It may surprise you to know that there are many facets to using weed. Buying and using weed is excellent, but you can get more out of it by grinding it. Did you know you could grind weed? It will bring out more flavor and increase the effectiveness of the weed so that you can maximize the experience.
The thing is that not everyone knows the importance of grinding weed. If you are a true user who appreciates all the beauty and benefits of weed, you will not be without a weed grinder. However, if you are new to the game, this article is a detailed expose of a best weed grinder and how to use it.
A Weed Grinder: What It Is?
A grinder is not slang or a term for something else. The equipment is what it says: a grinder. It is small grinding equipment with tiny teeth, just like any other grinder. The only difference is that this one has a specific design for grinding weed. It grinds weed nugs into smaller pieces for easier consumption.
Grinding weed into smaller pieces helps you get the most potent parts and the best benefits from the plant. In other words, it marks the difference between the effects of whole weed nugs and ground weed. You will find that grinding weed separates the cannabinoids and terpenes from the trichomes, and these are some of the best parts of weed. We will discuss this more later.
Parts of A Grinder
Any weed grinder worth its name must have three essential parts:
- The grinding teeth
- The chamber for grinding
- A lid or cover to prevent spilling
These parts are the basics that every herb grinder must have, but there are other factors. Weed grinders come in different types and sizes, so you must know what you need and the amount of weed to grind per time to determine the exact kind of grinder to pick.
There are three common types of these herb grinders, and they are the ones you will easily find. However, you may also find other types, so keep your options open. The three common types are:
- A single-chamber or two-piece grinder
- A two-chamber or three-piece grinder
- A three-chamber or four-piece grinder
The names of these grinders may sound wrong, but there is an explanation for why a single chamber grinder is also a two-piece grinder, for example. Let us explain each type of grinder for a better understanding.
Single Chamber Grinders
This is one of the best grinder which is the simplest of all three because it has a lid and a small bowl for grinding. The bowl consists of the teeth that break the weed into tiny pieces. You open the lid and pour out the ground weed after the process. You may also call it a two-piece grinder because it has a grinding chamber and a lid or cover. When you separate the lid from the chamber, you have two-piece equipment.
Two-Chamber Grinders
Close on the heels of the single chamber grinder is the two-piece grinder. This grinder consists of a grinding chamber and a lid, just like its single-chamber counterpart. The only difference is that there is another chamber under the grinding chamber called a collection chamber.
The ground weed falls through holes in the bottom of the grinding chamber into this second chamber. A single chamber grinder does not have this feature. It makes grinding more weed easy without filling the grinding chamber. So, this type has two sections but has three pieces, hence the name.
Three-Chamber Grinders
This type of grinder has four pieces and three essential chambers. Apart from the usual grinding chamber, there is a collection chamber like the grinder described above. However, a third chamber is under this collection chamber, called the kief chamber.
The bottom of the collection chamber is not solid but has a mesh. As you grind the weed, the ground pieces fall through the grinding chamber into the collection chamber. Fine pollen-like pieces find their way through the mesh into the bottom chamber as you further grind it.
These delicate pieces are called kief, the weed’s most potent and flavorful part. In other words, this grinder has a lid, grinding chamber, collection chamber, and kief chamber. A three-chamber grinder is usually more expensive than other grinders because the kief catcher; grinds the weed into more delicate pieces, requiring extra details.
Benefits of A Weed Grinder
If you are an ardent weed user, using a grinder adds many benefits to your usage. It is similar to getting a coffee maker with a grinder; you will enjoy your morning coffee even more when you add the joy of grinding the beans. So, here are the benefits of using this marijuana grinder, although this is not an exhaustive list.
An Increase In Potency
Grinding your weed reduces its size and produces sizes more consistent with each other. As a result, you burn the weed easier and increase its potency. Not only does it burn easier, but it also reduces the chances of canoeing. The weed does not start burning from the middle part, which ruins the entire joint and reduces its potency.
