Herb Grinders

[Frederick McGuire]

I've read reports of the ISO coming out orange after cleaning them (possibly from out own uncle @Vitolo )

So I'd say light mechanical cleaning is your best bet for maintenance.

 

[Vitolo]

Does anyone have a preference of a 2pc vs a 3pc for grind quality?

2 piece all the way... NEVER 3 or 4 piece for my preferred grind quality!
BUT....
you will find as many different views here as the number of grinders on the market.
As it turns out grind consistency is subjective, and very personal!
There are some general grind textures that work better with different vapes... some vapes do better with fine and some do better with coarse ground herb.
Patients I know tend to prefer the type of grinder they started with!

I've read reports of the ISO coming out orange after cleaning them (possibly from out own uncle @Vitolo )

Not here, Frederick.
I use 91% Iso on all anodized, and colored grinders.
Never a bleeding of color.
It was another member that had posted that info.
Just do not use Iso on acrylic.

 

[Tom Funk]

I've read reports of the ISO coming out orange after cleaning them (possibly from out own uncle @Vitolo )

So I'd say light mechanical cleaning is your best bet for maintenance.

99.5% ISO ruined my volcano grinder. Didn't turn the ISO orange but made the acrylic cloudy and rough.

 

[mixchu69]

SCS. The shred is the new grind . . . The 3 piece is perfect for transferring to the Crafty/Mighty filling aid.

That is the perfect combo. The one thing I wanted from the s&b grinder and fill tool was seamless transition from the grinder to the tool. It looks like the SCS does that. I really like the Orange after seeing this picture (great picture BTW), but seems the SCS has ran out on their website.

Anybody have suggestions where I can pick up an orange 3 piece for $52 or less (that is the price on their website)?

 

[John Lewus]

I love the 3 piece SCS large the best. I grind up a bunch at once and immediately scope into a Jyarz to store. Whenever I use my Herbie I just tap it out of the Jyarz into the bowl. I have my process down so that it is fast, convenient, and my herb is never touched by fingers. Because the Jyarz are so compact and air tight they keep my ground bud fresh for weeks and possibly months. I probably get 20 sessions out of what is ground up in my Jyarz. It really makes things more convenient. Check out the Jyarz thread for more info. The owner Aldo chimes in there a lot and he does great support.

 

[Ricchini]

Hey T-Dub, does that 3 piece Santa Cruz work well for packing ELBS?

I'd imagine that new radius edge would allow you to use an ELB almost like a little scooper.

I do that anyways with the SCS 4 piece.

 

[grokit]

The lotus wpa also works well as a scs scooper, since mt introduced a handle for it

 

[t-dub]

Hey T-Dub, does that 3 piece Santa Cruz work well for packing ELBS?

The 3 piece is going to be for travel and using with the S&B products. For packing ELBs I use my EZLoader. Its an 18mm vapor hose adapter, some tubing, a mouthpiece and safety screen. The safety screen is necessary because if you inhale and forget to put in an ELB you get a straight shot of ground herb to the lungs which is no bueno . . . Anyways, just slide in your ELB and inhale to load meds. Easy peasy lemon squeezy . . .

 

[Ricchini]

Dude that's fucking genius! I always missed that part about owning a whip-style vape, the lung vacuum loading method. Excellent craftsmanship too, I might add.

T-dub I'm convinced we'd be like best friends if we were ever having a sesh. You are my archetype of toker..... various tools, implements, and you are able to successfully Macgyver all kinds' of apparatuses and rig up all kinds of assemblies using multiple different vape's parts and each of their different core competencies.

I think you have a lot of vaping experience, they should recruit you in the board room when designing the optimal vape. You and Oli should be in that room, and I'm sure there's plenty of others on FC that I'm not as familiar with.

 

[mixchu69]

Ok. I really wanted the Orange scs 3 piece after t-dub made me jealous but looks hard to find. I will use my space case 2 piece. Anybody have a small jar that has two functions 1) dumps easily onto the s&b filling station. 2) I can dump my space case grindings up without using my fingers. A lot of jars like jyarz are great but Cant fill without using hands or funnel device.

I am looking for something where hand contact is avoided. I just realize I waste so much herb when grinding and filling. Any help or suggestions? Thanks.

