Smoking Gear Every Stoner Should Have
- 1. Grinders
- 1. a. Size does matter
- 1. b. Number of pieces
- 1. c. Weight
- 1. d. Material
- 2. Rolling papers and filters
- 3. Pipes
- 4. Rolling tray
- 5. Scale
- 6. Roach holder
- 7. Bong
- 8. Stash box
- 9. The kit
- 10. A vape or two
- 10. a. The dry herb vaporizers
- 10. b. The wax/concentrate vaporizers
- 10. c. The table top vapes
- 11. Ash tray
- 12. In conclusion
Have you just joined the stoners' world? Congratulations and welcome to a whole new lifestyle! It's time to start gathering some smoking gear that every stoner should have at home to make this journey double fun. The most common smoking accessories you’ll find at any stoner’s home are:
- Grinders
- Rolling papers
- Pipes
- Bongs
- Stash Boxes
- Ashtrays
Joints don’t materialize out of anywhere. Bong bowls don’t pack themselves. Weed rarely arrives pre-ground. When entering the world of weed, there are many tools and devices you can purchase to make the process of smoking the herb as easy as possible. You see, cannabis users rarely view the rolling of joints or the loading of pipe bowls as a chore. In fact, many herbal enthusiasts regard the process as a ritual—an occasion that bears almost as much significance as the act of smoking itself. As you become more accustomed to cannabis, this will all make sense. The act of sitting around a coffee table, in the company of good friends, makes the procedure of preparing to smoke almost as enjoyable as what comes after the flick of a lighter.
As you start your smoking journey, you’ll likely settle for any old piece of paraphernalia that gets the job done. However, you’ll quickly start to recognize the gear that works best for you. You’ll settle on your favorite lighter, on papers that taste the best and make rolling effortless, and on rolling trays that help you to keep all of your belongings contained and arranged. So, let us help guide you in the right direction. Below, you’ll discover key pieces of gear that you’ll need for a successful smoking session. Gather all of these items, and you’ll quickly become the most efficient—and possibly most popular—smoker sitting around the coffee table.
1. Grinders
The first thing you’ll need to do for most of the smoking methods is to grind your weed. Think of the grinder you pull out when you’re going to roll a joint with someone as the car you’d like to pick up a girl in on a date. If you have a good quality grinder then people will know you're a weed affectionate. Some people would argue that they can grind their marijuana with their bare hands, criminals! Absolutely don’t do this as when you grind with your hands you're actually ruining your buds by crushing the trichomes, which contain most of the THC.
Some cannabis users also claim that scissors produce the same result as a grinder. This is also untrue. Sure, you can spend time trying to thinly chop your bud, but you simply won’t achieve the level of uniformity that a grinder provides in a fraction of the time. Overall, grinders reduce thick and resinous cannabis colas into a malleable and workable powder that makes rolling joints and blunts a streamlined process. If you’ve ever ground marihuana with your hands, remember how sticky your hands were? This is why.
So, what exactly makes a grinder a good grinder? There are a few aspects to consider.
- Size
- Number of floors
- Weight
- Build/Material
Let us explain why these aspects are so important.
Size Does Matter
The size of your grinder actually matters, although bigger is not necessarily better in this case. Think about what uses you're going to give to your grinder when considering the size. Grinder sizes can go all the way from mini to extra-large and even extra-extra-large. If you're going to purchase a grinder to use at home, then you can go for any grinder size you’d like, and bigger grinders are quite more comfortable to use. However, these big grinders are not so portable-friendly given they tend to be pretty heavy.
If you're looking for a grinder to take with you in your bag everywhere then definitely aim at medium or small grinders unless you want to turn every day into arm day by carrying around a half-kilo grinder. Anyway, the weight of your grinder also depends on the material your grinder is made of.
For optimal outcomes, you should consider grabbing a couple of different grinders that fulfill different functions. For example, a small and sturdy grinder (preferably made of metal) serves as the perfect companion when grinding on the go. It’ll fit perfectly into a small pocket and double up as a place to store your weed. This device will easily grind enough to fill up an entire joint at the start of each session. Next, you should purchase a large and more substantial grinder for home use. Instead of putting your wrists to work before smoking each joint, simply use a larger and less portable piece to grind up a session's worth of weed to minimize the work involved—your motivation to keep grinding will likely lessen the more stoned you become!