The more evenly the weed burns, the longer it lasts. Then, there is the absorption problem that it eliminates. Grinding your weed makes it harder for it to touch your hands for absorption. Your skin has difficulty absorbing the trichomes, increasing potency.
Harsh Smoke Reduction
Weed smokers enjoy the smoke as much as other facets of smoking weed. They call it part of the entire experience. However, weed smoke can be harsh if the nug does not evenly burn.
If there is harsh smoke, it will eventually affect your lungs, but grinding the weed encourages an even burning. There is a noticeable reduction in how much intense smoke it produces when there are smaller pieces that burn more evenly.
Improvement On Savings
The more you grind your weed, the more potent it becomes. That means you do not have to use as much of the weed as when you use unground nugs. A smaller amount of weed produces a higher effect and enjoyment when ground, so you save on spending on weed.
If you have been grinding weed by hand, it may be time to invest in a grinder. It saves you time because it takes about half the time to break the nugs in a grinder as it does to do it by hand. Also, you can grind more nugs and store the weed if you grind it using a grinder. In other words, you save both time and money by using a weed grinder.
Kief Production
As mentioned before, kief is a name for cannabinoids and terpenes in the marijuana plant. They separate from the trichomes of the cannabis plant when you grind it and are highly potent. Many experienced users value kief because they can transform the taste and effect of any consumable when used as additives.
However, not every weed grinder can produce kief, so you may want to ask for a three-chamber grinder if you are to get kief. It may cost a little more than the regular grinder, but the benefits are worth the cost.
Better Transportation
The reduced nug sizes may be easier to carry ground weed. It may not be ideal if you have to bag and take whole nugs to recreation areas or from sellers. Even if you grind it by hand, you may find that the ground pieces are not as fine as you want. Using a grinder eliminates the problem of transportation. Besides, you can opt to carry it in the grinder for better protection, especially if you finely grind the weed.
Steps To Use A Weed Grinder
It is one thing to buy a weed grinder, but it is entirely different from knowing how to use it. There is nothing complicated about using a grinder like this, but there are steps to follow to get the best results. This is especially true if you use one with a kief chamber.
Step 1
The first and most vital step is to put the weed into the grinder. Lift the lid off the grinder and get your weed. Break the nugs into smaller pieces using your fingers and put the pieces into the grinder. Avoid putting the weed in the middle of the grinder because that is where the pivot works. The weed placed in the middle will not grind because of the constant spinning.
Step 2
Put the lid back on the grinder after loading it with the broken weed nugs. With one hand, hold the grinder at the bottom and secure the cover with the other hand as you rotate it. The lid may resist the rotation at first, but keep turning it until there is no longer any resistance. You do not need to plug it into any electrical outlet or use batteries; rotating the grinder grinds the weed.
Step 3
When you finish grinding, lightly hit the grinder on the heel of your palm to dislodge any stuck weed inside the chamber. It will be easier to empty the chamber if nothing is sticking together. If you use a grinder with a kief chamber, dislodging by hitting it against your palm drifts more kief into the bottom section.
Step 4
Separate the chambers and collect the ground weed from the appropriate one. That is unless you use the single chamber grinder. Then, you only have to open the lid and empty the only available chamber.
Be careful when separating the kief chamber from the middle one to avoid damaging the mesh or screen. Do not worry if there is not much in the chamber; a first grind may not yield much kief. The more weed you grind, the more kief it produces.
Practical Tips For Using A Weed Grinder
Using a weed grinder is not complicated. It may seem like a lot at first, especially if you are used to grinding by hand. However, you will get used to it after a few tries. The most critical aspect is consistent use, which produces more kief. Below are a few tips to keep handy for the best experience using a weed grinder.
- A zinc or aluminum weed grinder may be the best option, but it may be more expensive than other options. Otherwise, stick to the usual type, and you will still get excellent results.
- It helps to turn the weed grinder upside down a few times while grinding weed. Doing this loosens the weed from the teeth and encourages a smoother grind and result. It may seem a little tricky initially, but with time, you will get the hang of it.
