It really isn't a pain, I kind of enjoy the whole process. I've gone from smoking about a pack of cigs a day to only vaporizing weed and my body feels much cleaner and healthier. The technique I found that works the best is to put the flame deep in the hole and breath in a bit fast, if you breath too slow you'll get smoke. And yes I grind my bud up, I bought a nice grinder off ebay for only $20