Number of pieces
The more pieces, the more features your grinder will have (and the heavier it will probably be). If you’d rather stick to a classic and easy grinder then we recommend going for a simple two-piece grinder, just for grinding. If you're an enthusiast, 3 or 4-floored grinders could be your best option. Three-piece grinders come with an extra compartment that catches the ground weed for easier use or one to gather kief and pollen.
| Type of grinder | Utilities |
|---|---|
| Two-piece grinders | Grinding |
| Three-piece grinders | Grinding, gathering grinded weed or kief and pollen |
| Four-piece grinders | Grinding, collecting grinded weed and gathering kief and pollen |
Four-piece grinders come with an extra-extra compartment to combine all the utilities mentioned before. Purchasing a grinder with a pollen catcher changes the game when it comes to smoking, at least for those that aren’t easily swayed by the impulse of instant gratification. Over time—typically a period of several weeks—all of the trichomes dislodged by the grinding process will fall through the thin mesh into the collection chamber below, forming a large snow-like mass of psychoactive goodness. Use a scraper to form a mound of crystals and sprinkle it into joints, blunts, or bong bowls for an experience that surpasses that of raw flowers alone.
Weight
As we mentioned before, you’ll need to think about the uses you’ll give your grinder, whether it’ll stay at home or you're taking it everywhere. This way you’ll know which grinder resembles your plans best and narrow the search on your purchase. On this point, it is also important to consider the material of your grinder.
Material
The material of your grinder is a crucial aspect to consider, weight and quality-wise. While plastic, acrylic, or wooden grinders might be cheaper they aren't as durable as good grinders. We recommend purchasing a high-grade aluminum or ABS plastic grinder which will probably last forever. If you’re going to take the grinder everywhere, go for a medium/small-sized grinder and perhaps one made of ABS plastic. If weight is not a problem then an aluminum grinder is the best option.
2. Rolling Papers and Filters
Before you think about purchasing any crazy smoking gadgets, you must go through the joint-rolling experience first. Every stoner will roll a joint at least a few hundred times in their lives, so make sure you get all the rolling essentials. In order to roll a joint, the first thing you’ll need to get is rolling papers. As surprising as it may sound, the quality of your rolling paper can have a major impact on your smoking experience. Bad rolling papers tend to negatively affect your joint's flavor so don't go cheap on this aspect.
In summary, the thinner the rolling paper the better. However, the thinner the paper also the harder it will be to roll, so make sure you master your rolling skills before you buy the thinnest paper you can find. We also recommend sticking to unbleached, organic rolling papers, you know, the ones that look brown.
This is because the usual bleached, white papers are the ones known for altering your weed's flavor and they’re full of chemicals, which no one likes so much. Heading for rolling papers specifically made for smoking weed is the safest move. If you're looking for a strong-flavored strain then Gorilla Cookies is your soulmate strain. This powerful hybrid is a combination of our top autoflowering strains can reach up to 27% of THC.
When it comes to size, all that matters is how much you want to smoke. Go crazy on special occasions and build a 12-inch joint to challenge yourself and friends. Or you can purchase rolling paper rolls for personalized papers sizes to go as big as you wish. There are also flavored rolling papers, both normal and blunts, which are always fun to try.
Lastly, buying a block of filters for rolling joints is useful although optional since it's not completely necessary. Yes, they can come handy but anyways, any type of thick paper or thin cardboard will do the job. You can simply tear off a piece of the rolling paper’s box lid.
3. Pipes
These guys will have your back every time you run out of rolling papers or you're on a rush. The best part: they can be small and very portable. When it comes to pipes, they come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Initially, metal pipes are the most common and efficient. If you're more of a rustic person, perhaps wooden pipes are your thing.
However, no one can deny that glass pipes are the coolest pipes in stores but these gems are quite fragile so its best if you don't lend your glass pipe to your butterfingered friends.
