How to Maintain a Metal Herb Grinder

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Things You'll Need

  • Airtight glass container (e.g., mason jar)

  • Isopropyl alcohol, 90% or higher

  • Scraping tool (e.g., guitar pick)

  • Q-tips

  • Toothbrush

Herb grinders serve to break up herbs or tobacco into fine, small pieces. Herb grinders are especially useful if you dry your own herbs, make herbal tinctures or roll your own cigarettes or cigars. With continued use, your grinder will accumulate material that may cause your grinder to function less efficiently. Maintaining your grinder is essential to maximize durability and ensure optimal functioning. Cleaning out your grinder with rubbing alcohol when it becomes dirty is imperative to maintenance.

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Step 1

Disassemble your grinder and remove any leftover herb particles by scraping your grinder with a guitar pick or similar tool.

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Step 2

Fill an airtight glass container with isopropyl alcohol, 90% or higher.

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Step 3

Place the grinder's components in the alcohol-filled airtight glass container and close the lid.

Step 4

Let the grinder's parts soak in the alcohol for ten minutes to thoroughly clean it out. Gently shake the container to loosen any herb matter that may have become stuck on the grinder.

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Step 5

Remove the grinder from the alcohol-filled airtight glass container and scrub away any stubborn herb material with a q-tip dipped in the alcohol you used to soak the grinder. If your herb grinder has a pollen-collecting metal mesh screen, gently scrub the screen clean of herb matter with a tooth brush.

Step 6

Rinse your grinder with water and let it sit to dry. Once dried, reassemble your herb grinder.

Tip

If desired, add Epsom or table salt to the isopropyl alcohol. The salt will act as an agitator and will help remove any herb material that will not easily come off with alcohol alone. You should clean your grinder in this manner as soon as you purchase it, before your first use, to ensure it is clean and sanitary.

Warning

If your grinder has one or more pollen-collecting screens, use caution when scrubbing the metal mesh screen(s) so as to prevent damage to the grinder.

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