As essential as it is to a solid smoking sesh, it’s easy to forget about your grinder—until you take it out and realize that it’s covered in months-old gunk. A dirty grinder isn't just gross, it's also bad for your bud. Failing to clean your grinder on the reg can lead to clogged teeth, slowed grinding, and reduced quality of smoke.
So how do you get your grinder back to its former glory? You give it a good deep clean. With a little bit of elbow grease and the right cleaning supplies, your grinder will be sparklingly new in no time.
What Should Be Used To Clean A Grinder?
You don't have to break out the fancy cleaning supplies to get your grinder back in fighting shape. Depending on the method you choose, all you'll need are a few household items, such as:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Q-Tips
- A toothbrush
- A paintbrush
- Paper towels
- Toothpicks
- A plate or a bowl
- A Ziploc bag
- Water
- A towel
- A freezer
- Dish soap
Keep in mind that you don't need everything on the above list to clean your grinder—just the supplies that best match up with your chosen cleaning method.
Grinder Cleaning Methods
Now that you have your supplies, it's time to get down and dirty (or rather, clean) with your grinder.
Before starting any of the methods below, you'll need to take apart your grinder and separate all of the chambers. Use a paintbrush or some other kind of soft-bristled brush to get out any kief or leftover plant material that's been stuck in the corners and crevices.
Kief can be a lot more potent than your average cannabis strain, with an average of 25-30% of THC concentrates. So scraping it off into a Ziploc bag to save it for future use isn’t the worst idea.
Once you've disassembled and brushed out your grinder, you can try one of the following methods.
Soak It In Alcohol
By far one of the quickest methods, soaking your grinder in isopropyl alcohol can help to break down the gunk that's built up over time. Here's how to do it:
- Place all the pieces of your grinder in a Ziploc bag or glass jar.
- Pour enough isopropyl alcohol over them to cover every part of the grinder completely.
- Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Swirl the bag or jar at least once or twice to help break up the gunk.
- Pour out the alcohol and use a toothbrush or Q-Tip to scrub off any remaining gunk.
- Rinse the grinder with warm water and let dry completely before reassembling.
This method works great for all kinds of grinders, except those made out of acrylic or plastic, as the alcohol can damage them.
Freeze It
For a grinder that's especially caked with gunk, freezing it may be the best option. Here's how you do it:
- Place all parts of the grinder upright inside a freezer.
- Let it freeze for 30 minutes, allowing the plant residue to stiff.
- Remove it from the freezer and use a toothpick to scrape off any plant material. Go through all the edges and sides of the pieces. Fill a bowl with warm water and dish soap, and place the grinder parts inside to soak for 10 minutes. Dump whatever you scrape off into a bowl or Ziploc bag.
- Follow the instructions for the alcohol soak method to really get the grinder clean.
- Before reassembling, make sure that everything is completely dry.
You can freeze plastic and acrylic grinders, skip the alcohol soak and use the following method instead.
Scrub It With Dish Soap
If you have an acrylic or plastic grinder, good ole fashioned dish soap may be the best way to clean it. This method will help soften any residue and make it easier to remove from the grinder's crevices:
- Soak the pieces of your grinder in warm water for five minutes.
- Put some dish soap on a toothbrush and scrub the grinder pieces to remove any dirt or residue.
- Rinse the grinder with warm water and let dry completely before reassembling.
Avoid this method if you have a metal grinder, as exposure to that much water can cause them to rust.
Boil It In Water
Nothing is more frustrating than having a piece of weed debris stuck in your grinder. If this is the case with yours, boiling it in water may be your best bet:
- Fill a pot with enough water to cover all of the pieces of your grinder.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add your grinder to the pot and let it boil for five to ten minutes.
- Remove from heat and use a q-tip, toothpick, or small brush to remove any debris that has softened from the boiling.
- Allow it to dry completely before reassembling.
To Sum It Up
Cleaning your grinder may not be the most exciting task, but it will help prevent residue build-up, keep your herbs tasting their best and increase the lifespan of your favorite tool. With these easy methods, you can have your grinder looking—and grinding—like new in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you clean a grinder perfectly?
The best way to get your grinder perfectly clean is to freeze it in the freezer for 30 minutes and then use a toothpick to remove any plant material. Then soak it in isopropyl alcohol and scrub it with a toothbrush or Q-Tip before rinsing it with warm water and allowing it to dry completely before reassembling.
How do you deep clean a grinder screen?
If your grinder screen is particularly caked with gunk, try soaking it in isopropyl alcohol overnight. This should loosen up any debris and make it easier to scrub or rinse them out. After it's soaked, run it under some hot water to melt off any leftover residue.
How often should I clean my grinder?
You don't have to clean your grinder as often as other smoking supplies, but it's a good idea to do a deep clean periodically. We recommend deep cleaning your grinder about every 3-4 months for optimal performance.
How do you clean a grinder without losing kief?
The best way to clean your grinder without losing any kief is to freeze it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then you can brush off any kief you want to keep into a bowl or Ziploc bag before you give your grinder a deep clean.
