no DO NOT grind it up....if you grind it up you're gonna cash half the bowl in one hit...granted it may be a stronger hit, but it is still extremely wasteful.....but you don't stick a whole bud in there either.....there should be about maybe 5 or 6 diffrent lil buds in the bowl.....for me that's the optimal bowl.....nice even hits and it lasts for a good while....15 hits max....