How to boil your grinder to clean it and get high at the same time

Did you know that you can hear a buzzing noise when cleaning your grinder? Here’s how.

A good grinder is an indispensable accessory. It can save you time compared to grinding your stash by hand. Also, it can give you a better smoking experience as grinding improves both the flavor and potency of your weed. But over time, buildup of kief and weed bits can get stuck in the holes and other parts of your grinder, making it less effective.

If your grinder is difficult to turn or you notice less kief has accumulated at the bottom of the grinder, it’s time for a thorough cleaning.

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Cooking has become a popular way to clean a weed grinder – and get high at the same time. (That sounds like a win-win to us!) We’ll walk you through the process of boiling your grinder in milk and water and how to get the best results.

Can you boil your grinder to clean it?

(Julia Sumpter/Leafly)

There are several ways to clean a grinder. One method is to soak the parts in isopropyl alcohol to loosen plant matter and scrub off the remaining material with a toothbrush. There’s nothing wrong with this method, but boiling your grinder works just as well and offers benefits that cleaning with alcohol doesn’t.

Before deciding to boil your grinder in milk or water, it is important to know that cleaning this way should only be done with a metal grinder. Plastic or painted grinders can release toxins into the liquid during cooking.

Boil a grinder in milk

(Sheet)

While it may sound a bit strange, boiling a grinder in milk is a pretty effective weed hack. The results? You get a clean grinder, no wasted kief, and THC-infused milk—perfect for a cup of hot chocolate (more on that later).

Here’s the science behind it: milk contains fat that will dissolve and absorb the THC that’s on the grinder’s surface. The simmering milk will loosen any stuck plants in the submerged grinder and make it easier to scrape out.

How to cook your grinder in milk

First, gather your materials: a dirty grinder, a water bath for cooking, a colander, and milk. Because of the higher fat content, whole milk is best. If you’re vegan, reach for your favorite milk (cashew, oat, coconut, or almond milk), but opt ​​for higher-fat versions rather than reduced-fat ones.

Not sure how to use a water bath? It’s simply a large pot partially filled with water and a smaller pot placed inside the larger pot where you put the milk. The water in the large pot creates steam that heats the milk while reducing the risk of scalding.

Now you can get started:

1. Fill the bottom of the water bath halfway with water
2. Pour the milk into the top pot – about half full
3. Disassemble your grinder and dip it in the milk
4. Turn the burner to medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil (the milk will start to boil). Reduce the heat so the water continues to steam and the milk simmers. You don’t want the milk to keep boiling and scalding.
5. Gently heat the milk for about an hour.
6. Turn off the heat and let the milk cool.
7. Take out the grinder parts and wash them with soap and warm water.
8. Strain the milk enriched with THC.

Dead easy!

(Iuliia Kanivets, CSA-Printstock/iStock)

Does boiling your grinder in milk get you high?

Having a sparkling clean grinder is cool, but that’s not why we’re here, is it? So let’s answer this question. Drinking THC-infused milk is unlikely to get you super stoned as the amount of THC is fairly low. A lot depends on how much kief has built up in your grinder. Adding the leftover milk to your coffee or favorite beverage might tear you up a bit.

Is boiling your grinder in milk safe?

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t try this method with a plastic grinder or a painted grinder. During the cooking process, toxins can escape and contaminate the milk. Nobody wants to drink a tall glass of plastic.

You should also be sure that the outside of the metal grinder is clean so you don’t introduce dirt or other nasty non-weed materials into the milk.

If you follow these precautions, the milk left after boiling and straining should be safe to consume.

Can you cook your grinder in almond milk or other milk alternatives?

(istock:bhofack2)

If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant (or just don’t like the taste of milk), you have options. Almond milk can be substituted in cooking. Make sure you choose a high-fat dairy product (3 grams per serving) to allow for as much THC absorption as possible. You can also use this recipe to make your own cannabis almond milk.

How to use your cannabis-infused milk

Picture this: It’s a cold night, you’re wrapped up in your favorite sweatshirts and ready to watch your latest streaming favorite from the couch. To help you enjoy your THC-infused milk, we have a hot chocolate recipe that you might want to try. Simply replace two cups of your infused milk with whole milk.

If tea is more your thing, try making cannabis-infused tea and add a dash of your THC-infused milk for a little extra kick.

Boil a grinder in water

The stainless steel Herb Ripper Grinder, made in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Julia Sumpter/Leafly)

Cooking your grinder in water works a little differently than cooking it in milk, but the good news is that it’s super easy. This cleaning method works particularly well for plastic or painted grinders that are not suitable for cooking in milk or cleaning with alcohol.

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In a nutshell: The best weed grinders for bowls and blunts

Can you boil your grinder in water and drink it?

Because THC isn’t water soluble, your water probably won’t be infused with cannabis unless you add some fat—like coconut oil or butter—to the water. Once filtered, this water can then be used to prepare infused tea. But you have to take an extra cleaning step and use soap and water to get the grease out of your grinder.

How to clean your grinder with boiling water

If you can boil water, you can clean your grinder.

Let’s go through the steps:

1. Disassemble your grinder by taking the chambers apart.
2. Gently tap all grinder parts against a paper towel on a hard surface to loosen and remove plant matter.
3. This is optional, but if your grinder has stubborn, crusted plant matter, you can add this step: Place your grinder in the freezer for an hour. Freezing creates loose clumps that are easier to remove.
4. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
5. Add the grinder and soak in the boiling water for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the grinder, let it cool for a few minutes, then scrub with a clean toothbrush to remove any residue.
7. Rinse your grinder thoroughly with lukewarm water and set the parts on a paper towel to dry.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do: Don’t use hard-bristled brushes or abrasive cleaners. Also, avoid cleaning products like bleach or anything that contains chlorine. These chemicals are harmful to your smoking experience.

Keeping your grinder clean and free of gunk is simply good weed care. It can not only improve your smoking experience but also reduce waste.

Are you looking for a new grinder or are you thinking of trying one? Check out our selection of quality grinders.

Amelia Williams

New York-based freelance cannabis journalist Amelia Williams is a graduate of San Francisco State University’s journalism program and a former budtender. Williams has contributed to GreenState, MG Magazine, Culture Magazine and Cannabis Now, Kirkus Reviews and The Bold Italic of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Check out Amelia Williams’ articles

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