"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest." -Charles Lamb
It’s a good idea to get yourself a pipe cleaner as well since these things can get dirty and smelly over time. While you're at it, get some pipe screens too to avoid inhaling any weed particles as you smoke.
4. Rolling Tray
This isn't an absolutely necessary object but it makes the rolling process look a lot fancier. Sitting down, pulling out your rolling tray, and setting your tools on the desk feels almost as if you were a businessman opening your suitcase to get some business done.
Besides having a rolling tray will help to gather all the small crumbs that fall around during the rolling process.
5. Scale
Scales are useful tools to keep in hand, whether it is to calculate the amount of weed you got out of your home harvest or to check that your dealer isn't ripping you off. Make sure that the scale you purchase is set in the same weighting currency you normally use and that it has a millimetric functionality.
6. Roach Holder
If you're the no-filter type of smoker then you definitely need to get yourself a roach killer. With these, you'll be sure that you smoke every last bit of your joint until it's almost disappeared. Not only this, roach holders are your eyelashes and fingers’ best friends, say goodbye to burnt lashes and fingers once you start using these simple objects.
7. Bong
The first time you try a bong you’ll understand why you must have a bong. Or perhaps just make your own homemade bong. It feels like you're an astronaut.
"Sometimes I wish that I was a bong hit, you'd let me in and you would love every minute." -John Mayer
Just like with pipes, the only necessary criteria for purchasing a bong is your personal taste. These epic smoking devices come in crazy colors and shapes and they will create beautiful memories so pick a bong that makes your heart feel warm.
8. Stash Box
Purchasing stash boxes can be dangerously addictive. Basically, the stash box is where you’ll store your weed to prevent it from going bad due to bad storage conditions and other etceteras. Our favorite type of stash box is tin candy boxes, such as the classic Altoids mints box. However, these cans aren't really smell-proof or airtight, so you’ll probably carry a green perfume around on you, but cannabis perfume doesn't sound bad at all anyway.
If you want to go for something more professional then getting a stash box made specifically for weed is the best option. These come in different materials, from wood to metal and everything in between, and they are airtight and smell-proof as well, perfect for those who still need to hide the fact that they smoke cannabis, tough life man. You could also just take any empty glass jars you find at home, these are perfect for storing your weed.
9. The Kit
Carrying all of your essential rolling accessories in a kit is the easiest way to keep yourself from losing your favorite gadgets, not that we're saying stoners keep losing things. We recommend a simple big box for the accessories you keep at home and a smaller, portable case for carrying around a lightweight pipe, rolling papers, filters, and a grinder.
In order of importance, a stoner's kit should never miss:
- Lighter
- Rolling papers
- Grinder
- Poking object
- Filters
Once you start getting the hang of having a kit, it'll probably grow to you. Most of the time, the kit becomes as important as a wallet for many stoners, and losing it would be the worst nightmare. Choose a nice case that suits your personal taste and store your favorite stoner gadgets inside!
10. A Vape or Two
Vaporizers. One of the more recent additions to the wonderful world of weed, and more than just a worthy side note to this post. Like many aspects of stoner culture, vapes have gone through a true renaissance period in the last decade or so. And with seemingly endless options hitting the market yearly, this push towards the smokeless inhalation market appears to have only just begun.
The concentrate and extract market is the main driver behind this vape revolution. Only a few short years back, extracts and the like took up just a small chunk of the “stoner” industry. But now, with the rise of more advanced technology and a greater interest in creating unique cannabis experiences, concentrates are in high demand. Some studies predict that the wax, dab, and shatter market could reach the lofty heights of almost 16 billion USD in the United States alone by 2030.
Whether you’re new to this world or a veteran dabber, having at least one quality vape on hand is essential for any modern stoner setup. Taking into account the sheer range of options available, it’s clear that there is something for everyone – from the reliable and basic to the more tech-savvy products. Let's quickly run through the more common types of weed vaporizers, and break down each one in easy-to-understand terms.
