What is an electric herb grinder, and why do you need one?
Electric grinders typically consist of a motor, a power source, and two plates that spin against each other, grinding the herb between them. Electric grinders can be anywhere from handheld electric grinder units that fit easily into a large pocket or small purse, larger units that attach to the end of a drill, or industrial grinders for manufacturers/producers who grind enormous quantities for packaging and distribution. Most electric grinders are preferred by users for their ease of use, consistent grind (with the right brands), and speed. Some even have cone shaped dispensing tips that allow you to dispense your herb directly where you want it, with no spillage or contamination. In our testing of electric grinders, we preferred electric grinders that allowed users to toggle between turn directions to break up the herb in a more efficient way. We also liked electric grinders with a capacity of an ounce or larger – most of the manual grinders we found were unable to grind smoothly with that much herb.
Features you didn’t know you needed
When looking at electric grinders, we preferred models with aircraft grade aluminum parts. These parts did not break as easily as their alloy/plastic counterparts and stayed sharper longer through rigorous grinding. A good, sharp blade is important to make sure you’re not just destroying your herb. Smooth, clean cuts from sharp aircraft grade aluminum really brought out the full potency and flavour of our herb.
Speed is crucial – the longer you have to rip and tear your herb, the more time it has to lose it is valuable oils. We found the Mamba electric grinder to be the fastest grinder, at 20 times the speed of a manual grinder.
Look for a grinder that is able to provide the same quality of grind each time you use it. Grinders that deliver a perfect grind, every time, are grinders that your herb wants in its life. Do not waste your money and time on a grinder that works well with fresh batteries, but after a use or two begins to lose its power and ability.
Hygiene is a complicated, important factor when grinding – you don’t always know how clean your prep area is, or your hands. There could be bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants around that you definitely don’t want mixed into your finished product. Nothing like accidentally packing a hair into your bowl! Manual grinders require an extra step between grinding and consuming. The herb must be removed from the grinder and somehow placed into the desired receptacle. Some brands of electric herb grinder have a hygienic dispensing cone tip, so that their grinders can grind your herb and dispense it directly where it needs to go without risking spillage, wastage, or contamination.
Our suggestion
After our comprehensive testing, our favourite grinder is the Mamba electric herb grinder. It has more than enough storage capacity for non-industrial use, conveniently runs on AA batteries, was designed with ergonomics in mind, and looks phenomenal if you choose to display it. The designers and engineers went to great lengths to source high-quality parts (hello, aircraft grade aluminum!), and took special care to ensure a smooth, easy, one-handed operation. The Mamba grinder is inexpensive, especially considering the high-quality parts, and can also be found at select retailers. A good grinder, like the Mamba, will absolutely change your herb experience!
