What is a grinder?

An herb grinder (or simply, a grinder) is a cylindrical device with two halves (top and bottom) that separate and have sharp teeth or pegs aligned in such a way that when both halves are turned, material inside is shredded. cannabis enthusiasts have been using grinders to break down dense buds into fine, smokable particles.  Herb grinders are typically made of either metal or plastic and come in a variety of colors and polished metals.

Some grinders have two or three compartments instead of just one, with fine screens separating the bottom compartments from the ones above, thus allowing the marijuana trichomes, also called kief, to be collected separately.


What is a grinder used for?
The purpose of an herb grinder is to grind marijuana buds down to a finer consistency that you can roll into a joint or pack into a bowl. Grinders are used primarily to improve the smoking experience by breaking down cannabis flower evenly. You may not need a grinder to break down nugs into smaller pieces, but using one decreases the likelihood of clogging your pipe. It allows you to use the flower more efficiently and makes joints and blunts burn more evenly.


Buying the right herb grinder
The two main types of grinders are manual (hand-cranked) and automatic (electric or battery-powered). 
If you prefer a simpler structure, go for a grinder that  a electric herb grinder. you want your weed ready at the touch of a button.


Tips for using a grinder
Whether you buy a manual or automatic grinder, the process of grinding weed is fairly straightforward. Here are a few expert tips to get the best output from your herb grinder.

Be gentle: You don't have to exert much force when twisting a manual grinder. About a dozen steady turns should get you the perfect weed grind on a well-maintained grinder with sharp blades. It's also important not to overfill the grinder. You can always go back for a second round to avoid taxing the grinder.

Turn it upside down: If you want a super fine grind, remove the kief chamber, turn the grinder upside down, grind, and then put the kief chamber back in place after you grind. This technique prevents the buds from dropping into the bottom chamber, allowing for finer grinding and resulting in smoother ground weed.

Clean the grinder: As with other cannabis accessories, like water pipes and ash catchers, it's crucial to keep a grinder clean. A soft cloth and brush should do the trick, but avoid abrasive materials like scrubbing pads, which can damage an herb grinder. Use rubbing alcohol as a cleaning agent, rinse with warm water, and thoroughly dry. This basic maintenance can help your grinder last longer and allow you to enjoy a smooth cannabis experience every time.

References

Wikimedia and  Weedmaps