Hand-rolling cigarettes has become a practice that has been a time-honored skill and smokers enthusiastically roll their own cigarettes as it saves cost and some people find it more comfortable to make their own rolled cigarettes. Pre-rolled cigarettes are seen by many as a convenient option but they have their downsides as they are not made to suit specific smokers and the quality of rolling can vary. Learning how to roll cigarettes is a useful skill for smokers and can be convenient to learn.
A thing that makes hand rolling cigarettes preferable is that it is cheaper to roll cigarettes than rather than buy pre-rolled ones. Purchasing tobacco and rolling papers on the whole costs less than directly buying manufactured cigarettes and this cost difference becomes much more significant if the cigarette brand is premium or imported.
Hand-rolling allows the user to control the smoking flavor of the cigarette. Although flavor is dependant on the tobacco powder, the type of rolling paper anf filters also play a role. Some papers and filters deliver a more intense flavor and deliver allow burning of greater amount of tobacco for a stronger more stimulating puff while other types of paper burn at a slower rate and hence the result is a milder smoking taste.
Hand-rolling is a great strategy to save money, but that is not all for smokers. Many smokers enjoy smoking and like personalizing their smoking sessions. Manually rolling the cigarette makes the smoking session much more enjoyable as the smoker gets to smell the addictive aroma of high-quality tobacco; they get to feel the rolling paper, all of which adds to the anticipation of smoking once the cigarette is rolled up. The whole effort of rolling up the cigarette makes smoking feel much more rewarding.
Rolling a cigarette flawlessly requires that the person uses quality materials and tools.
There are many types of rolling papers in the market, such as
Flavored papers: These papers emit a flavor when they burn, which adds a new aspect to smoking. Some common flavors are fruity, vanilla, and coffee.
Unbleached papers: For smokers who care about the environment, chemical-free papers are available that do not pollute the surroundings as much.
Hemp papers: this paper variety is made from sustainable hemp which burns without fumes and also has a slow burn.
An important component of a cigarette is the filter. The filter filters out the tobacco particles from going into the throat. They also make it easier to take a puff by putting minimal effort into drawing the smoke. Cigarette smoke is also more refined and contains less particles.
Although dedicated smokers prefer to roll manually, cigarette rolling machines are also a great choice for beginners who prefer accuracy in rolling.
Manual Rolling Machines: These machine types are favorite of smokers who want to be more involved in the rolling process but also like the rolling to be uniformly accurate.
Electric Rolling Machine: These machines compleltely automate the process of rolling and make rolling error-free and efficient so that it can be done in an instant.
For providing an even burn the tobacco powder must be of small fine particles. Fine tobacco also makes the rolling process easier. Hence a grinder is used to crush the tobacco in a fine powder and is an important tool that every hand roller should buy.
If you are a beginner than rolling cigarettes may appear difficult since it involves a degree of hand coordination. But as you become accustomed the rolling process starts to feel natural.
To ensure that you rolling is done perfectly the desk or table where you will be rolling should be clean and free from dust. Make sure that the place is well-lit. To keep everything organized and within reach it is better to buy a rolling tray or any simple tray.
There are an array of tobacco blends each of which offer a unique flavor and intensity. Choosing the blend depends entirely on personal choice. Dark colored tobacco has a bolder stronger flavor while light shades taste milder and have less stimulant. A mixture of light and dark tobacco can also be made.
• A small quantity of tobacco is placed on the paper.
• Gently roll the paper with your fingers until the paper takes the familiar cylindrical shape.
• Lick in the paper edge under the roll and lick the adhesive strip to seal it.
• Secure the tobacco by twisting the ends of the paper.
• Open the machine and place a filter on one end
• The tobacco should be spread evenly in the machine slot. Take care not to overfill
• Close the machine and roll handles to press the tobacco.
• Then, insert rolling paper. The sticky side should face you, and roll the handles a second time.
Really dry tobacco powder proves to be difficult to roll. On the other hand wet tobacco does not burn easily. To ensure that the tobacco is in an adequate condition it should be stored properly in an airtight container.
Filling the powder to full capacity or using too much tobacco in a cigarette means that drawing smoke will take a lot of effort. Underfilling in contrast results in the cigarette to not burn smoothly. Using the right amount only comes with practice.
The pressure exerted during rolling should be uniform so that the tobacco is tightly packed. Uneven pressure results in lumps and gaps, which means that the cigarette does not burn smoothly, resulting in an unsatisfactory smoking experience.
Hand-rolling cigarettes is both an art and science which gives a kind and satisfying experience. If one masters the skill, has invested in the right equipment and takes keen interest in details, one can create cigarettes that suit one’s preferences and pocket. For the professional or beginner, the process of mastering the art of rolling a cigarette is all part of the fun. So get your supplies, get your groove, and get your roll on for the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
