Grinders are a well-known staple tool for cannabis users. If you smoke bud, you need to break up the pot before you can enjoy it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re smoking it, cooking with it, or making your own shatter. The bud MUST be ground up before you can use it. Otherwise, that potent weed from your favorite Denver dispensary won’t be as wonderful as you thought. But what happens if you don’t have a grinder on hand? Here are a few simple alternatives you can use that won’t cost you a dime.

Your Hands
Yep, you read that right. Believe it or not, your hands can break up bud into smokable pieces. It won’t give you the same quality grind as a standard grinder, but you’ll still be able to pack a bowl or roll a joint effectively. Use your fingertips to break the bud apart. As an added bonus, this will release the delicious plant oils and will leave your fingers smelling like your favorite strain.

Credit or Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are made up of firm and thick plastic. This makes them perfect for busting up bud. Place the cannabis on a hard and level surface. Then, use the edge of the card to gradually chop the bud up. You’ll want to keep doing this until all the large chunks are broken up. Just make sure to clean the card thoroughly afterwards.

Scissors
Scissors are a great way to break up bud and you probably have at least one pair lurking around the house. Put your bud in a small container like a shot glass or empty medicine bottle. Then, put the blades of the scissors into the container and start cutting. The blades will chop up the bud quickly and the container will catch the bud so you won’t waste anything.

Zester
Zesters are fine graters traditionally used to scrape the flavorful part of citrus fruit peels into recipes. But they’re also the perfect tool for grinding weed. Lay the zester over a bowl, cup, or on top of a clean cutting board. Then, rub the bud against the raised side of the zester until the bud is ground up. Once finished, tap the top of the zester with your hand to release any lingering bits of weed from the blades. 

Kitchen Knife
If you can dice an onion, you can use a kitchen knife to grind up your bud. Place the bud on a clean cutting board. Make sure it doesn’t have any residual food smells as they can change the taste of your bud. Then, chop the bud carefully. Don’t feel rushed. You can go as slow as you need to keep your fingers in one piece.

These grinder alternatives should help you enjoy your high until you can replace your missing grinder. When you’re ready, stop by one of our three locations and pick up a replacement and a few extra rolling papers. We’ve got everything you need to replenish your stash and your tools.