It’s a stoner’s nightmare – you’re getting ready to smoke some bud, only to find that you’ve misplaced your grinder.
You can’t fit unground weed in a paper or blunt wrap, and trying to pack a bowl with unground bud will stop it from burning evenly and effectively. So what can you do if you don’t have a grinder? Luckily, hope is not lost.

If you want to have a smoking session but don’t have a grinder handy, don’t worry – this guide has got you covered.
Here, we’ve compiled 7 of the best ways to grind your bud without having a grinder at your disposal, so you can get your smoke on, hassle-free. So let’s stop wasting time and get right to it!
How To Grind Weed Without A Grinder: 7 Easy Methods
1) Blend It Up
This method is as simple as it sounds. If you want to grind up your weed without a grinder, simply pop it in a blender and put it on a high setting.
This works best with large amounts of bud, as smaller pieces can just fly around the blender without being chopped up. Smaller blenders are better for the same reason, as there is less room for the bud to hide in.
Be careful when removing the ground weed from the blender to avoid cutting yourself on the sharp blades. You’ll also need to take extra care when cleaning it too, as the resin can be hard to remove.
2) Put It Through A Coffee Grinder
This is a similar method to using a blender, but it is far more effective at getting a fine grind for your weed.
Using an electric coffee grinder might be the faster option, but personally, I find that a manual grinder gives you the best results if you’re willing to put a bit of extra work in.
Tear the bud into smaller pieces with your hands before putting it into the grinder to make it easier to grind.
You can put it in like you would a regular grinder – in fact, a manual coffee grinder isn’t too different from some types of weed grinder that have a crank-like design.
Just make sure to clean your coffee grinder thoroughly before (and after) you use it!
3) The Pill Bottle And Coin Method
One of the most iconic grinder-less ways to grind up your bud, the pill bottle and coin method has been used for decades. It’s incredibly simple, and all you need is a pill bottle and a small coin.
If you don’t have a pill bottle, any small plastic bottle will do – just make sure there’s enough room for the coin to rattle around with a bit of space to spare.
Pop your bud into the pill bottle with a small coin like a penny, and seal the cap on tightly. Now, shake it as hard as you can. It might take a few minutes to do this, and you might need to switch arms if you get tired.
As it shakes around inside the bottle, the coin will break up your weed into small pieces. These won’t be as finely ground as other methods, but it’s perfect for packing a bowl. And hey, you also get a free workout!
4) Use A Cheese Grater
Another technique that’s as simple as it sounds, a cheese grater is actually a great way to grind up your bud. Simply grate the weed along the crater to break it down into smaller pieces.
This works best on larger chunks, and with harder, drier strains (soft strains won’t grate as easily, and resin-heavy ones will just clump together).
Using a cheese grater also comes with several added perks. Depending on which face you use, you can vary the size of the resulting pieces.
If you want a finer grind for a joint or blunt, use the smaller holes; meanwhile, you can get the perfect bowl-sized pieces with slightly bigger holes.
You’ll have to be careful not to grate your fingers, however, so maybe avoid this one if you’ve been smoking already.
5) The Scissors And Shot Glass Method
It might be less conventional than other tricks on this list, but it’s just as effective (if not more)! All you need to do for this method is pop your bud into a shot glass or other small cup, and chop away with some scissors.
The width of the glass keeps the scissors contained and in line, while stopping the weed from escaping out of their grasp.
This lets you cut up the weed to whatever size you want without having to worry about it flying out of the glass.
Scissors and glass are also easier to clean than a cheese grater, blender, or coffee grinder, so there’s a lot less to worry about when it comes to cleaning up afterward.
6) Chop It With A Knife
This is essentially the same method, but with a more precise medium that gives you much more control. All you need to do is take your weed and put it on a chopping board, then go at it with a knife.
Treat the bud like you’re dicing a clove of garlic – crush it with the flat of the blade, then finely chop it until you get the desired size.
A knife is even easier to clean up than scissors, and you can simply wipe away any residue left on the blade. Again, this method can be dangerous so make sure you’re sober if you’re thinking about using it!
7) Use A Mortar And Pestle
The mortar and pestle is a handy kitchen tool typically used for grinding up herbs, spices, and other ingredients for cooking.
However, it’s also great for grinding up other types of herb too. This is easier if you break up the bud first, just to give the mortar a head start.
Crush the bud to start off with, which will break it into smaller parts as well as give the mortar a better grip to start grinding it up.
From there, alternate between twisting the mortar into the pestle, and grinding it in circular motions around the side of the pestle. You’ll end up with finely ground weed ready to use.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – 7 simple and easy ways to grind weed without a grinder, using some basic tools you’ll probably have around your house already! All of these methods are quick and effective, helping you get to your smoke hassle-free.
Whether you’re rolling a joint or packing a bowl, if you’re stuck without a grinder, don’t worry – just use these easy tips, and you’ll be back on track in no time. Enjoy!
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