- Do not put too much weed to grind at per time. Putting too much and filling the chamber reduces the grinder’s efficiency. Consequently, the weed comes out coarse instead of finely ground. Take it a little amount at a time.
- Use a grinder with lots of teeth and holes. More stainless steel blades mean finer weed; you will find that the weed comes out finely ground if the grinder has more teeth. Also, if you prefer metal grinders with a kief chamber, it helps to get one with many holes to allow for more kief yield.
- Putting a coin into the chamber while grinding is a little hack for a more effective kief yield with less weed. Ensure you thoroughly clean the coin before putting it in with the weed to avoid contamination. Do not use a coin if you are uncomfortable with it.
Points To Remember
You may want to run a test before deciding whether to invest in a weed grinder. Therefore, check local stores or weed dispensaries or do research about the weed legality to see if there are grinders you can use for a test. The sellers should be able to guide you through the process and give you a few other tricks for using it.
How To Use Ground Weed?
After grinding your weed, the next step is using it to get the best effects. Fortunately, weed has many uses; the only downside is legality. Many states in the United States are yet to legalize the use of weed or marijuana. This lack of legality restricts how freely you can use it but does not reduce how effective or beneficial it is.
Smoking
One of the primary ways to use weed is to smoke it. Long-time users and enthusiasts may not have difficulty smoking it, but new users may feel a little overwhelmed with all the smoking options available. Therefore, we have taken the liberty to get you along on the path of making the most of your smoking experience.
Joints
After grinding your weed, you can roll it into a joint. Rolling a joint is an art, but you can learn it as you become more acquainted with using weed. Ensure you use the right rolling paper for your health and smoke production.
Some rolling papers produce harsh smoke and may be detrimental to your lungs. Look for unrefined, unflavored, and unbleached rolling papers; they are less likely to contain chemicals and pollutants than commercially-produced rolling papers.
Blunts
These are similar to joints but last longer and are typically bigger. You roll them using a cigar or blunt wrap instead of rolling papers. A blunt wrap is made out of tobacco leaves, increasing the presence of nicotine. The high level of nicotine is the primary reason users prefer joints.
Bongs
They are also called water pipes and employ water to filter and cool the smoke. Users tend to inhale more smoke and produce a more significant hit because of the cooled smoke, giving a more experienced look. The same does not apply to smokers of joints and blunts. While it looks like the safest option for smoking weed, it may not lower the risk of ingesting toxins.
Pipes
Using a pipe to smoke your ground weed is simple. There is a bowl where the weed goes, a stem through which the smoke flows, and a mouthpiece for taking in the smoke. A few pipes may have a carb hole, which is a tiny hole by the side of the bowl. You can cover and uncover the hole with one finger to release some of the smoke in the stem and reduce the amount you inhale.
Vaping
Vaporization or vaping is another way to use weed. You use vaporizers for this purpose; they heat the weed to a point below the combustion point and release the active ingredients as vapor. Then, you can inhale the ingredients as vapor instead of smoke.
You may call it a more sophisticated method of smoking marijuana. Vaping does not produce as much weed smell as smoking, and some users say they achieve a better ‘high’ this way. Moreover, it is easier to carry vaporizers and use them in recreational spaces than using joints or blunts.
Edibles
Putting weed in edibles such as brownies is another popular way to use it. There are more edibles with weed in them than before because of the legalization of medical marijuana. Users are getting more creative as they seek ways to make marijuana more interesting, especially for people with medical conditions. The same applies to states where the recreational use of marijuana is legal.
You will find other edibles such as cakes, gummies, granola bars, cookies, and cereals with weed. Some beverages even carry marijuana, and some users make tea with marijuana leaves, increasing its potency.
Additionally, you can extract oil from marijuana and use it for baking, cooking, or mixing in food. The oil may also go into capsules or tinctures for different ailments. However, it is crucial to moderate the dosage of marijuana per time to avoid overdosing on it. Oral ingestion typically has a delayed effect. As a result, some users may interpret it as having no impact and take more weed.
