Amsterdam grinder: two parts, metal, magnetic lid
The Amsterdam grinder has two parts, a lid and a grinding chamber. You place your herbs between the teeth, twist the halves against each other a few turns and lift the lid off again. Everything you ground sits loose in the bottom half. There is no middle plate, no screen and no collection cup: in a two-part grinder the material stays in one chamber, which keeps the whole thing quick and predictable.
The teeth are diamond shaped. Those points catch the material from several directions, so your herbs are reduced evenly instead of packing into one corner. A magnet in the lid holds both halves in place, which matters when the grinder travels loose in a pocket or a bag. The outer edge is ridged, giving you enough grip to twist even with dry hands.
Two parts or four?
A four-part grinder collects the fine pollen separately in a bottom chamber, but it is also taller, heavier and more expensive. A two-part model is flatter and lighter and has fewer components that can jam. For festivals, travelling or simply on the table at home that is usually all you need. If you do want to keep the pollen apart, choose a model with a screen instead.
Cleaning and upkeep
After a few sessions, residue builds up between the teeth. Brush it out with an old toothbrush or a small paintbrush and hold the grinder upside down so the crumbs fall free. If it starts turning stiffly, sticky material has usually collected on the rim of the chamber. Metal handles a proper clean without trouble, but let both halves dry completely before you put them back together.
Alongside the Amsterdam grinder, Avalon Magic Plants also stocks wooden grinders and four-part metal models, including ones from Black Leaf.
