blaza135

chat

send private message

joined mar 2025

share blaza135 and generate bitcoin with reference codes.

0 topics on blaza135

2 posts by blaza135

1 post

+2 votes

on BigRoo

Cleaning My Grinder: A Story With Questions

this is pretty much what i do too

+14

on BigRoo

Cleaning My Grinder: A Story With Questions

- The Dirty Grinder Problem -

My grinder is a few years old. It's a metal one that screws together in separate layers for grinding, ground, and kief. It has never been meaningfully cleaned. I've poked and chipped at it a bit when it got stuck. The kief catcher has been blocked for ages although I was never sure I wanted my kief caught in anything other than what I'm currently smoking in the first place. Its become more of a masher than a grinder as compacted dark resin coats much of its once sharp teeth.

- New Grinder Dreams -

I was thinking of buying a new grinder when I decided I should probably clean the current one up first to see how much that helped. One of the grinder teeth snapped off years ago and it actually really improves how the grinder works. That gap is where your bit of weed starts. If I made grinders I'd engineer a weed gap something like this in. If I bought a new grinder I'd be tempted to break a tooth off. I'm sure several people will tell me why I'm wrong about this but it's a hill I shall die on.

- I Need Alcohol -

So first thing I reached for was our good friend alcohol. That age old tale like it's the solution to all of life's problems - but it quickly became clear that poking a bit of alcohol around was inadequate for this.

Obviously more alcohol was needed. That age old tale...So the whole grinder went in for an iso bath. Cleaning it with a sacrificial toothbrush after a good soak brought it back to factory levels of cleanliness pretty quickly with all that compacted resin dissolved into the alcohol. But it had one flaw. It was now a super sticky solution. A film of glue-like stickiness had settled across every surface of the grinder. After you touched it, the same is true for you. We are back in sticky Spiderman fingers territory. More wiping with alcohol didn't seem to clean it so much as smear it onto more surfaces.

- Saving New York -

So before I started using my sticky fingers to climb buildings and save New York City from crime, I went for possibly not the best solution, but for the one within the easiest reach of my Spidey fingers. Cif cream cleaner.

- The Lemon Problem -

This dispersed the stickiness with ease using the same ex-toothbrush. I think it more thoroughly cleaned the grinder too. The problem now wasn't stickiness, it was lemonness. And not the nice lemonness one might have in their grinder. The bad lemonness that you don't want. It'd be like smoking a yellow block from a urinal if I put weed through it.

- The Wet Problem -

After some more rinsing and cleansing the problem was no longer lemonness. It was wetness. The kief mesh and the many nooks and crannies hide water away. This was a better problem to have but still a problem. After much careful patting and some hairdryering I decided some resting time was needed for full dryness.

- The Outcome -

A while later I tried it out and it's essentially like a new grinder. It twists super smoothly with ease, evenly grinding buds into useful little pieces and once more my kief is being caught.

- Kief or Thief -

Although I'm still questioning if saving kief is better than having it now. Is it robbing me under the guise of future reward? Like daylight savings when the clocks change back. We don't ever get an extra hour in bed. Merely what was once already ours has been returned. If someone stole a tenner out of your wallet in spring then gave it back to you in Autumn you would not thank them for it. So is it a kief catcher a kief thief? I'm intrigued to know people's thoughts on this one.

- New And Improved -

The grinder basically works like new but with the added toothless gap that seems to improve function for me anyway and feels like a design feature. It's my hill - my hill folks.

- Fresh and Clean -

It may not be completely radical news to many people out there but cleaning stuff makes it better. My grinds are now fresher than a brand new pair of underpants.

- Thanks -

As always thanks for reading, I hope it was informative and if not I hope it was entertaining in some way at least.

Please upvote the post of you like reading this stuff and get involved in the comments to let me know how or if you clean your grinder - or what the cool kids use to grind with these days - and whether it's a kief or thief device? Thanks.

FingersOfRichmond

I need to clean mine again.
I just stick it in a pot of water and boil it, everything basically falls off at that point!

