3 Piece vs 4 Piece Herb Grinders - Which is Better for You?
Most herb grinders, no matter whether they are made of wood, plastic, or metal, look and work very similarly. They are cylindrically shaped and grind up herb by twisting two pieces against each other.
However, there are different options available when it comes to how many pieces the grinder has. These pieces can be separated from one another and each perform their own function. This article will look at 2 piece, 3 piece, and 4 piece grinders, and help you to decide which one is best for your grinding needs!
2 Piece Grinder:
The 2 piece grinder is very simple; it just has a top and bottom piece, with cutting teeth on the inside of each piece. Herb is placed between the two pieces, which are then closed and twisted until it is ground up. Then it is a matter of tapping each piece to let the herb fall out, ready to use.
These grinders are cheaper than the others, and perform the basic task of herb grinding. However, herb residue will build up in each of the pieces and they require more frequent cleaning. Otherwise, retrieving the ground up herb will become more and more difficult as residue accumulates.
Pros:
- Most compact
Cons:
- Requires more maintenance and cleaning as residue builds up
- Doesn’t collect kief
- Can’t separate ground herb from whole
3 Piece Grinder:
The 3 piece grinder has an extra piece that fits under the bottom grinding chamber, which itself has holes allowing the material to drop down into the herb chamber. This helps to slow the buildup of residue in the grinding chamber, allowing you to go longer before having to clean the grinder.
Also, it is much easier to pinch the herb directly out of the herb chamber and place it where you want it, rather than needing a hard, flat surface to tap the grinding chamber on to empty it, as in the 2 piece grinder. Not to mention, it avoids the hassle of needing to pick out herb from between the teeth of the grinder!
Pros:
- Relatively more compact
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Separate chamber collects and stores your ground herb
Cons:
- Doesn’t collect kief
4 Piece Grinder:
The 4 piece grinder has an extra piece that attaches underneath the herb chamber. This piece is called the kief chamber, and is separated from the herb chamber by a metal screen that allows only the finest, purest materials to pass through. The kief will accumulate with each use of the grinder, and is easy to access whenever desired.
Pros:
- Separate chamber collects your herb
- Additional chamber collects your kief
Cons:
- A bit less compact
3 Piece vs 4 Piece Herb Grinder
As you decide which grinder to get, you should consider your own needs and preferences.
The 3 piece grinder has the added benefit that the 2 piece grinder does not - less frequent clogging and easier access to the herb.
The 4 piece grinder is different from the 3 piece grinder due to its separate kief chamber. This means that the kief will fall through the herb chamber (3rd piece) and into the kief chamber (4th piece). On one hand, this means the material in the herb chamber has less kief, and as such is less potent in the 4 piece grinder compared to the 3 piece grinder. On the other hand, it makes it easier to accumulate kief and use it when you want to.
Ultimately, it is a matter of preference; do you enjoy collecting a reserve of kief to use on special occasions, or would you rather keep it mixed in with your ground herb?
Bottom Line & Takeaways
Whether you choose a 3-piece grinder or a 4-piece grinder from Iaso Goods, you’ll know you are getting a top quality product designed with durability and ease of use in mind. Our 100% Medical Grade Stainless Steel grinders are made in the USA to last a lifetime and come with free shipping and our Limited Lifetime Warranty.