A joint roller is a device that consistently rolls uniform joints. This guide will help you understand what a joint roller is, how it works, and its benefits.
What is a joint roller?
A joint roller is a simple mechanical device used to make rolling joints much more efficient, regardless of skill level. While joints are a very popular choice for consuming cannabis, rolling them can be a tedious and time-consuming task for novices and seasoned cannabis lovers alike. Not everyone can roll a perfect pinner or crank out a carton of joints at once, so this device helps produce store-quality joints. It can also be a lifesaver if you’re in a time crunch. In this guide, you will learn what a joint roller is, how it works, and the advantages of using one.
Types of joint rollers
At their most basic level, all joint rolling machines roll herbs into a tube or cigarette shape to create a consistent and even joint. While the classic thumb roller, a manual rolling machine, is the most common and affordable type of device, there are several other varieties of rolling machine such as injectors, cone fillers, and electric rollers. Ultimately, these varieties employ slightly different methods to reach the same end: rolling the perfect joint.
How to use a joint roller
Joint rollers are available in thumb-powered manual models and electric models with a small motor to turn the rollers. There are also different sizes for joints from small to jumbo, and most are inexpensive. Whichever you choose, just make sure you buy appropriately sized rolling papers. (Some people think the joint roller category includes injectors, which push cannabis or tobacco into empty cigarette tubes, and cone fillers, which do the same with empty cones, but we’ve left them off this list since they aren’t really rollers.)
Regardless of the type of roller, there are a few things you’ll need to start:
· Joint roller
· Cannabis or herb of choice
· Grinder
· Filter or crutch
· Rolling paper
· Rolling tray (optional)
Time needed: 5 minutes.
If you’ve never done this before or seen a joint roller in action, read through the manual or instructions and look over the device before you get started. Once you’ve gathered all the supplies, clear your work station and set up the machine on your rolling tray or anywhere that can get messy, and begin rolling:
- Grind the cannabis
Grind about 0.5 to 1.5 grams of cannabis.
- Fill the rolling machine
Fill the rolling machine with your ground weed. Be careful not to overfill, and leave some space on one side for the filter.
- Add the filter
Lay the filter next to the cannabis on the end where you left room for it.
- Prep the rolling machine
Remove any big stems or weed that has strayed outside the roller area.
- Close the rollers
Close the rollers and gently roll the herb into the machine while leaving the rollers closed, keeping the material in a tube shape.
- Insert the paper into the roller
Once your material is rolled, grab your paper and check which side has the adhesive. Insert the opposite side of the paper into the roller with the adhesive side up and facing you.
- Roll the joint
Slowly start rolling the paper into the roller and once it’s almost all the way in, lick the glue, and finish rolling it up.
Just like when you roll a joint by hand, it’s important to pack the herb tight but not too tight. And have patience with yourself since it will probably take a little practice to know exactly how much material to use and how to work the roller.
Pros of a joint roller
Joint rollers are a handy tool because they produce dependable results, simplify the rolling process, and make clean-up easier. Manual joint rollers are especially useful because they’re relatively cheap and easy to find, which makes them more cost-effective in the long run than pre-rolled cigarette packs or joints at a retailer. They also help avoid waste by producing reliably sized and shaped joints that burn more evenly and mitigate issues like canoeing. Joint rolling machines also allow you to take control of what goes into your joints. Whether it’s a spliff or joint, a rolling machine will let you roll quicker and produce consistently pro-looking results.
Cons of a joint roller
There aren’t many drawbacks to a tool that makes it easier to roll a joint, but a few factors to take note of when looking for rollers are the quality and size, among other things. It’s especially important to purchase a decent quality roller in order to produce decent joints.
Regardless of quality, one significant drawback is that rolling machines can only roll joints with papers that match the size of the machine you’re using. This means having the right sized papers on hand for your machine is key. This also means that the size of joint you can roll is largely dependent on the device, whereas hand-rolling can produce joints that vary widely in size.
The bottom line
The bottom line is that joint rollers are an effective way to roll pristine joints with ease and minimal mess. They can be found at most retailers and usually won’t cost you all that much. There’s a wide variety of devices to choose from and each style has certain benefits to enjoy. While hand rolling is arguably more common, the joint rollers’ ability to make the perfect roll, along with a host of other benefits, make them a good investment for anyone from beginners to joint aficionados.