BigRoo

I didn't think that would work as water never washes resin off your hands. Part of why I'd put it off for so long. Might try that first next time.

LightUser

I keep it simple a cheap plastic grinder that comes out of the dishwasher completely pristine.

Cannabis Cannibals 9.7/10

Reading this brought back memories using these hand grinders. My 2 cents is they are a great budget/starter solution but if you're a hardcore daily smoker like me take my advise and get a cheap ninja, nutribullet or kenwood blender for like 30 quid that comes with a smaller jug for nuts etc. Then take your daily buds (3-7g?) grind them for a second or 2 and you have your weed ground for the day just need to roll them. Do this and the walls of the jug will staticly attract and build up kief and every month or 2 you will harvest an oz or more kief that you can turn into hash or press the rosin from it.
The missing "stashed" kief is not noticeable in your joints as I'm sure you could tell by experience using a kief catcher grinder where you will lose plenty of it stuck to the teeth and the walls of it anyways.
So having an oz or so kief as a reward or cashback every month or so is 100% worth it when you light a fat one up boosted with your own hash or rosin!
Thank me later ;)

BigRoo

I tend to flick between different flavours all day so only grind one or two spliffs worth at a time. The last grinder I bought was actually downsized from previous so is the mini type I guess. I'm not at your level mate where you need industrial electrical hardware for your bud volumes!

Cannabis Cannibals 9.7/10

I wouldn't call a kitchen blender industrial level hardware but even when I grind 1g I use that it just more convenient, same goes for having pre ground weed the kief is just a bonus really that builds up over time.

BigRoo

It is compared to my little one spliff grinder. I feel underpowered man.

Cannabis Cannibals 9.7/10

That's what I mean, I been there. I know what's it like to grind as you go. Done that for nearly 2 decades and I felt stupid when I started using the blender for not doing it sooner. Just saves me hand grinding everytime I want to roll a joint and having ground weed in a tupperware for a couple days is perfectly fine for me, I often had 3-4 flavours pre ground but these days I only have 1 or sometimes 2 strains pre ground for the day.

BigRoo

I can still remember my mate turning up with the first grinder I'd seen years ago. Thought it was stupid and unnecessary at first glance. About 3 minutes later after seeing it used, "can I borrow your grinder mate" I still like a grind and sniff as part of my rolling ritual. Might be an interesting topic to discuss rolling rituals - yours has clearly evolved. One of my mates always rolls 3 at once for example, lights one and pockets the other two for later.

Cannabis Cannibals 9.7/10

Yeah I also do that often, having a few pre rolled if I'm out for a while or just a couple in advance ready to go while busy. Call it lazy or convenient I guess to me it just became to repetative grinding each joint one at a time.

BigRoo

I never think that far ahead. I'm wondering now if I rolled a batch up if it'd be convenient and save time or I'd just blitz through weed much quicker by chaining my rolls.

Cannabis Cannibals 9.7/10

Just having them pre ground already saves me a lot of time.
The rolling part only takes few seconds but having them ready to go certainly helps.

MightyRux

Great read, as usual mate. Iso should work if you cover it and leave it for ages. Mine looked like swamp water when I last tried this. Felt like I was wasting all the goodness though, so my mate suggested boiling it in milk next time. Yeah, don't do that. What a mess, and I threw the pan away. That's probably more a me issue and not paying attention. The grinder, however was fine, eventually.

I've had (and am having) very solid service from a Herb Ripper grinder, which is available in both kief stealing and non varieties. I went with the stealing version and it blocked up. It always blocks up.

BigRoo

I've decided when I do finally get another grinder it'll be a no kief thief. It's not just a choice but a lifestyle. Life on the edge man. No kief reserves. That's like a pension scheme for trichomes. All or nothing grinding is the way forward.

