Why Coarse Grinders Are Actually Worth It (And When to Use Them)

The Case for Grinding Coarse

Look, I get it. When you first start using grinders, the instinct is to grind everything down to a fine, fluffy consistency. That's what looks "right," and honestly, for rolling joints, it is right.

But here's the thing - not everyone is rolling joints. And if you're vaping or packing bowls, grinding too fine can actually mess up your experience.

Let me explain why coarse grinders exist, and more importantly, when you'd actually want to use one.

What Even Is a Coarse Grind?

First off, let's get on the same page about what "coarse" means here.

Fine grind: Almost powder-like. Think espresso grounds. Perfect for rolling because it distributes evenly in the paper.

Medium grind: What most standard grinders produce. Small, broken-up pieces. The goldilocks zone for most uses.

Coarse grind: Chunkier pieces. More like... I don't know, oregano flakes? You can still clearly see the individual pieces.

Coarse grinders either have fewer, larger holes at the bottom (so only bigger pieces fall through), or they're designed with teeth spaced further apart. Some people also just don't grind as long to keep things chunky.

Why Would Anyone Want a Coarse Grind?

Good question. Here's where coarse grinding actually makes sense:

For Dry Herb Vaporizers

This is the big one. Most dry herb vapes - especially convection vapes - work way better with a coarse grind.

Why? Airflow.

When you grind super fine, you essentially create a dense pack that air can't easily flow through. Your vape has to work harder to heat everything evenly, and you might end up with uneven vaporization - some parts burnt, some barely touched.

With a coarser grind, hot air can flow between the larger pieces, heating everything more evenly. You get better vapor production and more consistent AVB (already vaped bud - which should all be the same color when you're done).

Real talk: I learned this the hard way with my Pax. Was grinding super fine thinking I was being smart, and kept getting harsh hits with uneven results. Switched to a coarser grind and it was night and day.

For Packing Bowls and Pipes

If you're smoking bowls, coarse grinding helps prevent a few annoying problems:

Problem #1: Material falling through the hole. You know that frustrating moment when you've perfectly packed a bowl, take a hit, and half of it gets sucked through? Coarse pieces are less likely to do that.

Problem #2: Cherry management. With finer grinds, the whole bowl can start burning at once (the "cherry"). Sometimes that's what you want, but if you're trying to conserve or session slowly, coarser pieces let you control the burn better.

Problem #3: Airflow again. Same principle as vaping - you need air to actually flow through your bowl. Too fine = too dense = harder pulls.

When You Want to Preserve Terpenes

Here's something a lot of people don't think about: the more you grind, the more surface area you expose, and the faster those flavorful terpenes start evaporating.

If you're the type who appreciates the subtle flavor differences between strains, a coarser grind exposes less surface area and might preserve more of those aromatic compounds until you actually use it.

Is this a huge difference? Probably not. But some people swear by it, especially with really premium flower.

For Edibles and Extractions

Wait, what? Yeah, hear me out.

When you're making cannabutter or oils, you don't want your herb ground into powder. That makes it way harder to strain out later, and you can end up with a gritty final product.

A coarse grind (or even just hand-breaking) gives you enough surface area for good extraction while keeping pieces large enough to strain out easily with cheesecloth.

The Coarse Grind Experience: What to Expect

The Good

Better airflow: Whether vaping or smoking, air moves through coarser material more easily.

Less mess: Coarser pieces are less likely to stick to everything or puff away when you open your grinder.

Faster grinding: You don't need to twist as long. Just a few turns and you're good.

Easier handling: Coarse ground herb is just easier to work with - easier to pinch, easier to pack, easier to control.

The Not-So-Good

Not ideal for rolling: Trying to roll a joint with coarsely ground herb is... not fun. It won't distribute evenly, and you'll get an uneven burn.

Less kief collection: If you're using a 4-piece grinder with a kief catcher, coarser grinding means fewer trichomes breaking off and falling through the screen.

Can be inconsistent: Hand-breaking or barely grinding can lead to uneven piece sizes, which affects the experience.

How to Get a Coarse Grind

You've got a few options:

Option 1: Use Any Grinder, Just Don't Grind as Long

The simplest approach. Instead of your usual 10-15 twists, do 3-5 and call it good.

