Cleaning a metal grinder isn’t as complicated as you’d think. To get a smooth-turning metal grinder, all you have to do is take it apart, soak it in some isopropyl alcohol, and give it a quick scrubbing. There are some steps you can take in between for an even deeper clean, like freezing it and running it under hot water.
This quick guide walks you through each step of cleaning a metal grinder to make sure that you have an efficient tool to pulverize your herb for a better cannabis experience. Learn more about the Dosage Grinder.
Why Do I Need To Clean A Metal Grinder?
After several uses, metal grinders get all sorts of gunk stuck between their pieces: plant matter, kief, and resin. These usually clog the lid, making it hard to turn. When that happens, it becomes difficult to rotate the grinding teeth to pulverize buds.
A clean high quality metal grinder such as the one from Davinci, is key to maximizing your cannabis vaporizing experience. Not only does it make it easier to pack your ground herb in your device’s oven (plus, most devices encourage ground herbs, anyway), it also improves the potency, taste, and smell of your bud.
How Often Should I Clean A Metal Grinder?
The good news is that you don’t need to clean a metal grinder every single time you use it. Every one or two months will do if you’re a frequent user. You’ll know if it’s time to clean your metal grinder when there’s resistance when you turn the lid. That said, you’d want to clean it right before it becomes too hard to rotate.
How To Clean A Metal Grinder
To clean a metal grinder, you’ll need:
- Your dirty metal grinder
- Toothpicks
- A soft-bristled brush
- Isopropyl alcohol
- A Ziploc bag or a large glass container
- Water
- A bowl, plate, or container
The first thing you have to do is set up a workstation. You’ll want to clean your grinder on a flat surface like a table.
To start, take apart the chambers so you can make sure that you tend to every nook and cranny. Then you can place the disassembled grinder in the freezer for 30 minutes. This helps harden any remaining residue, making it easier to remove.
Using a toothpick, try to harvest some leftover herb from the teeth, sides, and grooves of each piece, tapping them out to keep or discard. You can use these to make cannabis oil or butter later on. If your grinder has a kief chamber, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub off the remaining keef, making sure that you catch it in a receptacle.
Place the dismantled grinder in a Ziploc bag or glass jar filled with isopropyl alcohol, then let it sit until the liquid becomes muddy. That’s all the resin that has built up in the grinder after several uses. This could take just half an hour, but you can also leave it overnight if you think your grinder needs it. That said, if you think your grinder doesn’t need a deep clean, you can skip this step and just go straight to cleaning it in warm soapy water.
Place your grinder into a bowl, deep plate, or glass container, then pour soapy water that’s warm to the touch. Rub or brush your grinder with a soft-bristled brush to remove the remaining residue.
Once done, rinse it and let it dry completely. You don’t want any sort of moisture left in there since metal is susceptible to rust. Allow it to air dry, then wipe it off with a paper towel. To be extra safe, you can do a final rinse with isopropyl alcohol to draw out any more water particles.
Conclusion
Clean devices are a key factor to great vaping sessions. And while we know that means that we have to keep our vapes pristine, we often overlook the other tools that complete the cannabis vaping experience. Keeping your metal grinder in tip-top shape makes vaping even better since it gets you the most out of your bud. So remember to give it (and any other tools you need to round out your vaping sessions) just as much TLC as your vape.