The Dry Herb Vaporizers
Once the most common type of ganja vape worldwide, the dry herb vaporizer, has now been overtaken by newer, shinier pieces. But that doesn't mean they aren't a valid, even great option for any upstanding stoner. They come in all shapes and sizes, but there is a definite divide between the worthy and the crap. So, what should you look for in a decent dry herb vape?
Temperature Control
You’ll want to make sure that the vaporizer has adjustable temperature settings, as this ensures you get the most out of the bud you pack inside. Different parts of the trichome (the crystals that contain all the goody goodness) vaporize at different temps, so having a variable temperature control is one of the first things you need to look for.
Battery Life
Depending on your usage and where you’re vaping, having a good battery life is essential. Most quality dry herb vapes will come with at least an hour’s worth of battery life, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Lithium-ion batteries are the best bet if you're looking for a dry herb vape that can last more than a day or two of usage.
Quality construction and materials
The heating element contained inside a vape reaches temps in excess of 200°C (392°F). Therefore, it’s essential that the device is built with heat-resistant materials – stainless steel and ceramic are the go-tos, but there are other options available. The body should be made of a durable material too, such as aluminum, and ideally have some kind of shock resistance.
The Wax/Concentrate Vaporizers
This type of vape has been around for a while, but really only came to true prominence in the last few years. Nowadays, there are pens and rigs designed specifically to deal with waxes and other concentrates, and just like the dry herb options, they come in a range of sizes and usage styles. The most popular, by a long stretch, are the extract vape pens. These come as either a reloadable cartridge with a separate battery or as an all-in-one unit that cannot usually be refilled. Again, look for the same features mentioned above in terms of construction and battery life, but with concentrate vapes, you’ll want to make sure that the atomizer (the part of the vape pen that heats up your concentrates) is made out of either quartz or ceramic.
These awesome little units pack a monster punch, with the extract or concentrates hitting THC levels of plus 95%. This is around three times as potent as the average strain of herb, so be sure to proceed with caution. It's best to start out with just one small puff and see where it takes you, seriously. If you have never vaped an extract, the potency can be surprising. Along with that, vaping takes a little longer to kick in than smoking a joint or spliff. So start off slow, and wait for a good 10 to 15 mins to see how it all settles in.
But, when you get these dialed in, they are downright amazing. Super discreet, tasty as day is long, and almost scientific in the amount of control you have over your high. When using an extract pen and getting to know how a certain brand works, you can get an exact dose of high every single time. This is increasingly important as medicinal marijuana use and micro-dosing become more popular.
The Table Top Vapes
Now, these bigger beasts do kind of cover the last two categories but do so in a beefed-up way. One of the very first cult-status vapes in the entire weed market was the 'Volcano', a tabletop dry herb option that still has legendary vibes to this day. It presents as a small, almost UFO-like unit with an opening at the top where you not only pack your ground-up bud (up to a full 2 grams for each pack) but then connect a ballon on top to catch all the vape itself. Once the machine is switched on, air starts to be drawn through the chamber and out of the balloon, filling it up with smooth, delicious vapor that you can then inhale. Now, remember what we said about being careful with the extract vapes? Well, the same goes right here!
This classic was followed up by many others, including the Plenty and the DaVinci IQ, both of which offer full temperature control and can double up as a dab rig if need be. There are also options to pick from that allow you to vape both wax and dry herb, like the Linx Blaze or the Arizer Air; however, these are mostly found to be a bit weaker in terms of performance, while costing just as much money if not more.
11. Ash Tray
Last but definitely not least, get yourself a fancy lord ashtray. No one likes the smell of ash neither ash stains so buy one or a few ashtrays and set them around your common smoking spots. Besides, throwing joint butts on the ground isn't very eco-friendly, time to change some habits.
12. In Conclusion
Who would have thought shopping for weed gadgets could be so much fun? The best part is there is a vast ocean of options to choose from, suitable for everyone’s personal taste. And the more you dive in, the more fun smoking experiences you’ll gather. What are you waiting for? Get curious!
Check out all the craziest options you see, why not get inspired by movies, cough-cough, anything starring James Franco and Seth Rogen.