Comfortablenumb

I go for the cheap plastic grinders buy 4 for £5 off amazon and just bin them when they are too gunked up😬.
I use a keif box with a 100ų screen for all of my bud so it collects nice clean keif

BigRoo

I used to get The Original Grinder Company ones out the local shop. Were a few quid but nice to know the convenience store understands its customer base by getting in quality plastic grinders. They sell blunt papers too. I don't know what they are but have seen the crazy kids buying them. Since then though I've aimed to use as little plastic as possible. I figured a metal grinder would last a long time and it's fully recyclable once I'm done. It has lasted ages and now clean is really like new. I'll buy another one but will choose more carefully next time now I know the level of time commitment I'm making.

I remember every so often I'd have a kief smoke before it blocked. It'd be strong as was such a blend of bits and bobs. But each saved bit and each saved bob must be robbed from me now. I was considering not getting the same thing on my next grinder.

Trader94

I broke a tooth off my old small palm sized grinder, it worked better like you said until eventually physics took over and snapped all the rest of the teeth one by one due to the uneven pressure load. Bought a new proper sized one and it's actually engineered pretty well, not too mention made very well.

When cleaning, I use iso too. Give it a soak for a few hours in 80-100% iso, and have a go at it with a tooth brush. When finished, give it another rinse off with fresh iso, the sticky film will rinse off just as easy. Let it air dry and you're good to go!

That small grinder lasted a good 6 years.. and it was only a fiver! 😂

BigRoo

I swear man that there's a product design computer out there could engineer in the toothless gap feature and improve this base object we all use with that useful buffer within the grinding space. I should crowdfund a new startup Gappy Grinder Ltd on LB and make it happen. I've not broken another tooth yet but there's one that's not exactly happy. It's a work in progress I guess.

Trader94

Hahahaha
I take out literally every little bit of stem, so my buds are never really big enough I need a gap. I basically end up finger grinding half of it.
I linked the grinder I bought, very similar design to a santa cruz shredder. The teeth are engineered to push the bud a certain way between the teeth, its a completely different grind to your standard diamond teeth grinder. Definitely worth a try. Even has a little plastic ring built into the lid to stop paint chippings and screeching

https://amzn.eu/d/bDesAhv

BigRoo

I've looked at the Santa cruz shredder grinders. I might indulge. Considering how many years this one's lasted and how often I use it, it's not a bad investment. Could see me through the rest of my days. I don't think I'll go for a kief thief next time. I want all the goodness now.

I'm going to lose it aren't I.

FingersOfRichmond

I have a purple Santa Cruz shredder and I wouldn’t really recommend it.
Poor threads, coating chips. Just not great!
Plastic ones might be better I guess

BigRoo

Thanks man. Top tip and it's answered one of my questions. My current grinder is only anodised on external bits so I'd wondered about that over time. Santa Cruz is off the list.

FingersOfRichmond

Problem is the (supposed) end game grinders are proper spenny e.g., brilliant cut at $100+ I think

I really need to change up before I start coughing up purple
Luckily vaping is quite filtered anyway so hopefully none of it is already in there

BigRoo

I'm appreciating my grinder all the more. Not sure I'll pay that sort of designer money for one to replace it. I'd rather spend 20 bucks and get a bag of weed.

fateharder

did i hear some buddy say toothless grinder https://recommendedvapesupplies.co.uk/products/flowermill-next-gen-premium (there is a cheaper aluminium one also)

BigRoo

That's actually pretty cool. A nice design. I wonder what it's like after having hundreds of buds through it. Might have to have a proper look at these later.

Tiger210

Love reading your stuff man, please keep it up, and it was on your reco that I picked GreenCat for my first purchase - no regrets whatsoever. So thank you for that.

To the matter at hand though, you've channeled one of my secret penchants - that for cleaning. I believe a clean is the cheapest repair. And for anything involving organic compounds such as food and the good bud, I have to say, anything inorganic is just, well, grinding me up the wrong way, much like a bad bud broaching device, brother.

