RYO LifeStyle Blog
How To Grind Herbs If You Don’t Have A Grinder
25
Aug
Aug
If you got this far, it’s because you want to know how to grind herbs if you don’t have a grinder. After all, smoking a whole bud is crazy, starting with the fact that you would waste a lot of herbs.
We know that the best way to grind weed is to use a grinder, but not everyone has one within reach. Many people get by without a grinder, anyway. So if you don’t have a grinder with you, don’t panic. We’ll explain some tricks to grind herbs without a grinder.
Maybe you will need a penny after all. However, don’t worry, you’ll get it back later. This method is one of the most common and effective. All you need is a small container with a lid and a coin that fits inside.
Put the herb inside the container and then put the coin inside as well. Close the container tightly and proceed to shake it vigorously for a few minutes. Surprisingly, the coin will do all the work for you. Moreover, best of all, the leaves will completely detach from the stems.
If your house has a coffee grinder, then you already have your work cut out for you. While not comparable to a grinder, a coffee grinder will give good results. Just put your buds in it and grind them. Still, it’s good to keep a few things in mind. Unless you want to smoke coffee or drink a space coffee, clean the grinder very well before and after use.
It is not advisable to squeeze the buds too tightly, as these can clog the grinder mechanism. The same happens if you use buds that are too big. It is also not good to grind herb that is already chopped in small portions. The mechanism may not work properly, and pieces may remain unground.
Now, if your grinder is electric, you can probably set the grinding time. Try to set it so that it does not grind the herb at a subatomic level, as picking it up afterward would be a nightmare.
There is a tool that can be found in virtually any kitchen. It is the mortar and pestle. But before you run to grind your herb, pay attention to one important
point.
It will take some time and effort, especially if your herb is not quite dry. That’s why our personal recommendation is to let the buds dry for a few hours in the sun. This way, they will break easily once in the mortar.
You should also be careful not to be carried away. If you overdo it with the grinding, you will be left with a powder that is too fine, and we don’t want
that. And as the last point, yes, you should wash the mortar before and after use.
Did you know that both herbs and black pepper contain cannabinoids? Here’s a fun fact, and here’s another: the pepper grinder is perfect for grinding the herb if you don’t have a grinder. Of course, if the herb is even slightly damp, it can clog the mechanism. This would lead to many problems that are not worth mentioning, so it is better to dry them first.
If you don’t want to die of a clogged airway, clean the grinder before using it. Be sure to remove all traces of the pepper. After using the pepper mill, we also recommend cleaning it. Of course, unless you don’t see a problem with spicing foods that way.
This is probably one of the easiest methods on this list. Take your buds, put them on a chopping board and use a knife to grind them little by little. It is preferable that you don’t use a serrated knife but a smooth-bladed knife with a decent edge.
Grind the herb until it has the ideal texture, but without turning it into powder. As always, wash the utensils well, especially the knife, to which pieces of the herb can stick.
It is not strictly necessary, but drying the herb in the sun before chopping will make your work easier. All you’ll need is a good eye for how far to chop and some patience.
We all agree that a pizza cutter isn’t exactly a katana. But you don’t need much of an edge to grind herb, just good technique. Put your buds on a chopping board. Hold each bud by its end and chop from the edge into slices with the pizza cutter. Once you have chopped everything this way, gather everything in a pile and pass the cutter through.
We recommend being attentive and removing the stems as soon as possible. Remember that a pizza cutter is not sharp enough to chop the stems. In other words, if you don’t remove them, you will find yourself with impossible-to-chop pieces that will greatly hinder you.
It’s worth noting that this method is quite therapeutic, so it’s fine for draining anxiety and crying for a while. But what brings it here is that it is quite simple to grind herbs without a grinder.
In this case, it is mandatory that the herb is completely dry, as the moisture will prevent it from breaking under the blows of the hammer. Then, dry your herb and put it inside the paper bag. Place the bag on a hard, sturdy surface. Hit it with a hammer, not too hard, not too soft.
In about two minutes, the herb should have the ideal texture. So after that time, you will be able to remove it. But do not forget the resin with a high THC content that adhered to the bag. However, removing it will be easy, as the paper bag is non-stick.
If there’s anything more fun than grating cheese, it’s grating herb on a cheese grater. In addition, this utensil is in most homes, so you won’t have to look for one. Find a container in which to place the grated herb and choose the best side of the grater. We recommend the side with the smaller pattern, as it will give a better grind.
Although due to the resin, it is likely to be a bit difficult to extract all the herb residue from the grater. Therefore, you should have a toothpick or needle handy. It is also very useful to use a toothbrush that you no longer use.
This trick will come in handy at any party. Grab a shot glass and a pair of scissors.
