How To Clean Your Weed Grinder

A grinder is an essential piece of equipment, and knowing how to clean a grinder is vital. 

After all, it helps you get a consistent burn while smoking while maximizing efficiency. But when the grinder makes that tell-tale noise, you know it’s time for a clean. 

Cleaning improves grinder functionality, removes mold, bacteria, and other allergens, and helps you get the most out of your weed. However, you obviously want to save as much kief as you can — you know, that “gold” gunk that’s filled with THC goodness you can use to make weed moon rocks or your own hash. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide with everything you need for cleaning your grinder and saving your kief.     

What Do You Need to Clean Your Grinder Thoroughly?

Here’s a list of equipment you should have on hand when you’re ready to clean your grinder: 

• Brushes: You need both a soft-bristled (e.g., paintbrush) and a harder-bristled brush (e.g., toothbrush) to remove the cannabis plant matter in two of the steps below. 
• Plate/Bowl: Either a plate or bowl works; make sure it is larger than the circumference of the grinder chambers, so you don’t lose any kief. 
• Freezer: Luckily, you don’t need a lot of space in your freezer, so don’t worry. 
• Isopropyl Alcohol:Don’t use thealcohol to clean your grinder if it’s made from plastic or acrylic. Use 70-90 percent isopropyl alcohol if your grinder is made from metal (aluminum, titanium, etc.)  
• Ziploc Baggie or Glass Jar: Make sure the container is large enough to house your grinder chamber’s contents.  
• Water:You’ll need hot or boiling water. 
• Towel:Choose a soft towel, so you don’t scratch your grinder chambers. 

How to Clean a Grinder 101 

Using the tools above, follow these basic steps on how to clean yourgrinder: 

1) Disassemble 

The first step to cleaning your grinder is to disassemble it. Remove all the chambers, but ensure you don’t spill any of the leftover plant matter (you can use this again if you don’t know). 

2) Dump the Residue

Empty the plant matter into a bowl or plate. Don’t worry about any residue orkief that sticks to the chambers going to waste. You’ll clean this out soon. 

3) Put it in the Freezer

Place each chamber and section of the grinder upright in your freezer. Leave it there for a minimum of 30 minutes. 

The purpose of the freezer is to make the leftover sticky plant matter stiffer. As a result, it’ll form clumps and no longer stick to the grinder. Thus, the clumps are easier to remove, and you won’t waste your kief. Neat, right? 

4) Brush and Pick

After half an hour or so, remove the grinder from your freezer. Then, using a soft-bristled brush, gently scrape at the plant matter clumps. As they loosen, dump these into the bowl or plate you used to collect the other plant matter before.  

Scrape all around the grinder: the edges, the sides, and even the lid. This ensures you harvest as much of theTHC-rich and potent powdery kief as possible for future use. 

5) Isopropyl Alcohol Bath Time

When you’ve scraped off as much of the kief as you can, it’s time for the next steps. 

Place each metal grinder chamber in a glass jar or Ziploc baggie. 

Fill the baggie or jar with isopropyl alcohol. The chamber needs to be fully submerged. 

Soak the chambers in the isopropyl alcohol bath for at least 20 minutes. But don’t think you can forget about your grinder during this time. You need to swirl the chambers now and again gently. This swirling helps loosen any plant matter that’s still clinging to the chambers.  

If you have an acrylic or plastic grinder, pour boiling water over the chamber. Let it cool, and then move on to the next step. 

6) Brush, Rinse, and Dry

After the 20 minutes are up, open the jar or baggie. Pour the alcohol out into your sink and remove the grinder chambers. 

Using a hard-bristled brush, like a toothbrush, brush your grinder thoroughly. 

All the residue that gunked up your grinder, and caused your grinder to start making unusual noises, will now come loose. 

After you’ve thoroughly brushed and scraped and your grinder looks clean, rinse it under hot water. Make sure there’s no plant residue left. 

With a clean towel, dry the chambers, the lid, and around the grinding teeth. 

7) Grind Again

Your grinder should look brand new. Load it up with nugs, start grinding, and you’ll notice that the device rotates really smoothly. Enjoy your smoke. 

The Most Important Step in How to Clean a Grinder? Stick to a Schedule

Regularly cleaning your grinder is essential. It ensures you don’t smoke mold, bacteria, or any other harmful allergens. Plus, your grinder will work longer since the plant matter residue won’t cause the blades to make that high-pitched, squealing sound when they rotate. 

How to clean your weed grinder is easy if you follow the seven steps outlined here. Remember to dump and scrape off all the powdery and sticky kief you can. It’s rich in THC, so you can definitely use it to make hash. 

Looking For A New Grinder?

Go over World of Bongs Grinders For Weed Collection and choose yours.

Here are six of the most popular grinders on the market if you are looking for something new:   

1. 4 Piece Aluminum Grinder

The 4 Piece Aluminum Grinder from Sharp Stone comes in four colors: black, purple, pink, and silver. When you buy this grinder, you have everything you need to start grinding your cannabis. There’s no more mess with a pollen catcher and scraper. Plus, it’s easy to clean. 

2. Santa Cruz Shredder - 2 Pcs Hemp Grinder

Available in black and white, the travel-friendly Santa Cruz Shredder has a multilayer design so you can quickly grind your weed. Its “knurled” grip makes it easier for you to hold, while the proprietary design guarantees an efficient and smooth grinding experience.  

3. Grinder Watch

Who doesn’t want a watch that can grind weed, too? Available in multiple colors, the watch lets you know when it’s time to roll up. The hidden two-piece grinder makes it easy to grind your weed or dry cannabis flower, so you are always ready for a party.  

4. OTTO Mill & Fill Pre-Roll Machine

If you want to grind your weed faster, then the OTTO Mill & Fill Pre-Roll Machine is a must-have. Easily and efficiently fill the weed cone, press a button, and watch the magic of weed grinding at its best. Charge the machine via a USB port.  

5. Star Wars: Dark Side Grinder

There’s no need to flip to the dark side. With the Dark Side Grinder, you get a two-in-one deal. First, store your weed in the grinder chamber, where it’ll stay fresh. Then, when you are ready, grind your stash. 

6. Grey Sphere Grinder

This grinder is in the shape of a star or death sphere. Like with the Star Wars Dark Side Grinder, you can also store your stash in the Grey Sphere until you are ready to grind and have fun.