So, can I suggest following an organic cleansing ritual for your toothless wonder: firstly, splash liberally or dunk shallowly in some (white) vinegar and then sprinkle with some bicarb (not baking soda) and watch the fizzy, oooh. This should cut through some of the resin, but maybe not all cos it is a sticky goo. Maybe have another go, cos yeah, bicarb fizzy cool. Not once, not twice, but trichome's the charm.

Then, you do need some natural acid to cut a little further: slishe a lemon in two, and press and grind. I wonder if this could also inadvertently be the start of some wonderful concentrated edible tincture, the lemon juice and the goo, I don't know. I'll let someone else try, but maybe you could start with this method and follow up with the vinegre, if you're so inclined.

But then, finally, as some other good fellow suggested, boil it: just water and again, squeezed lemon or that white vinegar. All natural, all clean, because you're worth it, my bro.

And following the organic theme, if it plugs in the wall, it takes away some of that soul. Cos after all, we are green, we spice up life with the herb, a flower, a blooming bud and in that, there's no need for a machine.

I do hope you concur and may the good times continue to roll.

BigRoo

Thanks man. Green cat was the first vendor I ordered from too. I then tried loads of different vendors before returning again. I'll get a few bits and bobs elsewhere but the price and quality at GC is solid.

My grinder is some kind of aluminium alloy. Doesn't aluminium react with sodium?

aero

I gave up on my trusty plastic grinder when i heard about all the microplastic stuff

had a metal one since it had the kief catcher but i removed the screen section so now im smoking the full shabang 😄

+1.2

BigRoo

I might do that on mine. Did it come out easily? Or leave a mess?

aero

I just pushed throw mine with two fingers haha

the full mesh came out so no mess or sharp edges

BigRoo

I was thinking I'd get a very technical description back but this sounds simple enough for me to do. I'll have a look at mine later.

aero

yes probably different for each grinder

1st world problems ay?

BigRoo

I guess targeted grinder vandalism over a kief storage indecision is, on a world scale, a nice problem to have.

Thewizardofoz420 9.8/10

This makes me think about the time I went to Amsterdam for a quick trip, and purchased a fairly cheap, if not reasonable plastic grinder for my time there.

One thing I must say though, that grinder, of course being new was just a joy to use. It weren't like those plastic grinders you get here from the poundshop which starts making screeching noises after a couple spins 😂

Nonetheless, I lost that grinder on the last day and now I'm here rolling a joint using my 5 year old metal grinder that needs WD-40 and doesn't spin without giving my biceps a little workout 😆

Always a good read as always Big Roo!

BigRoo

Thanks man. My grinder is lovely and smooth again now it's clean. I've also seemed to become the Barry Scott of LB without realising it.

FKRJL76

yo buy some 99.99% isopropyl (pure alcohol) from amazon, soak your grinder in a tiny amount for 2 mins and it will be as good as new. im still on my very first grinder I bought in 2001

acezero68

Brilliant read that....and I thought it was just me with the kief dilemma. I have a metal Cheech and Chong grinder...never seen a good cleaning apart from emtying the kief catcher...i have several little pots of kief laying around, I'd rather that had been in my blunt ... so definitely thief. Yes I could still smoke it.. or try and make some hash but I dont need this dilemma
I have thought about one of these here fancy electrical/battery operated grinders but I just imagine them to get constantly bunged up...and i would feel disloyal to my trusty C&C

BigRoo

I doubt I'll go electric but my next grinder will have no kief thief. I like the look of the Santa Cruz 3 piece shredder. Pretty spendy but it'll last a long time I guess.

acezero68

Yep, not going down that route again. Not seen the Santa Cruz one. I will take a peek ...if it lasts as long as my C&C one I'd be very happy.

BigRoo

Another commenter said the anodising chips off over time. My grinder is only coloured on the outside so doesn't suffer from that. I'll keep looking I think. Flag up any good ones you find mate.

acezero68

No paint on the inside either. I did see quite a nice 3 piece one today per chance...can't for the life of me remember the name but it was $79 ...metal and not painted. I'll see if I can find it again mate