You’re grinding herb, ready to start another cannabis vaping session. But you notice that it’s getting hard to turn your plastic grinder, and that your pulverized bud isn’t as ground up as before. This means that it’s time to clean your grinder. Don’t fret, though, unlike other grinders (i.e. metal grinders), plastic grinders are quick to clean. A quick brush, a hot water bath, and a final scrub-down are all you need to get grinding efficiently again.
When Should I Clean My Plastic Grinder?
Plastic grinders don’t need to be cleaned after every use. You really only need to clean it every month or two; though if you are a heavy user, you might have to give it a cleaning every few weeks.
How Do I Know When It’s Time To Clean My Plastic Grinder?
You’ll know it’s time to clean when it becomes hard to turn the lid or if you notice that your ground-up herb isn’t as fine as it used to be. This is because grinding cannabis releases gunk and resin that builds up in the teeth and grooves of your grinder, causing them not to turn smoothly.
What Do I Need To Clean A Plastic Grinder?
To clean a plastic grinder, you only need a couple of tools that you probably already have lying around at home:
- Soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush or a makeup brush)
- Toothpick
- Freezer (optional)
- Pot or saucepan
- Tongs
- Cotton bud
- Paper towels
How To Clean A Plastic Grinder
To clean your plastic grinder, start by taking it apart. Dismantle it into individual pieces so you can tend to every part of the device. You can use a soft-bristled brush or a toothpick to loosen and remove any leftover herb in the grinder. You can also place it in the freezer for thirty minutes to make the gunk harder and more brittle, making it easier to remove; though this step is totally optional.
While you’re brushing the chambers, bring a pot of water to a boil. It should just be enough to submerge the separate pieces of your plastic grinder. Once boiling, drop your grinder into the water and let it sit for a few minutes to let the hot water work its magic. It won’t remove the resin stuck in the chambers, but it will help soften them, making it easier to scrub off the resin. Turn off the heat, then pick up the pieces with a pair of tongs and set it aside until cool enough to handle.
Working over a sink, scrub the grinder with a soft-bristled brush or a cotton bud and warm soapy water to expunge the dirt. Then use a paper towel to dry the grinder, before setting it aside to dry completely before re-assembling.
Why Do I Need To Clean My Plastic Grinder?
A plastic grinder, like all your other vaping devices, is an investment. Giving it some TLC by cleaning it is a way to make sure that it wasn’t just money down the drain.
Most importantly, though, a clean plastic grinder is a more efficient grinder. That means you get a more usable herb. And when you use this in your vape, it has higher potency, plus better taste and smell. A grinder that has unhampered grinding mechanisms produces more kief as well. Read about the smell when vaping weed.
Overall, a clean grinder equals a better cannabis vaping experience. So it’s important to give it the same care as you would your vaping devices. Learn about how to clean a glass bubbler.