Pros: No new equipment needed.

Cons: Takes practice to get consistent results. You might accidentally grind too much.

Option 2: Get a Coarse Grind Grinder

Some grinders are specifically designed for coarser results. They typically have:

Larger holes at the bottom
Fewer, more widely-spaced teeth
Shallower grinding chambers

The Diamond Edge 2-Piece Grinder is a great example - its design naturally produces a medium-coarse consistency perfect for vaporizers.

Pros: Consistent results every time. Designed specifically for this purpose.

Cons: Another grinder to buy and keep track of.

Option 3: Flip Your Grinder Upside Down (Then Stop)

Here's a trick: with a 2-piece or 4-piece grinder, flip it upside down while grinding. This prevents material from falling through the holes, so it all stays in the grinding chamber.

Grind for just a few twists, then flip it back and let the coarser pieces fall through.

Pros: Works with grinders you already own.

Cons: Takes some trial and error to get the timing right.

Option 4: Use a Grinder Card

Grinder cards (those credit-card-sized things with grating holes) naturally produce a coarser result than traditional grinders.

Pros: Super portable. Consistent coarse grind.

Cons: Takes more physical effort. Not great for large amounts.

Option 5: Just Use Your Fingers

Old school, but it works. Hand-breaking herb gives you complete control over piece size.

Pros: Ultimate control. No equipment needed. Preserves maximum trichomes.

Cons: Sticky fingers. Time-consuming. Inconsistent results. You'll smell like weed.

Matching Grind to Use Case

Let's make this super simple:

Rolling joints/blunts: Fine to medium. Use a regular grinder, 10-15 twists. You want it fluffy.

Vaporizers (convection): Coarse to medium-coarse. Just a few quick grinds, or use a coarse-specific grinder.

Vaporizers (conduction): Medium. Standard grinding is fine for most conduction vapes.

Glass bowls/pipes: Medium to coarse. Don't grind it to powder.

Bongs: Medium. Pretty forgiving, standard grind works great.

Edibles/extractions: Coarse to hand-broken. Don't overdo it.

Kief collection: Fine. More grinding = more trichomes falling through the screen.

Product Spotlight: Diamond Edge 2-Piece Grinder

Speaking of coarse grinding, the Diamond Edge 2-Piece Grinder hits a sweet spot for people who want options.

Why it works for coarse grinding:

Sharp, widely-spaced diamond-cut teeth
Shallow chamber design
2-piece design means you control exactly how much gets ground
Medium-coarse consistency right out of the box

Added bonuses:

Super portable (no extra chambers to worry about)
Works great for travel
Durable aluminum construction
Affordable at under $20

It's honestly the grinder I recommend most to vape users. You can grind coarse for your vape sessions, or if you want something finer for rolling, just grind a bit longer.

Common Coarse Grinder Mistakes

Mistake #1: Using Coarse for Rolling

I see people try this all the time. They've heard coarse is "better" so they try to roll with it. Don't. Just don't. Your joint will canoe like crazy and burn super unevenly.

Coarse is great, but know when to use it.

Mistake #2: Too Coarse

Yes, this is possible. If you're basically just hand-ripping chunks off and throwing them in your vape, you're not getting enough surface area for good vaporization. You want pieces, not whole buds.

Mistake #3: Inconsistent Piece Size

Whether you're hand-breaking or using the "barely grind" method, try to keep pieces relatively uniform in size. Big chunks mixed with powder means uneven vaporization or burning.

Mistake #4: Grinding Wet Material Coarsely

If your herb is still pretty fresh/moist, coarse grinding can be a pain. The material tends to stick together in clumps rather than staying in nice, separate pieces.

For coarse grinding, you actually want your material on the drier side (but not bone dry - that's a whole other issue).

Pro Tips for Coarse Grinding

Tip 1: Break Up Dense Buds First

Before you even put anything in your grinder, hand-break dense buds into a few smaller pieces. This helps ensure more even, coarse results rather than some pieces being chunky and others being powder.

