Grind The Good Stuff: The Joint’s Guide To Grinders

Whether it's vaping, smoking, or cooking with cannabis, we often take one of the most important pieces of the puzzle for granted, The grinder. 

Having the right tool for the job is one of the most important parts of enjoying cannabis properly. From experience, we know better than anyone that nothing ruins the session more than some poorly ground-up buds! 

Although with all that said, finding the right fit for the job isn’t always the easiest task. 

No need to worry though, because The Joint has you covered with our handy grinder guide! Continue reading the information below and we’ll help get you up to speed and ready to purchase a brand new grinder that is perfect for any experience level!

What Is A Cannabis Grinder?:

To put it simply, a grinder does exactly what it’s named to do: Grind your Cannabis. 

More specifically, a grinder is the tool you use to break your cannabis up into smaller bits, making it easier to roll into rolling papers or for smoking bowls. 

There are a few different ways to grind up your cannabis should you not have a grinder, but if you do decide to get one it’s going to save you time and more importantly weed.

A grinder is going to give you the best possible cannabis experience. Plus depending on the type, grinders often offer extra features like a kief catcher (we’ll talk more about that later). 

Why Use A Grinder?:

1. Get the most out of your cannabis
2. Properly ground bud will burn more evenly. 
3. A kief Catcher is a must-have if you smoke a lot. 
4. Save money by using less bud per bowl. 
5. No mess! All the bud is contained within your grinder. 

Types Of Grinders: 

When you shop at The Joint, you’ll find a few different types of cannabis grinders. Acrylic, Wood, Metal, Electric? Which one is right for you?

Each of them has various price points and come with their own set of pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look. 

Acrylic Grinders: 

As the name suggests, these are grinders made from acrylic plastic. These are probably the cheapest option that you’re going to find in most head shops. Keep in mind they dull quickly and don’t last very long BUT they will get the job done if you have no better option. 

Metal Grinders: 

The third option on our list is like the Cadillac of cannabis grinders, It may cost a little bit more, but it’s the one that you know you want. 

Let me say it right off the bat, a metal grinder is well worth the extra investment. It’s going to boast strong and sharp teeth that won’t dull down and can handle whatever you’ll throw at it (or in it). 

Metal grinders typically come in two, three, and four-piece varieties that will survive day-to-day use without breaking.   

Wooden Grinders: 

Grinders aren’t just made out of metal and plastic. Wooden grinders will often feature a 2 piece design featuring a lid and a grinder. 

While these things look really cool,  they suffer from many of the same problems as their acrylic counterparts. Wooden grinders often have dull teeth that struggle to tear through thicker buds. 

I’ve personally noticed that the lid in mine will get gunked up fairly easily sometimes making the grinder difficult to use. (some grinder lubricant would probably fix this). Also with this option, you’re gonna miss out on one of the best features a grinder can have: The Kief Catcher. 

In conclusion, unless you like cleaning out your grinder often, I’d move on to the third option. 

Electric Grinders: 

Totally understandable that sometimes you’re just not feeling like manually grinding up your bud. If you’re tired of having to grind up the good stuff by hand, Then an electric grinder may just be the perfect option for you. 

While these grinders often come in a variety of shapes and sizes, going electric will provide you with an easy, reliable way to grind up your flower. 

How Many Pieces?:

One thing to note is that when choosing a grinder, you’re going to have a lot of options in regards to how many pieces it comes with. Here are a few of the options: 

• 2-Piece Weed Grinder: one compartment for grinding and storing.
• 3-Piece Weed Grinder: two compartments, one for grinding and one for storing.
• 4-Piece Weed Grinder: three compartments, one for grinding, one for storage, and one for kief complete with a screen.

Grinder Parts: 

Before we go over the different types of grinders that are out there, The most common types of weed grinders that you’ll find are made up of 4 pieces with 3 chambers. 

1. Lid (usually contains a magnet which helps it lock in place when closed) 
2. Grinding Chamber (where you place your bud) 
3. Chamber (collects your ground up cannabis) 
4. Kief catcher (A small screen that collects the fine, concentrated cannabis, aka kief)

Which Option Should I Go With?:

The best option depends on how much you’re going to use your grinder. If it’s more than once or twice a week, then definitely invest in something a little bit more robust, so that you know it isn’t going to break down after the first few smoke sessions.

Here are a few recommendations that you can find in our stores: 

     1. CanaCrush 1.5" 4 Piece Grinder

This 4 piece offering from CanaCrush is crafted from strong aircraft-grade aluminum, so you know it’s going to stay sharp and keep you puffing for a long time after your purchase. This grinder offers a smooth grind and razor-sharp teeth that will cut through whatever bud you throw at it. One last thing of note, this grinder features a kief catcher!

     2. Genuine Pipe Co Acrylic 2 Piece Grinder

Coming in at number 2 on our list is a simple yet effective grinder from Genuine Pipe Co. Cheap, lightweight, and easy to use, this option is the perfect one for those just starting out with cannabis, or when you’re in a pinch and don’t have another grinder handy. While this thing isn’t going to win any awards for longevity any time soon, but it will give your bud a solid grind. 

3. Kannastor Multi Chamber Grinder w/ Stainless w/ Screen 2.2"

This four piece herb grinder has been a Kannastor favorite for over a decade! Equipped with a replaceable screen, and also features an engineered drop through design that prevents over-shredding. In terms of build quality, this grinder is made using Anodized Food Grade Aluminum. In other words, this thing is gonna stand up to any test you can throw at it! 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, you can have the best piece, the finest papers, or the most expensive vaporizer, but without a solid grinder, you’re not having the best overall experience when using cannabis. With proper care, a good grinder can last you a lifetime of smoke sessions, so investing a little more right now is definitely worth it.

 Visit one of our cannabis locations to see our selection:

• Winnipeg Cannabis Stores
• Saskatoon Cannabis Stores
• Saskatchewan Cannabis Stores
• Regina Cannabis Stores

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