Grinding without a grinder – 9 easy alternatives to crushing cannabis

Got some fresh weed but don't have a grinder handy? Don't worry—you're not alone.
Many people ask themselves:
👉 How can I grind my weed without a grinder?
👉 What is a good grinder alternative?
👉 Is it even possible to chop grass without tools?

The answer: Yes – there are many clever alternative methods that will still allow you to grind your weed to perfection. In this guide, we'll show you the best DIY alternatives , practical tips for emergencies, and explain why a grinder still makes sense in the long run.

🌿 Why grind at all?

Before we get started: Why do we chop grass at all?

• ✅ Even grind = better burn

• ✅ More surface area = more intense high

• ✅ Less clogging = better airflow

• ✅ Optional: Collect kief (only with grinder)

Whether in a joint, a pipe, or a vaporizer – finely ground weed provides a better effect and a more pleasant smoking experience.

Grinding without a grinder – 9 practical alternatives

You don't need a fancy grinder to grind your weed. Here are 9 simple methods that work without any special tools—many of them using things you probably already have at home.

1. Crush with your fingers (hand method)

The simplest solution: crumble your weed with your fingers .
This always works – whether outside or on the couch.

Advantages:

• Works everywhere

• No tools needed

Disadvantages:

• Your fingers stick together with resin

• Pollen sticks to the skin

• Not very even

💡 Tip: Wash your hands well beforehand and dust them with cornstarch if necessary → less resin sticking.

2. Scissors + small glass (shot glass trick)

Place your weed in a small glass (shot glass, spice jar, etc.) and cut it with clean scissors .

Advantages:

• Fast & clean method

• No resin on your fingers

• Even grind

Disadvantages:

• Needs some practice

• Smaller quantities work better

💡 Pro tip: Use rounded craft scissors – this will reduce stickiness.

3. Cutting board + kitchen knife

Like cooking: Chop your weed on a board with a small, sharp kitchen knife .

Advantages:

• Very precise

• Ideal for drier material

Disadvantages:

• Knives stick together quickly

• Pollen sticks to the board

💡 Tip: Use a plastic or glass board , not wood - it's easier to clean.

4. Mortar & Pestle (Kitchen Classic)

If you have a mortar and pestle at home (e.g. for spices), you can use it to crush and grind your weed in the classic way .

Advantages:

• Consistent result

• Gentle on fine, dry material

• Works great even with small quantities

Disadvantages:

• Not everyone has a mortar

• Some cleaning required (depending on the material)

💡 Tip: Especially suitable for edibles or vapes – because it turns out nice and fine.

5. Coin-in-Bottle / Pill + Coin

Take a small, clean container with a lid (e.g., an empty Tic-Tac box or pill bottle) and add your weed along with a clean coin . Shake vigorously!

Advantages:

• Surprisingly effective

• Fun factor high

• Ideal for on the go

Disadvantages:

• Not for large quantities

• Somewhat uneven

💡 Tip: A 1- or 2-cent coin usually works best. Clean it with alcohol first!

6. Pepper mill or cheese grater

If you want something more refined – e.g. for edibles or joints – the kitchen route also helps:

🔸 Pepper mill

• Add dried grass, grind like pepper

• Fine result, little effort

🔸 Cheese grater (Microplane)

• Especially good for very dry buds

• Pulls down fine flakes like Parmesan 😅

Advantages:

• Fast & thorough

• Good consistency for joints

Disadvantages:

• Trichomes stick to metal

• The mill must then be cleaned thoroughly

💡 Tip: Only work with completely dry material – otherwise it will stick together immediately.

7. Plastic bag + rolling pin / bottle (roll-press trick)

Place your weed in a sturdy zip-top bag , seal it tightly, and roll it with a rolling pin or a glass bottle , just like dough.

Advantages:

• Consistent result

• Good method for larger quantities

• No direct contact with hands

Disadvantages:

• Not ideal for wet grass

• Pressure can damage trichomes

💡 Tip: Use two bags (double bag) so nothing slips out.

8. Blender or chopper (only in an emergency!)

A small electric blender or food processor works like an oversized grinder – but use with caution!

Advantages:

• Super fast

• Works with large quantities

Disadvantages:

• Grass often becomes too fine

• Cleaning is annoying

• Loss of trichomes on the device

💡 Tip: Only “pulse” briefly, do not let it run through!

9. DIY solutions – Build your own grinder

For real hobbyists, there are creative options – for example:

• CD case + nails : Two plastic plates with nails placed against each other

• Can with perforated sheet : A self-made shredder with lid and grating surface

• Credit card grinder : Mini rasp in credit card format (also available ready-made)

Advantages:

• It's fun and creative

• Some solutions surprisingly effective

Disadvantages:

• Never as clean & efficient as a real grinder

• Usually intended for single use or emergencies

🧠 Conclusion: DIY is possible – but a real grinder is worth it!

There are many creative ways to grind your weed without a grinder – from simple (finger method) to clever (coin-in-bottle or mortar). For on-the-go or spontaneous sessions, these tricks are often perfectly adequate.

But: If you grind regularly, you will benefit from a proper 4-piece grinder with pollen sieve .
This saves you time, protects your material and gets the most out of every nug.

➡️ Our recommendation:
Granny's Weed Grinder – discover it now in our shop