We’ve all been there, but don’t worry because we’re here to help show how to light a joint the right way so this happens less often and you don’t end up hitting or passing a joint that is “canoeing”.
Keep reading to find out how to light a joint properly.
How to light a joint properly
When it comes to lighting a joint, there is definitely a right way and a wrong way to do it. The wrong way, which you’ll see happen more often than you’d think, is to put the joint between your lips and inhale as you light it up.
This can result in all sorts of problems, from setting your eyebrows on fire to an uneven burn. Not only is this way of lighting a joint inefficient, but it can also be quite unpleasant.
The right way to light a joint is the following:
- Hold the roach (or filter) end of the joint between your thumb and index finger at a slight angle.
- Spark up your lighter and slowly bring the flame towards the end of the joint.
- If your joint has a bit of twisted paper at the end, burn that away first before moving the flame closer.
- Roll the joint around, back and forth, between your thumb and finger, so that the flame connects with all sides of the joint as it lights.
- Take a couple of very small puffs to get your joint going slowly and smoothly (don’t inhale at this point as it’s probably all paper anyway).
- Check to make sure that the joint is lit on all sides properly and is burning evenly. If it’s not, then apply the flame again to areas that aren’t burning so well.
- Only once the joint is properly lit, bring it to your lips and take slow, gentle puffs at first to ensure the burn stays even.
This method of lighting a joint may take a little longer, but I promise it will produce a much smoother and more even smoke!
Tips for an evenly smoking joint
In order for your joint to light and smoke perfectly, you also need to make sure you roll it properly in the first place and keep an eye on it while it’s smoking, fixing any problems as soon as they show themselves.
Gather the proper supplies
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all the supplies you need. This includes weed, a big grinder, rolling tray, and a light source. Joints can be rolled with just about anything—a dollar bill, business card, or even your bare hands—but we recommend using a rolling tray and grinder for the best results.
Grind the weed properly
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to start grinding up your weed. Again, a grinder is not strictly necessary, but it will make the process a lot easier and give you a more even burn. When you’ve got your ground-up weed, it’s time to start rolling your joint.
Examine the joint
Once your joint is rolled, it’s time to light it up! But before you do, take a look at the joint and make sure that it’s rolled evenly. It should be firmly and evenly packed all the way from one end to the other.
Fix the joint
I’d love to pretend that my joints come out perfect every time, but that’s just not true for the vast majority of people, myself included. Therefore, a short period of fixing is usually involved after rolling to ensure an even smoke.
Hold the joint loosely in your fingers and give it a few firm taps on a hard surface (by the roach end) to help pack the flower down into the joint more firmly. You can also use a pokey tool to help push the flower down the joint if needed, but be careful not to make it too tight as it won’t smoke.
One of my friends always made his joints too tight at college and we used to joke about them being like McDonalds milkshakes (you should never have to suck on a joint this hard!).
Inhale properly
When you inhale, remember to take short puffs so you don’t end up taking in too much smoke at once. Smoking the joint too quickly can make it very hot and this can also make you cough and might even make you dizzy or lightheaded.
Rotate the joint and adjust the uneven spots
Keep an eye on the joint as you’re smoking it and occasionally rotate it so that all parts of the joint get smoked evenly. This will help prevent those pesky uneven burns.
If you find that your joint is starting to burn unevenly despite your best efforts, blow on the slow-burning side or use a poker to even things out.
Enjoy!
When you’re finished smoking, be sure to dispose of the roach in a safe and appropriate manner. We recommend an ashtray or another safe receptacle.
Smoking a joint doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying an evenly burning joint in no time!
Blunts and bowls
Once you’ve mastered rolling, lighting, and smoking a joint, how about blunts and bowls? Here are some simple tips to help you look more professional when dealing with blunts and bowls.
How to roll and light a blunt
Most people know how to roll a joint, but there are a few simple tips that can help you roll and light a blunt that is less prone to side burning.
- Use a rolling tray as this will help keep your weed from going everywhere, sticking to your fingers and making a mess.
- Always use a grinder as this will create an even consistency that will make it easier to roll your blunt and avoid runs.
- Invest in high quality rolling papers (aka wraps) that are made specially for blunt rolling and can support a large amount of cannabis. Usually hemp rolling papers or hemp wraps can help.
- Finally, when lighting your blunt, be sure to use a slow and steady approach. This will help prevent canoeing and ensure that you enjoy every last puff.
How to hold a blunt
A lot of people ask us how to hold a blunt because they’re so much larger than joints, making them much more difficult and heavy to handle.
If the blunt doesn’t sit between your index and middle fingers comfortably, then hold it in between your thumb and index finger instead. Flicking the ash from this position will feel a bit weird at first, but as with anything in life, you’ll get used to it with practice!
Although blunts are fun, many smokers, especially new smokers, underestimate the size of a blunt relative to a joint. So, the best advice we have here is to slow down, take your time, and enjoy the experience.
How to light a bowl (pipe)
First stop, learn how to pack a bowl here. If you’re new to smoking weed, you might also be wondering how to light a bowl the right way. Lighting a bowl properly, observing common bowl sharing etiquette is especially important when you’re smoking with others.
The first step is to find a good lighter. Any kind of lighter will work, but it’s best to use one that is specifically designed for smoking and that has a decent sized flame.
Once you have your lighter, hold the bowl between your thumb and index finger. Spark up the lighter and bring the flame down on top of the bowl. However, if you’re sharing a bowl then you should learn how to corner your bowl.
Cornering
Cornering involves lighting just a small section of the flower, so that when you pass it to the next person, there is still fresh green flower visible on the top of the bowl.
You can still get a really decent hit by doing this as the flower will still burn down the bowl, but it’s much nicer to give someone a “fresh” hit of a different corner than an ashy-looking mess.
It is important when lighting a bowl to also choose the best quality bowl. The difference between a low end smoking bowl and a high quality bowl can make a significant difference in the bowl smoking experience.
How to light a bong
Smoking out of a bong is one of the most popular ways to consume weed. Bongs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all work in basically the same way. Once your bowl is perfectly packed (see how to pack a bowl here), place your mouth on/inside the mouthpiece and then light the bowl as above, inhaling slowly while you do so.
The water in the bong will filter the smoke as it pulls through, making it easier and smoother on your lungs when you inhale.
Do you have any other tips you can share with people? What is your favorite method to light a joint, blunt, bowl, or bong? Let us know in the comments below!
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