If you’re not grinding your weed, you probably should be. Aside from the fact that you can break down your buds evenly while saving time and energy, grinders can also double as storage and catch kief, the collected trichomes that contain many cannabinoids. Packing a bowl with ground flower also makes for a cleaner and more even burn – the same goes for rolling joints, too! If you don’t have a grinder or just simply feel like it’s time for an upgrade, we’ve picked a few of the top options on the market to help you find just what you’re looking for.
Made in the USA in Cincinnati, Ohio, Herb Ripper prides itself on its precision engineering and 100% medical-grade stainless steel design. Herb Ripper makes some of the most durable weed grinders on the market, featuring quarter-turn “firehose” threading, sharp teeth and a lifetime warranty. Even more, Herb Ripper grinders are uniquely customizable. Consumers have the option to choose between fine, medium and course grinds, as well as different micron sizes for kief filtering as well. If all that’s not enough, Herb Rippers are dishwasher safe and come shipped to your door in professional and discreet packaging.
Space Case grinders have been around for a long time – and for good reason. Frequently mentioned as one of the best American-made grinders, they are loved for their quality materials, performance and design. Made with top of the line aerospace aluminum, Space Case grinders are strong, durable and won’t get banged up easily. There have even been stories of people owning Space Cases for 15 years and up! Plus, they’re really lightweight, fit great in your hand, and have sharp teeth that make for perfect herb shredding.
Space Case also includes nylon O-rings in their design, making for a smooth grind that is particularly easier for people with arthritis or injuries. Space Case grinders come in small, medium and large sizes in a variety of finishes. Check one out today to see why they’re so popular!
Considered one of the best grinders on the market, SharpStone is famous for its innovation. Made of heavy duty aircraft billet aluminum, their grinders come in several sizes, pieces and colors. SharpStone has magnetic lids and sharp, durable diamond teeth that make for a very fine grind. They also have features for people who have a hard time using their hands, like Teflon O-rings for easier twisting and a grinder with a crank mechanism on top.
California-based Cali Crusher has been in the grinder business since 2010 and have established themselves as a go-to company for their huge variety of colors, models and prices. Made from anodized aluminum, Cali Crushers have extra sharp teeth that keep the grinder in top form, and feature hard tops, clear tops and crank grinders. Their Homegrown line is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., unlike their other lines which are manufactured in China.
Billing themselves as the “Medical Grade Standard,” Phoenician grinders are sourced and made in the U.S.A. and are especially good options for medical patients. Coming in both two and four piece models, they have a knurl grip, allowing arthritic or injured hands an easier twist. Another distinctive element is the decreased tooth amount, allowing room for more herb and a smoother grind. Phoenician grinders also feature a pollen screen that can be removed and replaced, allowing for easy cleaning. For a splurge, the Elite Series are glazed in 24-karat gold and chrome.
What sets Kannastör grinders apart from its competitors is the GR8TR line. With eight distinct pieces, the screens are removable and the grinder plates can be changed, making it simple to make both coarse and fine cuts. Kannastör is similar to other grinders in terms of capability and durability, but they have a lot of product options, including the GR8TR, multi-chamber, and single chamber lines. With a limited lifetime warranty, they’ll cover you, even for normal wear and tear.
If you’re looking for variety, affordability, and a lifetime warranty you should take a look at Zip Grinders. They have several options, including the Mega Crusher, the Asian-inspired Pagoda Tower and a few designer lids featuring artistic imagery. The Mega Crusher has an extra-large storage chamber and can hold up to six tablespoons of flower, making it doubly handy as both a grinder and storage container.
California’s Santa Cruz Shredder is making waves. Utilizing Siemens CAD Software, they’ve patented a “perfect” shredding tooth design. Leaving “sharper is better” behind, they’ve focused on strength that won’t dull. The teeth cut multiple ways, the idea being to “fluff to perfection.” Other features are a unique “7-Catch Design,” to easily adjoin grinder parts, and a knurled grip.
Santa Cruz is the only grinder with strict “Medical-Grade Ultrasonic Cleansing procedures,” which removes all traces of contaminants like dust, dirt, and toxic oils and polish. Santa Cruz guarantees the Shredder is the only medical-grade grinder in the world (although Phoenician Engineering may argue that claim).
Santa Cruz is the only grinder with strict “Medical-Grade Ultrasonic Cleansing procedures,” which removes all traces of contaminants like dust, dirt, and toxic oils and polish. Santa Cruz guarantees the Shredder is the only medical-grade grinder in the world (although Phoenician Engineering may argue that claim).
Despite the rise in concentrates, waxes, edibles, and a host of prepared cannabis products, most people still buy and use regular cannabis flowers—good old-fashioned pot. And most people smoking, vaporizing, or cooking with cannabis can benefit from a grinder. With a grinder you can quickly and easily turn dense, sticky buds into material that will heat evenly and efficiently. If you partake only on occasion, an inexpensive model will do enough to make your rare indulgence all the better. But if you regularly reach for a vaporizer, the investment in a high-end cannabis grinder won’t seem like a stretch and will pay off in the form of more bang for your bud. Though cheap grinders sometimes break, a high-quality grinder is an investment that should last for years.
Most people who casually reach for a vaporizer from time to time probably don’t have much use for separating the kief—the highly potent, crystal-like dust on leaves of cannabis plants—from the rest of the material, so we didn’t focus on kief-catching features like screens.
Be sure to read about the health and legal implications of cannabis use in our guide to portable vaporizers. Just like vaporizers, grinders are legal up until you use them with an illegal substance. Then, they become paraphernalia and are subject to the corresponding laws in your jurisdiction.
Great writeup on the Gr8tr! Shame it is a bit cumbersome to work with and put together. Maybe a second generation will correct the areas you need for improvement in the future.