Herb grinders are necessary tools for the frequent flower smoker. Whether you're rolling up, packing a bowl in your favorite bong or loading up a pocket spoon, a consistent grind is essential for the best smoke.
Grinders also enable smokers to get the most out of their product. When pulling herb apart by hand, pollen and other plant matter can stick to your fingers, reducing its potency. When using a grinder, all of the plant matter is contained within the chamber, and many models have a screen to catch every last molecule so you can enjoy the full potential of your stash.
Why Use a Grinder?
Many smokers choose to make the investment of buying a grinder for its many benefits. Grinders are strictly for use with dry herbs, since dry herbs must be separated to allow for better combustion.
Many smokers may start off by picking herbs apart instead of fully grinding them, which could reduce potency as the pollen and plant matter can often stick to their fingers.
By completely grinding herbs, you can sprinkle your dry herbs into your bowl with full potency, and pack them tighter to allow for increased airflow and better control over how fast your bowl will burn.
Styles of Grinders
The most common style of grinder is the multi-piece grinder, which uses several pieces that connect to create an area for grinding and storing.  Many smokers find these grinders to be the most useful for the extra storage space, which can vary depending on size and diameter.  These grinders usually have a top grinding space with many teeth that can be twisted to fully grind herbs, and small holes that allow for the herbs to drop down to the storing space.  Some grinders have an automated style of grinding that will grind herbs with the simple press of a button, while shredder cards are similar to a cheese grater and better for quick on-the-go use.
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Grinder Pieces and Pollen Catchers
Grinders with multiple pieces often have a separate chamber with a thin metal net that catches only the tiniest of pollen. This pollen is often particularly potent, and smokers will usually collect the build-up to sprinkle on top of their usual bowl of dry herbs. Â
Piece grinders can have anywhere from 2-5 pieces, and the more pieces you have, the more you can cultivate the most potent flecks. It’s considered good practice to include a small coin in the main storage section of a grinder to help push pollen down into the catch.
With such a wide variety of grinders available, it all comes down to how you want to grind your herbs and what kind of investment is best for you. Smoke Cartel and Kraken Grinders keep a variety of grinders in stock to help keep your options open and to ensure that you’re making the most of your seshes!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a grinder work?
Grinders come in several parts, and are designed to crush and splice dry herbs and spices into smaller components for easier consumption and a better burn in bowls, rolling papers, and more. Through a twisting mechanism, the two interlocking teeth will cut the dry herb, and it will fall down the holes into the next chamber of the grinder. Then, simply open the grinder by twisting apart the second storage compartment, and you have finely ground cannabis or other legal dry herbs!
What are the top grinder brands?
The most popular and top grinder brands are:
Kraken Grinders
Santa Cruz
Aerospaced
Space Case
What is the difference between a two piece and a four piece grinder?
A two piece grinder does not contain a storage container and a pollen catch. When the dry herbs are ground up, in a two piece grinder there stay in the grinding chamber, but in a four piece, there are holes allowing them to fall into a separate storage chamber. In four piece grinders, there is a finer mesh where the kief or pollen can be separated into another separate chamber known as a - kief catch.
How do you clean a grinder?
Metal grinders can be cleaned easily by soaking in isopropyl alcohol (92% is generally most effective), then scrubbing with a toothbrush or pipe cleaner. For plastic or acrylic grinders, do not use isopropyl alcohol, as they can damage the material. Dish soap and warm water can be used using the same method.
