Kief remains the crowning jewel of cannabis. Over the centuries, cannasseurs have developed countless ways to extract these cannabinoid-rich particles from the tops of delicate trichomes. As we enter a more relaxed age for cannabis legalization, it’s likely extractors will discover even more hi-tech ways to filter kief off of buds.
While advanced machines may be more “efficient” at extracting kief, these are only good for people who have access to lab settings. What if you’re just a humble cannabis fan that wants to collect kief at home?
Well, the most obvious way to start collecting kief is to look for a “kief grinder.” These herb grinders have special screens that help users gather kief without even knowing it. Upgrading to a kief grinder could add some crazy potency to your smoking sessions.
What Makes A “Kief Grinder” Different From Regular Grinders?
Honestly, the term “kief grinder” is a bit misleading. When you grind cannabis with these products, you’re not actually tearing the plant’s precious kief. Instead, these special devices have multiple screens that help filter kief into the bottom chamber.
So, as you’re grinding your primary herb in the top chamber, any small particles from the tips of your trichomes should fall through narrow mesh screens. After multiple rounds of grinding marijuana, you should start to see kief powder forming in the kief catcher.
Please never assume that a marijuana grinder always has kief filters. While kief catchers are “catching on” in standard grinder design, this feature usually isn’t in cheaper units. Always read through a grinder’s specifications to see if it has a way to catch kief.
While you don’t have to use the kief in your grinder right away, you should inspect the mesh screens after every few sessions. Since trichomes are naturally sticky, they will clog these filters after repeated use. It’s a good idea to give these screens a quick brush after each use. You may also want to wash these screens in a mix of water and isopropyl alcohol about once per month.
Interestingly, some cannabis fans recommend popping your grinder in the freezer for about 20 minutes after each use. Since cannabinoids are fat-soluble compounds, this tip should make it easier for any trapped trichomes to fall through nitty-gritty mesh screens. After the 20 minutes are up, give your grinder a few taps on the side, and you should be good to go.
Please refer to your marijuana grinder’s handbook for the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions.
What Do You Do With All The Kief You’ve Caught?
Once you have a decent dusting of kief, you may be wondering what to do with it.
Well, the good news is that kief is a highly versatile way to get, well, “high.” You can add a sprinkling of kief to pretty much anything for extra flavor and potency.
Of course, you could add kief directly to bongs, joints, or spliffs for a supercharged experience. A sprinkling of kief is also an essential feature on hot new products like twax joints and moon rocks. For those who are more industrious, it’s also possible to make DIY hash or edibles with kief powder.
Just be careful about adding too much kief to your favorite cannabis products. While kief may look like harmless dust, it doesn’t take much to send you to Mars.