That is why I like the 3 piece SCS.

 

[MinnBobber]

Ok. I really wanted the Orange scs 3 piece after t-dub made me jealous but looks hard to find. I will use my space case 2 piece. Anybody have a small jar that has two functions 1) dumps easily onto the s&b filling station. 2) I can dump my space case grindings up without using my fingers. A lot of jars like jyarz are great but Cant fill without using hands or funnel device.

I am looking for something where hand contact is avoided. I just realize I waste so much herb when grinding and filling. Any help or suggestions? Thanks.

That is why I like the 3 piece SCS.

Have you seen the newer model jyarz Satchno? With it's biiger diameter you should be able to dump herb from it into the s&b filling tool and dump space case grindings into it.

Pics of their classic and satchmo with solo cup for size reference:
Also shows my SCS small 2.1" 3 piece grinder

 

[mixchu69]

Have you seen the newer model jyarz Satchno? With it's biiger diameter you should be able to dump herb from it into the s&b filling tool and dump space case grindings into it.

Pics of their classic and satchmo with solo cup for size reference:
Also shows my SCS small 2.1" 3 piece grinder

Thanks. Exactly what I need. Appreciate the heads up

 

[tennstrong]

I have owned a Large 2pc Space Case for about 4 years now and it's flawless. A few months back it started getting stuck, but I cleaned it out a bit with my dabber and it was grinding like new! I really liked it because it is titanium, and doesn't seem like it will break at all.

I have been interested in the Santa Cruz Shredder for awhile now, after reading about how amazing it was on here. Ever since getting my Herbalizer I have been thinking about getting a new grinder, since I have found that the Herbie is very finickle when it comes to grind quality. Some people say that the more ground the better, but it seems more gets stuck to the top screen which I am trying to avoid.

From what I see the SCS makes bud fluffy and seems like it might improve my vapor quality with the Herbie. I do have a few questions that I hope people can answer.


1. Does anyone have a preference of a 2pc vs a 3pc for grind quality?

I've been looking up a lot of reviews on the SCS, and it seems some people have mentioned about the different grinders producing different bud consistencies? It seemed this was mentioned for the 2pc vs the 3/4pc (since they have holes that the bud falls in). Some people seemed to say that the 4pc (and I would assume the 3pc as well) would give a nice grind and the fluffy bud would fall to the bottom, while the 2pc might grind too much or something like that. I'm curious what people here have to say.

As for the grinder itself, I don't need a kief catcher, and the bud holder seems nice, but I really have always preferred 2 pcs. I also really like the larger grinders, so the 3pc small I'm not so sure about... Plus it's almost double the price.



2. Is there anything to worry about with the SCS at all? It seems that everyone loves theirs and they do a lot of high tech processes to make sure the grinder is great, but I have read about wear and tear on some people's grinders, so that concerns me. I also have always been wary of the aluminum grinders, or lower quality grinders. The Space case is amazingly built since it's titanium, even if I did break of flakes I shouldn't have to worry (depending on the grade level, but in general safer than aluminum). Is there any worry of flakes or anything getting in the bud?

3. Is it even worth getting another grinder since I love my 2 pc Space Case? I saw a poll where it showed SC vs SCS and the overwheling majority picked SCS. I just want to make sure it's worth getting, and if anyone has a Herbie would you say it helps with vapor production and all that good stuff with using the herbie?


Any other advice or comments is appreciated!!! Thanks!

You sound like the situation I was in, I moved from a 3 pc grinder (sharpstone I believe though) to my SCS 2 piece and IMO it's going to be a completely different grind(if you look at the teeth they are squared vs sharp, so it will be a tougher grind physically, but get your bud more fine ime). It does make it more fluffy in my experience and honestly I prefer having the extra kief used constantly that would normally be lost in my grind. I find I use kief with a 3 pc very sparingly and then all at once, somewhat wasting it.

 

[EverythingsHazy]

Thanks for the heads up on ISO and acrylic. Would be a shame to ruin the grinder since it works so well. Perhaps it'll get tossed into an ultrasonic cleaner for a few minutes with warm water. Should get everything loose enough to brush/rinse off.

 

[Vitolo]

Some acrylic grinders respond well to dry brushing.

 

[MinnBobber]

Some acrylic grinders respond well to dry brushing.

