How to clean and care for your wooden grinder

Grinders are easily one of the best ways to evenly break up your weed and get a fine, smooth, and even smoke. And there’s just something special about a wooden grinder; maybe it’s the rustic look, the smooth, natural feel, or the fact that they don’t crack like cheap plastic grinders.

No matter how much you love your wooden grinder, there’s nothing worse than sitting down for a session only to find it’s given up the ghost. To stop this from happening to you, it’s crucial you know how to clean a wooden grinder properly.

To ensure your wooden grinder performs at its best for as long as possible, it’s crucial to keep it clean.

When you’re grinding your weed to pack a nice bowl or roll a joint, you’ve probably come across kief. Kief is a powerful form of concentrated cannabis made up of trichomes (the frosty crystals found on your bud that contains most of the plant’s active compounds, including THC).

You can add kief to a regular joint or bowl, or collect and press it into hash blocks. It is extremely sticky, and is one of the main reasons grinders start to jam up and cause you headaches. The more kief you allow to build up in your grinder, the worse things will get.

The best way to avoid this is to clean out your grinder regularly. Use a soft brush, like a toothbrush or a small paint brush to gently brush the kief into a separate container. The brush hairs should be able to get in between the grinder’s teeth without scratching or damaging the wood.

DON’T USE SHARP OBJECTS, SOAPS, OR CHEMICAL CLEANERS

Remember to stay away from any sharp or tough objects, such as knives, forks, etc. Using these tools on your grinder will only create dents and scratches in the wood where more kief can build up and hide out.

Also, don’t be tempted to wash out your grinder with soaps, detergent, or any other kind of chemical cleaners. While it might seem like a good idea after a few bowls, it’s not. Wood is porous and can actually absorb some of those substances. Plus, scented soaps can leave behind a strong smell that might get passed onto your herb when you grind.

For a little extra protection, consider rubbing some non-aromatic food grade oil (like canola) on your grinder’s wooden surfaces every now and then. Simply dip a clean cloth in a tiny bit of oil and apply it gently. This will make the wood glossy and smooth and may also help to stop kief and other residue stick to it. Remember to let your grinder dry out completely prior to using it.

Finally, if your grinder has a magnetic seal, make sure there is no weed stuck between the magnets and stopping it from closing properly.

WHEN TO CLEAN YOUR GRINDER

There’s no set rule to how often you should clean your grinder. If you notice you’re grinder gets stuck, feels clunky, or simply doesn’t grind your weed as well as it used to, it’s probably time to give it some love.

Remember, a grinder is designed to make your life easier, not harder. By cleaning your grinder regularly and following the basic tips in this article, you can enjoy a smooth, even grind every time, which makes for a better burn, smoother hits, and a better session all around.