Grinder Accessories Guide: Pollen Scrapers, Brushes, Storage, and More

The right accessories can dramatically improve your grinding experience, help you collect more kief, maintain your grinder, and organize your setup. This guide covers every grinder accessory worth considering and how to use each one effectively.

Quick Answer

Essential grinder accessories include: pollen/kief scrapers (for collecting kief from chamber), cleaning brushes (for maintenance), grinder coins (increases kief collection 20-30%), humidity packs (prevent cannabis from drying out), and storage containers (keep ground cannabis fresh). Most quality grinders include a basic scraper; other accessories are sold separately.

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Pollen Scrapers and Kief Tools

What They Do

Pollen scrapers (also called kief scrapers or shovels) help you:

• Collect kief from the catcher chamber
• Scrape resin from grinder surfaces
• Transfer kief without waste
• Clean tight corners and screens

Types of Scrapers

Included Scrapers:

Most 4-piece grinders include a small scraper - usually plastic or basic metal. These work but are often flimsy.

Upgraded Metal Scrapers:

• Stainless steel construction
• More durable and precise
• Better edge for scraping
• $2-5 for quality options

Shovel-Style Scrapers:

• Spoon-shaped end
• Better for scooping kief
• Easier transfer to bowl or paper
• $3-8 depending on quality

Multi-Tool Scrapers:

• Combine scraper, poker, and tamper
• All-in-one convenience
• Great for travel kits
• $5-15 for quality options

How to Use Scrapers Effectively

For kief collection:

1. Remove kief catcher chamber

2. Hold over clean surface or paper

3. Angle scraper at 45 degrees to bottom

4. Sweep kief toward center

5. Scoop and transfer

Pro tip: Freeze grinder for 20 minutes first - kief becomes less sticky and easier to collect.

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Cleaning Brushes

Why Brushes Matter

Proper brushes make maintenance easier and more effective:

• Reach into teeth grooves
• Clean screens without damage
• Remove resin from threads
• Extend time between deep cleanings

Types of Cleaning Brushes

Small Stiff Brushes:

• Similar to toothbrush but smaller
• Stiff bristles for resin removal
• Essential for regular maintenance
• $2-5 for quality brushes

Screen Cleaning Brushes:

• Softer bristles
• Won't damage fine mesh
• Specifically designed for kief screens
• $3-6 typically

Dual-Sided Brushes:

• Stiff bristles on one end
• Soft bristles on other
• Best versatility
• $4-8 range

Guitar String/Wire Brushes:

• Metal bristles
• Very aggressive cleaning
• For heavy resin buildup only
• Can scratch softer metals

Brush Maintenance

Even brushes need care:

• Clean brushes after use (tap out debris)
• Soak in isopropyl alcohol periodically
• Replace when bristles flatten
• Don't use same brush for different purposes

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Grinder Coins

What They Are

A grinder coin is a small, heavy coin or disc placed in the middle chamber (above the screen) to help knock more kief through the screen.

How They Work

When you shake the grinder after grinding:

• Coin moves around the chamber
• Knocks trichomes off ground cannabis
• Pushes kief through screen mesh
• Increases kief collection 20-30%

Best Coins to Use

Currency Coins:

• US nickel (good weight, smooth)
• Canadian nickel (similar)
• Euro coins (various good options)

Cleaning note: Sanitize coins before use - soak in isopropyl alcohol and dry completely.

Dedicated Grinder Coins:

• Designed specifically for grinders
• Often weighted perfectly
• Sometimes branded or decorative
• $3-10 depending on material

Coin Technique

1. Place clean coin in middle chamber

2. Grind cannabis normally

3. Tap grinder on palm 5-10 times

4. Shake grinder side-to-side

5. Repeat tapping

6. Check kief catcher - noticeably more!

Important: Don't shake too aggressively or plant material (not just kief) will push through.

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Humidity Control

Why Humidity Matters

Cannabis moisture level affects:

• Grinding consistency
• Kief production
• Flavor and potency
• Smoke smoothness

Too dry: Harsh smoke, excessive kief loss, brittle material

Too moist: Gummy grind, clogs grinder, potential mold

Humidity Packs

What they do: Maintain consistent humidity in storage containers.

Popular brands:

• Boveda (most popular, 62% or 58% RH)
• Integra Boost (similar function)
• RAW Hydrostone (reusable terracotta)

How to use:

1. Place pack in storage container with cannabis

2. Pack absorbs or releases moisture as needed

3. Replace every 2-6 months (when pack hardens)

For grinder use: Store ground cannabis with humidity pack if not using immediately.

