No matter your preferred smoking method, your weed needs to be ground first. This helps you enjoy the full potency and flavor of your flower while ensuring a smooth, even burn. The problem? Sometimes, you’re ready to light one up but don’t have a weed grinder on hand.
At Sky’s the Limit DC, we’re dedicated to providing the cannabis community with all of the insights and tips you need to get the most out of your flower. We’re covering 10 simple methods you can use to work your cannabis into a fine consistency so you’ll know how to grind weed without a grinder no matter where life takes you.
10 Ways To Grind Weed Without a Grinder
Maybe the smoke sesh is spontaneous — or maybe you just forgot to pack the essentials. No matter the reason, you need to grind without a grinder on hand. Don’t panic. Simply find one of the items below and be on your way to enjoying finely ground bud. Here’s how to grind weed with no grinder in sight.
1. Shot Glass and Scissors
We are big fans of the shot glass and scissors approach since you’ll usually find shot glasses around in social settings.
What you need:
- A shot glass
- Scissors
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Clean the shot glass and scissors with warm water and soap, then dry them
- Step 2: Put your weed nuggets directly in the shot glass (only fill it about halfway so you have room to work)
- Step 3: Holding the scissor handles, place the blades inside of the shot glass and begin snipping
The shot glass helps prevent a mess and keeps your newly ground weed in one contained and tidy place.
2. Pill Bottle and Coins
If you’re out and about and don’t have access to household items, you can use a pill bottle and a coin.
What you need:
- A heavy coin (like a quarter)
- A pill bottle
- Rubbing alcohol (or sanitizing wipes)
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Thoroughly sanitize your coin using rubbing alcohol or wipes (coins aren’t known for their cleanliness)
- Step 2: Put your nuggets inside your pill bottle (don’t pack it to the top as you’ll need some space inside to operate)
- Step 3: Add the coin to the bottle and put the lid on
- Step 4: Shake the bottle fast and hard — the coin should break up your weed
- Step 5: Check on your weed every 20 to 30 seconds until you’re happy with the consistency
Don’t have a pill bottle on hand? You can use any small, clean container with a secure lid to get the job done.
3. Cutting Board & Knife
If you regularly chop up other herbs in your kitchen, then you should have a cutting board and a sharp knife. And if you are at someone else’s home, they will almost certainly have these tools.
What you need:
- A cutting board
- A non-serrated knife
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Clean your cutting board and knife
- Step 2: Place your bud on the cutting board
- Step 3: Begin finely shopping it, just like you would other herbs like cilantro or parsley
A plastic cutting board is best since it won’t absorb odors the way a wooden one does. However, any cutting board will do.
4. Pizza Cutter
The beauty of using a pizza cutter to grind your weed is that you’ll probably use the same tool again later when the munchies hit.
What you need:
- A pizza cutter
- A cutting board
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Place a bud on the cutting board, and hold it firmly on one end
- Step 2: Begin slicing the end of the bud that you aren’t holding, moving toward your hand until it’s unsafe to continue slicing
- Step 3: Repeat step 2 with every bud
- Step 4: Move your cut-up buds to the center of the board, creating a small pile
- Step 5: Slice through the pile several times for a finer grind
Now just be sure to clean your pizza cutter before that double-pepperoni-and-jalapeno pie arrives (or don’t, if you like the added herbaceous flavor).
5. Paper Bag and Hammer
Interested in grinding weed without a grinder while simultaneously working out some aggression? Then this is the method for you.
What you need:
- A paper bag
- A hammer
- A solid surface
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Place your (dried) nuggets inside the paper bag
- Step 2: Scrunch the top of the bag closed and hold it tight
- Step 3: Place the bag on a solid surface, like a concrete block or workshop bench
- Step 4: Smash away at the buds inside the paper bag with a hammer until you reach your desired consistency
Paper bags are naturally non-stick, so you should be able to easily dump your ground-up weed out of the bag once you’re done.
6. Credit Card
This is the best way to grind weed without a grinder when you aren’t at home. Someone in your group is bound to have a credit card (or several) on them.
What you need:
- A credit card
- A cutting surface
- Rubbing alcohol (or sanitizing wipes)
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Sanitize the credit card
- Step 2: Place your bud on your cutting surface
- Step 3: Hold both sides of the credit card, cutting with the long side
If you don’t have a credit card, any plastic card will do, like an insurance card or a library card. Just be sure to sanitize whatever you do use, since your wallet probably isn’t the cleanest place.
7. Blender
So you need to grind weed without a grinder but … it’s a lot of weed. Using the other methods we covered might take too long if you’re looking to gring in bulk. If the blender is already out for pina coladas and daquiries, just wash it and use it for your cannabis.
What you need:
- A blender
- A clean brush (a pastry brush is best)
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Remove your seeds and stems
- Step 2: Put your buds in your blender
- Step 3: Blend your cannabis in 10-second bursts on the “pulse” setting, checking on it between rounds
- Step 4: Once it’s reached your desired consistency, dump the weed out onto a plate or rolling tray
- Step 5: Use your dry, clean pastry brush to gently brush out any pieces that are stuck in the blender
You are free to play with the other blender settings. Just be sure to select one that lets you control how long it runs, because you don’t want to run it for longer than 10-second intervals.