Clean and dry the glass and scissors very well. Remove some of the herbs from the bud with your fingers and pour them into the bottom of the glass. Then, you will have to use the tip of the scissors to make cuts so that each time, the pieces are smaller and smaller. Although this is a very repetitive activity, it is important not to rush. One violent movement can send the herb flying across the room and… well, bye-bye herb.
For that same reason, look for a stable, dry, clean surface away from inebriated people. In addition, if you have some herb left over at the bottom of the shot when you’re done, leave it there in the meantime.
We know what you’re thinking, but don’t be alarmed; this time, you’ll be using your credit card just to cut your herb. The truth is that credit cards are made of very hard and resistant plastic. This makes them the perfect tools to replace a grinder.
Just keep a few things in mind. Essentially, you will be using the card as a knife. Find a flat, smooth surface, preferably a kitchen board. Clean the card before and after use. Before, because no one wants to smoke dirty herb; and after, because it will smell a lot like herb and be sticky.
Okay, the blender is the stoner equivalent of the chainsaw, and, yes, maybe that’s too much. The bigger the demand, the bigger the industry, right? If you need to grind large amounts of herb, then use the blender in your kitchen.
Read these tips before you make a mess. Remove the stems and seeds. Pour the herb into the blender and turn it on low speed for a short time. This way, you can more or less control the fineness of the grind. Remember that you are dealing with nothing more and nothing less than a domestic blender. Ten seconds of grinding will be more than enough. More time than necessary will turn your herb into the sand.
In addition, we insist that this method is efficient only and large amounts of herb are used. In case you find yourself at a party, ask around in case someone wants to collaborate with your happy juice.
Why is it important to Grind Herbs well?
Before smoking it, whether in a pipe, joint or bong, it is crucial that it is well ground. At least if you want to get the most out of it. However, let’s say there are two main reasons why you need to make sure you grind it well. The first one is that you get uniform combustion. Consequently, this makes the puff smoother as well. The second reason is that the trichomes of the weed will reach higher temperatures, releasing more THC. Therefore, this leads to more intense effects than if smoked in larger chunks. In addition to a better trip, you would be saving. Those were the two main reasons but, although of lesser importance, there are more. For example, if the herb is finely ground, you will be able to fill a pipe more compactly, giving a harder puff.Methods to Grind Herb without a Grinder
Virtually anyone would prefer to use a grinder to grind up herbs, but the grinder is a relatively recent invention. In addition, the reality is that there are many ways, almost as effective, and they don’t require a dime.A container with a lid and a coin
Maybe you will need a penny after all. However, don’t worry, you’ll get it back later. This method is one of the most common and effective. All you need is a small container with a lid and a coin that fits inside.
Put the herb inside the container and then put the coin inside as well. Close the container tightly and proceed to shake it vigorously for a few minutes. Surprisingly, the coin will do all the work for you. Moreover, best of all, the leaves will completely detach from the stems.
Coffee grinder
If your house has a coffee grinder, then you already have your work cut out for you. While not comparable to a grinder, a coffee grinder will give good results. Just put your buds in it and grind them. Still, it’s good to keep a few things in mind. Unless you want to smoke coffee or drink a space coffee, clean the grinder very well before and after use.
It is not advisable to squeeze the buds too tightly, as these can clog the grinder mechanism. The same happens if you use buds that are too big. It is also not good to grind herb that is already chopped in small portions. The mechanism may not work properly, and pieces may remain unground.
Now, if your grinder is electric, you can probably set the grinding time. Try to set it so that it does not grind the herb at a subatomic level, as picking it up afterward would be a nightmare.
Mortar and pestle
There is a tool that can be found in virtually any kitchen. It is the mortar and pestle. But before you run to grind your herb, pay attention to one important
point.
It will take some time and effort, especially if your herb is not quite dry. That’s why our personal recommendation is to let the buds dry for a few hours in the sun. This way, they will break easily once in the mortar.
You should also be careful not to be carried away. If you overdo it with the grinding, you will be left with a powder that is too fine, and we don’t want
that. And as the last point, yes, you should wash the mortar before and after use.
Pepper grinder
Did you know that both herbs and black pepper contain cannabinoids? Here’s a fun fact, and here’s another: the pepper grinder is perfect for grinding the herb if you don’t have a grinder. Of course, if the herb is even slightly damp, it can clog the mechanism. This would lead to many problems that are not worth mentioning, so it is better to dry them first.
If you don’t want to die of a clogged airway, clean the grinder before using it. Be sure to remove all traces of the pepper. After using the pepper mill, we also recommend cleaning it. Of course, unless you don’t see a problem with spicing foods that way.
Knife
This is probably one of the easiest methods on this list. Take your buds, put them on a chopping board and use a knife to grind them little by little. It is preferable that you don’t use a serrated knife but a smooth-bladed knife with a decent edge.