X2.
And I found that putting it in freezer first can make it easier to brush off the sticky goodness.

 

[treeman]

On the topic of the Storz & bickel grinders, I would like to say that IMO, they are totally waaay better than any metal grinder I've ever owned (had a few 4 piece & a 2 piece space case in my time). The acryllic ones are the exact same as the Sharktooth No. 1 Grinder (Don't be fooled by imitations). And they are all we use in the UK, you can get them from corner shops for 2 pounds and they get that grind how you want it.
I always feel that using metal grinders I get less out of my weed so I feel like they cost me money. Seriously, don't dismiss the sharktooth for being plastic they are fucking rocking!

Coffee grinders are also good but I hate space case/mendo mulcher. I've never used an SCS but they seem the same.
Acryllic number 1 grinders are where its at IMO.

 

[tennstrong]

On the topic of the Storz & bickel grinders, I would like to say that IMO, they are totally waaay better than any metal grinder I've ever owned (had a few 4 piece & a 2 piece space case in my time). The acryllic ones are the exact same as the Sharktooth No. 1 Grinder (Don't be fooled by imitations). And they are all we use in the UK, you can get them from corner shops for 2 pounds and they get that grind how you want it.
I always feel that using metal grinders I get less out of my weed so I feel like they cost me money. Seriously, don't dismiss the sharktooth for being plastic they are fucking rocking!

Coffee grinders are also good but I hate space case/mendo mulcher. I've never used an SCS but they seem the same.
Acryllic number 1 grinders are where its at IMO.

Acryllic grinders may work for a month or so, but when you get the same twist-crack on some wetter bud you'll regret not just ponying up for a lifelong purchase. I can completely clean my SCS and it twists/works beautifully (I can't speak for the quality of the s/b grinder but only for general acrylic which i've used many [regretfully]). With acrylic you may find your bud harder to get out IME and lose a lot in the process of fiddling around with it. I got my one and only acrylic grinder I (used to) own from a friend for free, then had it break on 420 on my first twist with some wet bud- didn't want to bring out my heavier grinder- which should be noted, my SCS is heavy and really weighty despite only being a 2pc, but the weight seems to help sometimes as you are able to get a better grip and grind with it as a result. I'd say if you need portability stay to a 3pc but if quality/function is what you're after the 2pc SCS won't be a disappointment.

Edit to remove repeat:

X2.
And I found that putting it in freezer first can make it easier to brush off the sticky goodness.

If anyone is wondering the reason it's the same reason people freeze their bud before runs or as the new kids are doing it flash freezing their bud as soon as it's harvested (calling it herb resin after they BHO run it). Allows trichs to fall off easier and as a result will net you more finished product/scraps. This is very handy w/ a 2 pc grinder as some kief will accumulate naturally on the teeth and can be scraped w/ a toothpick.

 

[treeman]

Idk man, here we get sold wet bud a lot, as growers are scumbags who like charging lots of money for water, whenever I use a metal grinder to grind wet bud it kinda compresses it into these little balls and I lose most of the volume whereas the sharktooth fluffs it up and I get a good few more bowls to vape out of a bag. . .
Granted the walls build up a sticky layer but it takes ages and I think its definitely worth it for the increased surface area I get versus metal grinders.
Was it definitely a sharktooth grinder you used?

 

[tennstrong]

Idk man, here we get sold wet bud a lot, as growers are scumbags who like charging lots of money for water, whenever I use a metal grinder to grind wet bud it kinda compresses it into these little balls and I lose most of the volume whereas the sharktooth fluffs it up and I get a good few more bowls to vape out of a bag. . .
Granted the walls build up a sticky layer but it takes ages and I think its definitely worth it for the increased surface area I get versus metal grinders.
Was it definitely a sharktooth grinder you used?