8. Cheese Grater
You can use the same tool that turns blocks of parmesan into delicious shreds to turn your buds into ready-to-smoke weed.
What you need:
- A cheese grater
- A plate
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Place your cheese grater on top of a plate, just like you would if you were grating cheese
- Step 2: Rub the biggest end of your bud against the panel with the smallest grates
- Step 3: Grate your bud down until there’s little left to hold onto
- Step 4: Check the plate for seeds or stems, and pluck those out
It’s always a good idea to look over the grater’s teeth to ensure no bud is left clinging to it. If you do see some left, you can use a dry, clean pastry brush — or even an unused toothbrush — to brush those onto the plate.
9. Mortar and Pestle
Go old school and use the same tools ancient medicine men used to create tinctures and healing powders.
What you need:
- A mortar
- A pestle
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Place your buds in the mortar
- Step 2: Begin grinding away at your buds with your pestle
You can pick your weed out of the mortar, or scoop it into a separate rolling tray if you prefer. It’s a good idea to let your weed sit out for a few hours before using this method because weed is easier to manually grind when dry.
10. Use Your Hands
While this isn’t the fastest method, if you need to grind weed without a grinder and don’t have any of the other items we’ve listed, you can always use your hands. Hey, it’s how our cannabis-loving ancestors did it before we created modern tools.
What you need:
- A clean grinding surface (like a weed tray or a large plate)
How it’s done:
- Step 1: Thoroughly wash your hands and your grinding surface
- Step 2: Begin by picking out the stems and seeds
- Step 3: Pick the bud apart into small pieces — as small as you can make them
Hand grinding isn’t the most efficient method, but some cannabis lovers find the process to be meditative and calming. So once you learn how to break up weed, you might even look forward to it and choose this method over others.
Why Should You Grind Weed?
Once you’ve gone through the trouble of selecting a flower, and a purveyor you like and trust, you want to be sure you enjoy the full potential of your weed. Grinding it is an important step in unlocking all of the therapeutic and euphoric effects of your bud, and in getting the most out of every ounce.
Consistency in Dose and Potency
The cannabis plant contains different cannabinoids, like THC and CBD. However, it’s unlikely that every millimeter of your bud has the exact same ratio of cannabinoids as the next. The best way to ensure a consistent ratio of THC and CBD in every hit is to grind your weed, so that the cannabinoids can be evenly distributed throughout it.
Superior Heat Distribution
Ensuring a consistent ratio of cannabinoids throughout your weed isn’t the only part of ensuring a consistent experience with each hit of your joint. It’s also important that your weed burns evenly, and grinding it can help it do just that.
Increased Surface Area
By grinding your weed, you also increase its surface area, which results in a better flow of oxygen. The result? A more satisfying hit, every time, because the heat will more evenly release cannabinoids and terpenes across your joint.
How Fine Should You Grind?
Knowing how to crush weed for each application will help you better enjoy every method of consumption. How finely you should grind it really depends on how you plan on enjoying it. Below we’ll cover the different uses, and how finely to grind your herb for each.
- Joints and blunts: A fine grind is ideal. Unground bits of flower can break your joint paper, and result in an uneven burn.
- Edibles: It depends! Some cannabis cooks like a really fine grind for even distribution throughout their creations. However, leaving your bud a little coarser will help preserve its aroma and flavor, which certain chefs like in their food.
- Pipes or bongs: A medium grind. The larger pieces can stop the smaller ones from pulling through and clogging your glass.
As you experiment with the different grinding methods we covered in this blog, you’ll find that some are better for a fine grind while some are better for a medium one. So you can slowly build your toolbox, and know just what to reach for, whether you’re rolling a joint, using a bong, or making something in the kitchen.
After You Grind
Now that you know how to grind weed without a grinder, the question remains: how much should you grind at once? And, how should you store your leftovers? The truth is that grinding your weed will cause it to lose some of its potency. That’s because, through the grinding process, you’re exposing bud to small amounts of heat and oxygen. So, it’s best to only grind about as much as you need for this session, and maybe the next. Even though some cannabis connoisseurs will tell you ground weed can stay good for up to 30 days, it won’t be as potent as it was the day you ground it.
Store your unused ground weed in an airtight mason jar. Skip plastic baggies, as these can leach plastic into your flower. Be sure to keep your weed in a cool, dry, and dark place. Sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can all cause your flower to lose potency, flavor, and aroma. Plus, moisture can cause your cannabis to grow mold (remember, it is a plant!).
Find Accessories and More at Sky’s The Limit DC
You’re now an expert on how to grind marijuana without a grinder, meaning you’re ready to enjoy your flower, any time, any place. Next, you need the right devices and accessories to elevate your experience.
At Sky’s The Limit DC, we have a selection of high-quality glass products like pipes, bongs, and rigs to help you enjoy your cannabis, your way. Plus, we have an assortment of CBD products, vapes, and hookah items to round out your relaxation and recreation routines. Contact us today or visit our DC smoke shop where our friendly and knowledgeable weed experts will help you pick out the items that will enhance your smoke sessions.