When the effects set in, they may become too much for the user to handle. If you are new to using weed, start small and allow your body to get used to it, especially if you take it orally. Slowly increase the dosage until you find the perfect point. Speak with your doctor before taking marijuana if you have a health condition.
Dabbing
An inexperienced user may think that dabbing is the same as vaping, but there is a difference. While it looks similar, dabbing tetrahydrocannabinol or THC resins derived from the plant while vaping uses the ground marijuana leaves. You can turn the resins into oil, shatter, or wax. Heat a bong or a glass pipe using a blowtorch and put the extract in it.
The extract vaporizes, and you can inhale the vapor; some users say the effect is more potent than smoking weed. However, there may be a downside to this method of using weed. Using a blowtorch to heat the extract to the right temperature exposes you to dangerous levels of harmful chemicals. Long-time use may be detrimental to your health.
Capsules and Pills
Taking weed in this manner is highly efficient in managing dosage and ensuring there is no unnecessary side effect. Therefore, it is more helpful in administering medical marijuana, and instead of smoking it, a patient can take it as part of their usual medication. Let your doctor decide if you need it and adequately administer it in the correct dosage if you have a health condition.
Transdermal Patches
A transdermal patch is another way to deliver the effects of weed or marijuana into the bloodstream. It is similar to a nicotine patch but works with your body heat. The heat activates it and pushes the cannabinoids out into your bloodstream through your skin.
You may absorb a higher amount of the active ingredients through this method, much higher than smoking or ingesting weed. However, this is not a general result as many users may not experience the same level of bioavailability as others.
Powder
The active cannabinoids in weed can work as sports and health supplements in powder form. This powder is usually potent because it contains a high amount of THC. Your body can easily absorb it, and you can follow the precise dosage and administration guidelines. Consequently, there is a quicker result time than many other weed methods.
Topicals
Weed or marijuana can go into salves, ointments, and balms for topical application. These topicals are excellent at managing inflammation, joint aches, and pains. Their bioavailability is usually lower, but they have no psychotropic effect on you. In other words, they take a longer time to get absorbed into the body but are unlikely to make you high.
Tinctures
Tinctures are concentrated cannabis extracts. You can make them by soaking the leaves and marijuana buds in alcohol for a specific length of time and draining the leaves. Take them by placing a few drops under your tongue for absorption according to the recommended dosage.
These tinctures are usually potent and mainly used for medical purposes. The body quickly absorbs the active ingredients because of the ingestion method, making tinctures one of the fastest ways to get the effects of marijuana. However, people tend to abuse them because of improper regulation and a lack of strict dosing instructions.
Important Notes On Using Weed
While weed has many notable benefits, there are also a few downsides. It can distort your cognitive abilities for a few hours. If you combine it with alcohol, it may have far-reaching effects. The primary reason is the presence of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis or weed.
It is not ideal to use it and drive because of the heightened senses and hurt motor skills. There is also the possibility of affecting your mental health. Not everyone will have a pleasant experience with marijuana, so you must determine your reaction to it before using it in large doses. As mentioned before, start small and stop if you notice strong negative effects.
Conclusion: How Does A Weed Grinder Work?
A weed grinder is one of the most effective ways to get the best out of your marijuana nugs. The finer the weed, the better and more potent it is. You will find that the flavor is richer, and the smoke is not as harsh because of the smaller pieces you are using.
There are three main types of marijuana grinders: those with single chambers, those with two chambers, and those with two chambers and kief catchers. A high-quality grinder should grind cannabis until you have the desired result. They can be manual grinders, but if they are of excellent quality, the ground herb should feel and taste better than when you crush it with your hand.
Apart from the increased potency and kief yield, this cannabis grinder also saves you time and money. You smoke a smaller amount of weed because of its higher potency and spend less time grinding your weed. Investing in a zinc or aluminum grinder to see the best results and grind in small batches is best. It will produce finer weed and more kief if you put weed in small amounts in the grinder per time.
