You can grind weed without a grinder using things you already have: scissors in a shot glass, a kitchen knife on a cutting board, a coffee or spice grinder, or simply your fingers. Each one works, with a little more effort or mess than a proper grinder. At Saint John Bud Express we hear from plenty of people in Saint John whose grinder went missing at the worst moment, so here are the best workarounds.
Why grind weed at all?
Even burning. Evenly broken-up flower burns smoothly in a joint or bowl instead of canoeing or going out.
Better airflow. A medium grind lets air move through, so draws are easier.
Better rolling. It is very hard to roll a neat joint with chunky buds. See our guide on how to roll a joint.
Even vaping. Dry herb vaporizers heat more evenly with ground flower.
What can you use instead of a grinder?
Scissors and a shot glass
The best all-rounder. Drop a bud into a shot glass or small cup and snip it repeatedly with clean scissors, pointing down into the glass. The glass catches everything, and you can keep going until it is as fine as you want.
Tip: A dry bud cuts more easily. Wipe the scissors afterwards, as the resin gets sticky.
A kitchen knife and cutting board
Good for bigger amounts. Break buds into small pieces, then chop with a sharp knife the way you would mince herbs. Rock the blade back and forth.
Tip: Use a board you can clean properly, and gather the flower with the flat of the blade so you don't lose any.
A coffee or spice grinder
Fast but easy to overdo. Use short pulses of a second or two and check often. Holding the button down turns weed into dust, which is harsh in joints and clogs bowls.
Tip: Clean it thoroughly afterwards, or keep one just for this. Nobody wants herb-flavoured coffee.
Your fingers
Always available. Pull buds apart into small pieces with your fingertips. It works best for a single bowl or joint.
Tip: Your fingers will get sticky and some resin will stay on them. That is normal.
A pill crusher or mortar and pestle
Works with care. A gentle press breaks buds up. Go lightly: grinding hard can mash sticky flower into a clump.
A cheese grater
Only for dry buds. Run a dry bud over the fine side of a grater. Sticky flower gums up the holes, so this is more of a last resort.
What shouldn't you use?
- Blenders. They turn weed into powder and are hard to clean.
- Anything you can't wash. Resin sticks, and you won't want it on your favourite kitchen tools.
- Damp or dirty surfaces. Moisture and dust ruin flower.
Which method should you pick?
- For one joint: fingers or scissors in a glass.
- For a few joints: knife and board.
- For a bigger batch: a coffee grinder with short pulses.
Should you just get a grinder?
If you smoke regularly, yes. A simple grinder is quicker, keeps your hands clean and gives a consistent grind every time. Many have a bottom chamber that collects kief, the fine crystals that fall off the buds. Our piece on kief vs hash explains what you can do with it.
Keep your flower in good shape too: dry, crumbly weed grinds to dust, while fresh, properly stored flower breaks up nicely. Our guide on how to store weed has the details.
The Bottom Line
Scissors in a shot glass is the easiest grinder substitute for most people, with a knife and board close behind. If you grind often, a real grinder is worth it. Find grinders and other gear in our accessories category, and order through our Saint John weed delivery service with delivery in 1 to 3 hours.
