are the most common ones as their only function is to grind. Three-piece grinders have an extra space to store previously shredded weed and some also have a mesh to filter pollen. Regarding four-piece grinders, they are the most complete ones as apart from teeth and a mesh, they have a deposit to store leftover kief.

Having this product at hand when it comes to shredding weed or any other herb is very handy in order to obtain best results. However, it should be taken into account that these utensils require certain basic care for proper functioning.

Cleaning a Grinder

Before proceeding with this task, it should be clarified that this items can be made of different material and it is important to know how to clean a grinder accordingly. Specific steps should be taken to ensure they are kept in good condition and operating correctly.

How to Clean a Metal Grinder

1. First of all, clean the outside with a cloth dampened with water.
2. Disassemble the grinder and all its parts.
3. Remove the teeth parts as this is where most resin and bits of leaves get accumulated.
4. On the other hand, remove the bottom piece, which is the kief deposit (dry marijuana resin).
5. The best way to clean the inside is to fill a cup with ethyl alcohol and soak all the pieces in it for 45 minutes.
6. Afterwards, remove the alcohol and use a soft small brush (like a toothbrush or similar) to finish off the cleaning process.

How to Clean a Wooden Grinder

Compared to a metal grinder, wooden ones are harder to clean as this material requires more precise care and the use of alcohol or water isn’t recommended.

1. Separate the different grinder parts (these types of grinders feature two pieces) and store in the freezer for a minimum of six hours.
2. Afterwards, take it out of the freezer and softly scrape the areas with resin bits stuck to them, either using a toothbrush or any object with slightly sharp points. It is very important to not press hard to avoid creating notches or indentations.
3. Allow to defrost and use a clean cloth to remove ice or water remains.

How to Clean a Plastic Grinder

These grinders are the most sold ones mainly because they are cheaper and lighter than metal or wood grinders, therefore easier to transport and use.

1. Disassemble the grinder
2. Heat up water in a pot. Once it reaches boiling point; remove the pot from the heat source and place the grinder pieces inside for 5/7 minutes. Due to the fact that plastic can release toxic agents, cleaning with water is preferred to alcohol.
3. Finally, take out the grinder pieces from the water and use a toothbrush or cotton bud to remove resin debris. Rinse it with cold water and leave to air dry.

Grinder Additional Care

Another popular method to clean a grinder is by using milk. Is this possible? Yes, milk is a suitable cleaning agent because it contains fats and; as it is already well-known, cannabis is fat-soluble, therefore, it dissolves perfectly with fats.

To proceed with this method, firstly, clean the outside of the grinder with water and soap. Afterwards, heat up a pot full of milk, remove from heat source and place the grinder pieces inside. Let them soak for 10 or 15 minutes. Finally, take them out of the milk and dry them with a clean cloth. If there are still some resin remains at sight, use a small brush to remove them.

In order for grinders to be in perfect conditions, use them properly on a daily basis. Avoid exposure to high temperatures and store them properly during transportation to prevent them from breaking.

Take into account that although it is not necessary to clean grinders on a daily basis; it is highly recommended to clean them every 15 days or at least once a month, depending on its use.