No, it can be assumed that it was a generic acrylic grinder.
I don't doubt the quality of the sharktooth/s&b above other acrylic but you deal with the same problems of having acrylic. With the strength I put into that twist I highly doubt any acrylic would stand up to it; it broke a couple teeth on the first twist as I joked to my friends about why you don't buy acrylic. We are pretty much comparing apples to oranges here though. IME I get fluffy bud regularly through my SCS and thought it quite normal. I also think I could hurl it across the street and it would still work. It's also something like 3 or so times the cost of the s&b. I don't buy waterey bud where I'm at generally so I don't run into that problem. The person asking seems to want a better grind for vaping and personally I would stick with my SCS over anything if given the opportunity. Really the acrylic will give a similar grind to the spacecase he currently has, while the teeth/grind of the SCS ime is different due to the squared teeth (that couldn't stand up in an acrylic form without constantly breaking). If you need a finer grind I'd look to possibly the mflb finishing grinder, but if you're looking to outright replace yours I'd go the route of the SCS. (and a riot storage box if you really want a kief catch, these things are awesome although I don't personally own one)

 

[Traaaaan]

3. Is it even worth getting another grinder since I love my 2 pc Space Case? I saw a poll where it showed SC vs SCS and the overwheling majority picked SCS. I just want to make sure it's worth getting, and if anyone has a Herbie would you say it helps with vapor production and all that good stuff with using the herbie?


Any other advice or comments is appreciated!!! Thanks!

I started with a cheap 4 piece. It worked well and collected kief, but never enough for me to make hash. The screen eventually started to clog and no cleaning would remedy.

I then moved to a small 2 piece cosmic grinder. It makes the bud very, very fine. Almost mflb finishing grinder fine. I like to keep it in my pocket for when I go hiking. I keep a little index card to use as a shovel to dump my herb in and transport into my vape. When at home and I grind in the 2 piece and then dump it into my 4 piece to hold.

I then got a small 4 piece cosmic grinder. I liked it a lot, it gave the same grind as my two piece but had the holding chamber. I decided to gift it to a friend.

I have now recently purchased a small 3 piece scs. I don't save my kief so think the 3 piece would prefect to vape it all.

 

[tennstrong]

I started with a cheap 4 piece. It worked well and collected kief, but never enough for me to make hash. The screen eventually started to clog and no cleaning would remedy.

I then moved to a small 2 piece cosmic grinder. It makes the bud very, very fine. Almost mflb finishing grinder fine. I like to keep it in my pocket for when I go hiking. I keep a little index card to use as a shovel to dump my herb in and transport into my vape. When at home and I grind in the 2 piece and then dump it into my 4 piece to hold.

I then got a small 4 piece cosmic grinder. I liked it a lot, it gave the same grind as my two piece but had the holding chamber. I decided to gift it to a friend.

I have now recently purchased a small 3 piece scs. I don't save my kief so think the 3 piece would prefect to vape it all.

Yea this is good advice, keeps most of the benefits of the 2pc SCS and you can always grind upside down (I do this a lot with 3pc/4pc) for a finer grind. I also find most people either stockpile their kief indefinitely or waste it when they are dry, so having it in each bowl is nice. TBH I didn't even know they made a 3pc but it seems to be exactly what you're looking for. Always can get a super fine grind using the method I said above if the holes are too big.

 

[Traaaaan]

I do grind upside down. It's one of the tips I give to everyone who tells me their grinders aren't doing a good job. Doesn't matter on the maker of the grinder, I've just gotten into the habit of it.

I don't have the 3 piece yet but should next week. I chose it over the 4 piece so that I don't have to scoop out kief and fiddle with a screen that I don't need. I will use my kief each time.

 

[°k]

I'm still thinking the Cali Crusher Homegrown would be a good option and I also believe that the 4 pieces can be turned into a 3 pieces if you remove the screen section, plus they now have a pocket version so that should give an alternative to the 3 pieces SCS.
The problem is to get it in UK I'd have to import it damnit and the shipping fee is just almost as high as the grinder price so please guys don't make me bite the bullet, someone from the US give it a try!

 

[snackmaster]

I'm still thinking the Cali Crusher Homegrown would be a good option and I also believe that the 4 pieces can be turned into a 3 pieces if you remove the screen section, plus they now have a pocket version so that should give an alternative to the 3 pieces SCS.
The problem is to get it in UK I'd have to import it damnit and the shipping fee is just almost as high as the grinder price so please guys don't make me bite the bullet, someone from the US give it a try!

I'd stick with their 2-piece offerings. I very briefly had a 4-piece pocket and it didn't seem to hold material particularly well - as in a lot of bud/kief made its way into the threads during use. This was while using it as a 3-pc.