Boiling a grinder – does it really work?

The idea of ​​boiling your grinder may sound unusual at first. But many users swear by it for removing stubborn resin residue or even extracting the last cannabinoids from the device. But what's the truth behind this method? Can you actually get high by boiling it? And is it safe to boil your grinder in milk or water?

Why boil the grinder at all?

The idea of ​​boiling a grinder usually comes from two directions:

1. Cleaning and resin solution:
   After many sessions, sticky residue—often cannabis resin (also called kief)—builds up between the teeth, in the thread, or in the pollen sieve. This is often difficult to remove with a brush or alcohol. Heat in a water bath or milk can loosen it and separate it from the material.

2. Utilize active ingredients (e.g. in milk):
   Some cannabinoids that accumulate in the residue from the grinder are fat-soluble. Therefore, there's a belief online that you can boil the grinder in milk and then drink it to "get high." Whether this actually works is controversial, and there are a few things to consider.

Is boiling safe?

Not always! Here's a brief overview:

• 🔥 Metal grinders: Generally safe as long as no paint, varnish or sensitive seals are affected.

• 🚫 Plastic grinders: Not suitable! They can deform, release toxins, or melt.

• 💡 Wooden grinders: Also unsuitable – they swell, crack, or lose their structure.

Conclusion: Only metal grinders (aluminum, steel) are suitable for boiling.

🔁 Better alternatives to grinder boiling

Instead of boiling your grinder (and possibly drinking leftover milk with old resin particles), there are much more sensible ways to use leftovers or keep your grinder clean:

🧽 1. Isopropanol cleaning (for resin & kief)

• Disassemble the grinder

• Place all parts in a glass with isopropanol (at least 70%)

• Leave it on for 15–30 minutes

• Remove residue with a cotton swab

• Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and let dry

Effect: Removes even fine layers of resin – perfect for pollen traps!

🪥 2. Scrape out the grinder

• With a scraper or blunt object (e.g. spatula, plastic card)

• Particularly suitable for kief sieves & gaps

Tip: Collect kief and use it later!

🌬️ 3. Brush & compressed air

• Use a brush with medium-hard bristles (e.g. toothbrush, beard brush)

• For hard-to-reach areas, compressed air spray also helps

🔄 4. Clean regularly = less effort

If you give your grinder a light cleaning regularly, you won't even need to boil it. Even a quick brush or tap after use will prevent resin buildup later.

🔗 Internal tip:

👉 Read here how to properly clean and care for your grinder :
Cleaning grinders – simple methods for metal, wood & more

Conclusion: Boiling the grinder – useful or nonsense?

Boiling your grinder can work in some cases—especially for cleaning metal models. However, the idea of ​​getting high from it is usually wishful thinking: Only extremely resinous grinders could release noticeable amounts of THC, and even then, the effect is rarely reliable.

Our recommendation:

• ✅ Instead, use proven cleaning methods with isopropanol or warm water

• ✅ For “leftover utilization”: scrape out kief and reuse it in joints or bongs

• 🚫 No boiling of plastic or wooden grinders !

• 🚫 Boiling milk = disgusting, impractical, dubious

If you really want to get the most out of your material, a high-quality grinder with a pollen compartment – ​​and regular maintenance – is worth it.