Tip 2: The Coin Trick Doesn't Work Here

That trick where you put a coin in your grinder's collection chamber to help knock kief through the screen? Skip it if you're going for coarse. You want those trichomes staying on your material.

Tip 3: Clean Grinders = Better Coarse Results

Buildup in your grinder can cause material to stick and clump, which defeats the whole purpose of coarse grinding. Keep your grinder clean, especially if you're using it for coarse grinds.

Tip 4: Consider a Dedicated Coarse Grinder

If you vape regularly, having a separate grinder you use specifically for coarse grinding makes life easier. You're not constantly adjusting technique, and you can dial in the perfect consistency.

When to Grind Fine Instead

Look, coarse isn't always the answer. Here's when you should absolutely stick with fine:

Rolling anything: Joints, blunts, cones - all need fine. Non-negotiable.

Pre-roll machines: If you're filling cones with a machine, fine grind flows through the machine better.

Maximum kief collection: If you're specifically trying to build up kief in a 4-piece grinder, grind fine and often.

Certain vaporizers: Some vapes (especially older models) actually work better with finer grinds. Check your vape's manual.

The Hybrid Approach: Medium Grind

Honestly? For most people, a medium grind is the way to go. It's the best compromise:

Works for both vaping and smoking
Rolls okay (not perfect, but okay)
Decent airflow
Moderate kief collection
Easy to achieve with any standard grinder

Unless you have a specific reason to go coarse (or fine), medium is your friend.

Real User Experiences

Sarah, vape user: "I was so confused why my Pax kept giving me harsh hits. Found a Reddit thread that said to grind coarser, tried it, and holy shit what a difference. Wish someone had told me this from day one."

Mike, bowl smoker: "Coarse grinding changed how I pack bowls. Nothing falls through anymore, and I can actually corner bowls properly now instead of everything cherrying at once."

Jen, joint roller: "Tried coarse once for a joint. Never again. It was terrible. Stick to fine for rolling, folks."

Dave, edible maker: "Learned the hard way that grinding too fine for cannabutter = gritty brownies. Coarse or hand-broken is definitely the way."

The Bottom Line

Coarse grinding isn't better or worse than fine grinding - it's just different, and better suited for specific situations.

Get a coarse grinder (or learn coarse technique) if:

You mainly use dry herb vaporizers
You smoke bowls and pipes more than joints
You make edibles or extractions
You want better airflow in your pieces
You're tired of material falling through screens

Stick with fine/medium grinding if:

You mostly roll joints or blunts
You want maximum kief collection
You use pre-roll machines or cones
Your vaporizer specifically recommends fine grind

And if you're not sure? Just get a versatile 2-piece like the Diamond Edge Grinder that lets you control the grind consistency yourself. A few quick twists for coarse, more twists for finer results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will coarse grinding give me worse hits?

A: Depends on what you're using. For vapes and bowls, coarse often gives better hits because of improved airflow. For joints, coarse will definitely give worse hits.

Q: Can I use a regular grinder for coarse grinding?

A: Absolutely. Just don't grind as long. Do 3-5 quick twists instead of 10-15.

Q: Is hand-breaking the same as coarse grinding?

A: Similar, but hand-breaking is usually even coarser and less consistent. Both work for vaping and bowls though.

Q: Will I get less high with coarse grinding?

A: Nope. Same material, same compounds. The grind consistency just affects how it burns or vaporizes, not the potency.

Q: What's the best grinder for coarse grinding?

A: 2-piece grinders give you the most control. The Diamond Edge 2-Piece is great for this. Some 4-piece grinders with larger holes also work well.

Q: Can I grind coarse for a bong?

A: Sure, though medium is probably better. Coarse works, but you might need to use a screen to prevent pieces from pulling through.

Ready to Try Coarse Grinding?

Whether you're getting a dedicated coarse grinder or just planning to adjust your technique, give it a shot. You might be surprised at how much better your vape sessions become.

Check out the Diamond Edge 2-Piece Grinder - it's perfect for experimenting with different grind consistencies and finding what works best for you.

And hey, if coarse doesn't work for you? No worries. Just grind longer and go back to what you know. The beauty of a good grinder is versatility.

Happy grinding - however coarse or fine you like it.