How to Clean a Weed Grinder (Plus Metal and Plastic Pipes)

How do you clean a weed grinder?

To clean a weed grinder, pop it in the freezer for a bit so the resin hardens, then scrape the teeth and corners with a toothpick or an old toothbrush; for a deep clean, take a metal grinder apart and soak it in alcohol. Treat it right and a decent grinder will last you for years. Load it with clean buds, no stems or twigs, so the teeth stay sharp.

Your grinder's worst enemy is resin. That sticky stuff gums up the works and makes the pieces turn less smoothly. Grinders with multiple chambers help, but they don't stop resin from building up on the teeth and walls.

For everyday cleaning, your best bet is a pointy object to scrape out the corners where resin collects. An old toothbrush works too. Pro tip: stick the grinder in the freezer for a while first. The resin hardens and comes off a lot easier.

Metal grinders clean up great with alcohol. First take the grinder apart, then drop the pieces in a glass of ethyl alcohol to soften the resin and sanitize everything at the same time. Don't do this with wooden or plastic grinders, since the alcohol can damage them. To clean the screen, though, you can soak a cotton swab in alcohol and dab the resiny spots to loosen the gunk, without dunking the whole grinder. And if all else fails, you can always go old school and break up your weed by hand. 

How do you get resin out of a grinder?

There are several ways to get resin out of a weed grinder that actually work. Here are a few options:

1. Take it apart and clean it: Carefully take the grinder apart so you can get at every piece. Use a soft-bristle brush to clear resin off the teeth and the inside surfaces. Then soak the pieces in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes to dissolve the remaining resin. Rinse and dry every part thoroughly before putting the grinder back together.

2. Freeze it: Put the grinder in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for about an hour. The resin turns brittle and comes off much more easily. Then use a toothbrush or a similar tool to gently clear it away.

3. Use a cleaning solution: There are cleaning products made specifically for removing resin from weed grinders. They're designed to dissolve the resin and get it off effectively. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and rinse and dry the grinder well afterward.

Keeping your grinder clean does more than get rid of built-up resin: it also makes it work better and last longer.

How do you clean a metal pipe?

To clean a metal pipe, start by taking it apart into all its pieces, if it comes apart. That way you can get at each part individually for a more thorough clean. Then soak the pieces in isopropyl alcohol, making sure everything is fully submerged, for at least 30 minutes. Isopropyl alcohol is a solid solvent for dissolving resin and lifting built-up grime. After the soak, scrub off whatever's left with a soft-bristle brush or a cotton swab. Rinse every piece well with warm water to get rid of any alcohol residue. Once everything is clean, let it dry completely before putting the pipe back together. A clean metal pipe doesn't just look better: it also smokes better and lasts longer.

How do you clean a plastic pipe? 

To clean a plastic pipe, follow these steps:

1. Take the pipe apart: If you can, break the pipe down into all its parts. That makes it easier to clean each piece on its own.

2. Wash with hot water and mild soap: Rinse the pipe with hot water to get rid of loose residue. Then add a mild soap or liquid dish detergent and gently scrub every surface with a soft toothbrush or a pipe cleaner. Make sure you hit every spot, like the bowl and the stem.

3. Rinse well: After scrubbing, rinse the pipe thoroughly with hot water to wash off all the soap. Make sure no soap is left behind, since it can mess with the flavor the next time you use it.

4. Use isopropyl alcohol (optional): If the plastic pipe has stubborn stains or residue, you can soak it in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes. Keep it short, since some plastics don't love alcohol. Then gently brush the problem spots with a soft toothbrush or a pipe cleaner, and rinse again with hot water to wash off any alcohol.

5. Let it dry completely: Once the pipe is clean, let it dry all the way before putting it back together or using it. Leave it somewhere with good airflow and make sure it's bone-dry before you put it away.

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