How to Grind Cannabis Without a Grinder: Easiest & Fastest Ways

Smoking unground cannabis simply doesn’t work, and whole buds won’t cut it when you’re whipping up a batch of cannabutter. If you do not have a grinder, you’ll need to figure out how to grind weed without a grinder. I asked my team of cannabis connoisseur editors to compile the top DIY techniques on how to grind weed without a grinder on Quora and Reddit so you can stop Googling and start enjoying your herb. 

How to Grind Cannabis Without a Grinder

The simplest way to grind your weed without a grinder is ripping it apart with your hands or cutting it with scissors, but these techniques can be messy and leave you with sticky fingers. Thankfully, there are some clever alternatives.

• Mortar and Pestle: A traditional way to grind any herb.
• Scissors and Shot Glass: Try this one at home.
• Knife and Cutting Board: Yields better results than scissors.
• Pill Bottle and Coin: A trick every flower consumer should know.
• Coffee Grinder: Grind weed quickly and effectively. 
• Cheese Grater: Add “weed grater” to your list of options.
• Hand Method: The fastest way to prep bud for a bowl. Proceed with care.

How to Grind Weed Without a Grinder DIYs

Grinders are the gold standard for crushing weed because they get the job done without requiring you to overhandle the flower, which can harm the plant’s trichomes. Trichomes contain a significant portion of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes. 

No grinder? Practice these alternative methods for grinding weed.

Hand Method

Although it may not be the best for your weed, breaking it apart with your fingers is sometimes the only option when you find yourself without a grinder. If you must use the hand method, use clean hands and work quickly to minimize trichome damage. 

Breaking down weed by hand is the fastest way to grind weed without a grinder. It’s also the most minimal, requiring only your hands and a surface to work on such as a cutting board or rolling tray. Simply pinch off small pieces and collect them in a pile.

However, this method should be a last resort because touching (or as one Quora user called it, “manhandling”) weed can cause degeneration and damage the trichomes. 

Knife and Cutting Board

At first, I was surprised to see so many recommendations for using a knife and cutting board to break down nugs. (Some people even prefer this technique to using a weed grinder.) But on second thought, it makes sense! Weed is a vegetable, after all. And who doesn’t have a knife and cutting board in their kitchen? 

• A sharp, non-serrated knife such as a chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board are recommended for chopping weed. 
• Work the knife over your buds until you achieve the desired grind. 
• Expect to deal with some stickiness and be prepared to scrub the resin off of your knife and cutting board. 

Don’t forget to be cautious with your fingers as you chop!

Grind Weed with Scissors and Shot Glass

The scissors and shot glass trick is the best way to grind weed without a grinder according to the Quora cannabis community. It’s easy to see why: all you need is a scissors and shot glass which isn’t totally necessary but keeps the mess contained.  You can also work on a sheet of paper or foil.

• Wash your scissors and shot glass. 
• Hold the bud over the glass and snip off small pieces. 
• Cut until you have a uniform glass of ground flower.

If there is not enough stem to hold onto, place the bud in the glass before cutting.

Put Weed in a Coffee Grinder

Using a coffee grinder to grind weed is more than just a hack — it’s the preferred way to grind for many cannabis consumers. You don’t need a fancy coffee grinder, either — though a high-end Burr or similar grinder will certainly do the trick! 

The one downside to using a coffee grinder is that working with small amounts of weed can make it tricky to get an even grind. But if you have enough flower, you’ll be rewarded with a fluffy heap and a collection of kief. 

Clean Your Coffee Grinder

Be sure to clean out your coffee grinder before (and after) using it for cannabis, or get a designated electric grinder for your weed. According to The Kitchn, the most effective way to clean your coffee grinder is to put a 1/4 cup of rice in your blade grinder. Grind for about a minute, or until the rice is pulverized, then remove the rice flour and wipe the inside clean with a paper towel. 

A Pill Bottle with a Coin

Did you know that you can grind weed with a pill bottle and a coin? I didn’t, but I’m glad to know and share this popular trick now! 

To make a pill bottle and coin cannabis grinder: 

1. Place a clean coin and your weed into a pill bottle canister. 
2. Close it, and give it a good shake. 
3. Open the bottle. 

According to those who suggest this method, you’ll need to shake the container for anywhere from 1-3 minutes. This time may be longer if your weed isn’t dry enough, so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t seeing results right away. You should see a product identical to what you get when using a weed grinder. The canister will also collect any kief that falls off.

If you want to try the pill bottle and coin method but don’t have a pill bottle, you can also use a film canister or any similar small container. 

Cheese Grater Hack

Weed graters have started to hit the market, but you don’t need a grater designed specifically for cannabis. A sharp cheese grater will do the trick. 

Opt for the section or grater with the smallest blades for best results. Start with a larger bud and carefully grate the weed into a pile. Watch the bud and your fingers — the flower can crumble and put your fingertips in harm’s way. 

If you don’t have a cheese grater try this old-school process suggested by Mike Nolan on Quora: 

“Back in the day, we used to use a tea strainer. First, remove any seeds or twigs. Then put a piece of paper or something under it to catch the powder. Could then scrape hash into a powder onto the powdered weed. Put that in an old medicine bottle and shake it up. Roll that or put it in the pipe.” 

Can You Grind Weed with a Credit Card?

Yes, you technically can grind weed with a credit card, although it’s not the most effective method. Here's how you can do it:

• Clean the Credit Card: Make sure your credit card is clean to avoid contamination.
• Break Down the Buds: Use the edge of the card to break down the buds into smaller pieces.
• Scrape and Collect: Scrape the pieces into a pile, then use the card to further chop and grind the weed.

While this method works in a pinch, it’s not ideal as it can be difficult to achieve a uniform grind and it can be messy.

Common Grinder Questions

Is hand grind better than grinder weed?

A weed grinder is ideal for grinding weed for a few reasons. First, you don’t have to touch the weed, which preserves the integrity of the flower. A grinder will produce consistent results, and you can break up larger batches and leave them in the grinder for when you need them. Grinders also capture kief and some even have separate kief compartments. 

That said, there are some ingenious ways to grind weed withgrinderout a  such as using scissors, a coin and a pill bottle, or a coffee grinder.

Do you have to grind weed for PAX or other dry herb vapes?

Yes, you should grind your weed to a fine consistency before loading it into a dry herb vaporizer such as the PAX or the trending new AUXO Calent. Ground weed results in stronger, smoother hits.

What grind consistency is best for weed?

The best grind consistency for weed largely depends on the method of consumption. For joints, blunts, and pipes, a medium grind is ideal. Bongs perform better with a coarse grind, while vaporizers typically call for a fine-medium grind. 

How important is a weed grinder?

A weed grinder is an essential accessory for those who consume cannabis flower because it makes getting a quality grind easy while protecting the plant. Grinders can also double as storage and travel containers. 

Overall, while not absolutely necessary, a weed grinder significantly enhances the quality and convenience of your cannabis experience.

What happens if I grind my weed too much?

Over-ground weed can be tricky to work with and results in harsher hits and lower potency, but if you do grind your weed too much, it’s not the end of the world. You can always use it to make canna oil, sprinkle it over your edibles, or mix small amounts into your joints and bowls.