Grind the herb until it has the ideal texture, but without turning it into powder. As always, wash the utensils well, especially the knife, to which pieces of the herb can stick.
It is not strictly necessary, but drying the herb in the sun before chopping will make your work easier. All you’ll need is a good eye for how far to chop and some patience.
Pizza cutter
We all agree that a pizza cutter isn’t exactly a katana. But you don’t need much of an edge to grind herb, just good technique. Put your buds on a chopping board. Hold each bud by its end and chop from the edge into slices with the pizza cutter. Once you have chopped everything this way, gather everything in a pile and pass the cutter through.
We recommend being attentive and removing the stems as soon as possible. Remember that a pizza cutter is not sharp enough to chop the stems. In other words, if you don’t remove them, you will find yourself with impossible-to-chop pieces that will greatly hinder you.
Hammer and paper bag
It’s worth noting that this method is quite therapeutic, so it’s fine for draining anxiety and crying for a while. But what brings it here is that it is quite simple to grind herbs without a grinder.
In this case, it is mandatory that the herb is completely dry, as the moisture will prevent it from breaking under the blows of the hammer. Then, dry your herb and put it inside the paper bag. Place the bag on a hard, sturdy surface. Hit it with a hammer, not too hard, not too soft.
In about two minutes, the herb should have the ideal texture. So after that time, you will be able to remove it. But do not forget the resin with a high THC content that adhered to the bag. However, removing it will be easy, as the paper bag is non-stick.
Cheese grater
If there’s anything more fun than grating cheese, it’s grating herb on a cheese grater. In addition, this utensil is in most homes, so you won’t have to look for one. Find a container in which to place the grated herb and choose the best side of the grater. We recommend the side with the smaller pattern, as it will give a better grind.
Although due to the resin, it is likely to be a bit difficult to extract all the herb residue from the grater. Therefore, you should have a toothpick or needle handy. It is also very useful to use a toothbrush that you no longer use.
Shot glass and scissors
This trick will come in handy at any party. Grab a shot glass and a pair of scissors.
Clean and dry the glass and scissors very well. Remove some of the herbs from the bud with your fingers and pour them into the bottom of the glass. Then, you will have to use the tip of the scissors to make cuts so that each time, the pieces are smaller and smaller. Although this is a very repetitive activity, it is important not to rush. One violent movement can send the herb flying across the room and… well, bye-bye herb.
For that same reason, look for a stable, dry, clean surface away from inebriated people. In addition, if you have some herb left over at the bottom of the shot when you’re done, leave it there in the meantime.
Credit Card
We know what you’re thinking, but don’t be alarmed; this time, you’ll be using your credit card just to cut your herb. The truth is that credit cards are made of very hard and resistant plastic. This makes them the perfect tools to replace a grinder.
Just keep a few things in mind. Essentially, you will be using the card as a knife. Find a flat, smooth surface, preferably a kitchen board. Clean the card before and after use. Before, because no one wants to smoke dirty herb; and after, because it will smell a lot like herb and be sticky.
Blender
Okay, the blender is the stoner equivalent of the chainsaw, and, yes, maybe that’s too much. The bigger the demand, the bigger the industry, right? If you need to grind large amounts of herb, then use the blender in your kitchen.
Read these tips before you make a mess. Remove the stems and seeds. Pour the herb into the blender and turn it on low speed for a short time. This way, you can more or less control the fineness of the grind. Remember that you are dealing with nothing more and nothing less than a domestic blender. Ten seconds of grinding will be more than enough. More time than necessary will turn your herb into the sand.
In addition, we insist that this method is efficient only and large amounts of herb are used. In case you find yourself at a party, ask around in case someone wants to collaborate with your happy juice.
Natural tools
No, we’re not talking about tools you’ll find in a forest or a stream. It’s simpler than that. We’re talking about your own hands. That’s right, believe it or not, you can use your hands to grind herbs. What do you need? Patience and fingernails at least a few millimeters long.- Start with the big buds. Break them into smaller pieces, and then use your fingernails to chop them into smaller pieces.
- As always, we insist that the herb must be completely dry, as it is much easier to handle it this way. Just by handling it, it will start to break down, which is exactly what we are looking for.
- Wash your hands before you start, but dry them very well, or you will get the herb wet. When you’re done, scrape your fingers with scissors or a card to get the remaining resin off. Then wash your hands thoroughly.
- If by any chance your herb is too sticky, then you will need to be especially careful. If you don’t handle it the right way, you will end up compressing the leaves, making the task more difficult. On the other hand, it is best to work on a sheet of paper or plate. In turn, place the sheet or plate on a hard, clean, and smooth surface without any cracks. All this will make it very easy to harvest the herb later on.