Hydrostone Alternative

Terracotta stones (like RAW Hydrostone):

• Soak in water for 5 minutes
• Pat dry and place with cannabis
• Releases moisture slowly
• Reusable indefinitely
• $3-8 for quality options

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Storage Solutions

Storing Ground Cannabis

Ground cannabis loses potency and flavor faster than whole buds. Proper storage is essential.

Glass Jars:

• Best for freshness
• Airtight seal
• UV-blocking options available
• Various sizes for different amounts

Metal Containers:

• Durable and smell-proof
• Good for travel
• Less visibility (can't see contents)
• Often come with grinders

Silicone Containers:

• Non-stick surface
• Great for sticky cannabis
• Easy to clean
• Various sizes available

Kief Storage

Kief requires special consideration:

• Extremely fine and easy to lose
• Sticks to many surfaces
• Can clump with humidity

Best kief storage:

• Small glass jars with wide opening
• Silicone containers (kief won't stick)
• Dedicated kief boxes with multiple chambers

Complete Storage Systems

Some manufacturers offer full systems:

• Main storage compartment
• Grinder integration
• Kief collection area
• Rolling tray surface
• $20-50+ for quality systems

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Rolling Tray Accessories

Why Trays Matter

Rolling trays complement grinders:

• Catch any spilled cannabis
• Provide clean rolling surface
• Organize accessories
• Magnetic options hold grinder in place

Tray Features to Consider

Size: Match to your rolling style and space

Edges: Curved edges prevent spillage

Material: Metal (durable), wood (aesthetic), plastic (budget)

Magnetic: Holds metal grinder securely

Tray Accessories

• Poker/tamper tools: For packing bowls or joints
• Scraper cards: Collect cannabis from tray surface
• Magnetic covers: Keep tray clean and smell-contained
• Built-in storage: Compartments for papers, tips, lighter

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Grinder Cases and Bags

Travel Protection

For transporting grinders:

• Padded cases prevent damage
• Smell-proof bags contain odor
• Hard cases protect from crushing
• Organized pockets for accessories

What to Look For

Smell-proof: Activated carbon lining

Padded: Foam or felt interior

Size: Fits your specific grinder

Pockets: Room for scraper, brush, etc.

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DIY Accessories

Homemade Solutions

Guitar pick scraper: Works well for kief collection

Old toothbrush: Excellent cleaning brush

Freezer method: No accessory needed - freezing loosens kief

Paper funnel: For transferring kief without loss

When DIY Works (and Doesn't)

DIY works for:

• Basic scrapers
• Cleaning brushes
• Temporary solutions

Worth buying:

• Quality brushes (last longer, work better)
• Grinder coins (better than currency)
• Humidity packs (can't DIY this)
• Storage containers (proper seals matter)

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Accessory Kits

All-in-One Options

Many brands sell complete accessory kits including:

• Scraper/poker tool
• Cleaning brush
• Grinder coin
• Small storage container
• Carrying case

Price range: $10-30 for quality kits

Worth it? If buying accessories separately costs more, kits offer good value. Check that each item is quality, not just quantity.

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Recommended Accessories by User Type

Casual User (Few times per week)

Essential:

• Basic scraper (usually included)
• Small cleaning brush

Nice to have:

• Storage jar for ground cannabis

Regular User (Daily)

Essential:

• Quality metal scraper
• Dual-sided cleaning brush
• Grinder coin
• Storage containers

Nice to have:

• Rolling tray
• Humidity packs
• Dedicated grinder case

Enthusiast/Connoisseur

Essential:

• Premium scraper set
• Multiple brushes
• Grinder coin
• Quality storage system
• Humidity control
• Rolling tray setup

Nice to have:

• Multiple grinders for different purposes
• Complete storage/organization system

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Where to Buy Accessories

Quality accessories are available from:

• Smoke shops (immediate availability)
• Online retailers (better selection)
• Grinder manufacturers (designed for their products)
• Amazon (wide selection, check reviews)

For grinders and accessories, MunchMakers offers quality options designed to work together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a grinder coin?

Not essential, but highly recommended for 4-piece grinder users who want to maximize kief collection. The 20-30% increase in kief makes the small investment worthwhile.

How often should I replace my scraper?

Quality metal scrapers can last years. Replace plastic scrapers when they crack or become too worn to scrape effectively. If your scraper is bending or breaking, upgrade to metal.

Can I use any brush for cleaning?

Use brushes with bristles that won't damage your grinder. Soft bristles for screens, stiffer bristles for teeth. Avoid wire brushes on anodized finishes - they can scratch.

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Conclusion

The right accessories transform your grinding experience from basic to optimal. Start with essentials (quality scraper and brush), then add accessories based on your usage level and preferences.

Most importantly, actually use your accessories - they only help if you incorporate them into your routine.

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This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.