How to build a smoking kit for under $50
If you’re new to cannabis, you might not know where to start when it comes to building your own smoking kit.
A quick Google search will bring up an endless sea of options and can feel overwhelming, but the truth is, it doesn’t take much to get started and it’s entirely possible to shop on a budget.
Below is everything you need to assemble your beginner smoking kit for under $50.
grind
mills
Expected spend: $9.99 – $12.99
The first thing you want to get your hands on is a solid grinder. A grinder is your best friend when it comes to breaking up the goo and making it suitable for rolling or packaging.
Sure, you can use your hands, but it’s never going to be that efficient, and — especially if you plan on rolling — you’ll need a grinder to help you do the job.
There are many different types on the market, made from all sorts of materials, from ordinary aluminum to the slightly harder zinc, to natural alternatives like wood, or eco-friendly options like hemp plastic.
Related
What is a cannabis grinder?
There are also medical steel grinders, but they’re more of an investment. Grinders come in 2 to 4 piece sizes with a kief catcher to catch the kief that falls off your bud as you grind. This can then later be used to sprinkle into special joints, bowls or even condense to smoke alone as a concentrate.
For a beginner and on a budget, go for something simple. Below are three solid options for a starter grinder in three different material options.
Santa Cruz Shredder – two-piece grinder made from eco-friendly, biodegradable hemp
This simple grinder will get the job done while being made from the cousin of the plant you’re smoking. Best of all, it’s biodegradable, meaning you can feel good about upgrading one day when the time comes.
BandQUS 4-piece metal grinder
This is your pretty standard grinder with the benefit of being a 4 piece grinder with a kief catcher. It’s a bit small at 1.5 inches, but it still does the job well, and it’s a fair size for a fair price.
Another benefit of this grinder is that it’s made out of zinc, which is a stronger material than the common and controversial aluminum found in most grinders.
BandQUS 4 Piece Large Rose Gold Grinder
If you find yourself grinding a lot of weed at once, this might be the grinder for you. It’s a few bucks more than the others on this list and not as compact for travel, but it’s sturdy, tall enough to hold large buds, and has a lovely rose gold color.
Once again it’s made of zinc, and it’s also a 4-piece piece so you can catch kief on the go.
Reasonable incense burners
Next on your journey to getting stoned is choosing your smoking vessel. Are you the type who likes to roll a joint, sit back and puff? Or do you prefer a bowl that you can pick up and put down at your own pace?
Well, if you’re new to this, you might have a penchant for joints, but worry about not being able to roll well enough – throw that out the window! Rolling is easier to learn than it looks and if you really don’t believe in yourself or just want an easier way, Kegels will do the trick.
Tips for finding the perfect pipe
- Look for glass bowls with good reviews and solid, thick glass. The last thing you want is thin glass overheating and breaking in the middle of the smoke.
- You should also look for appropriately sized mouthpieces and carbs so you get a piece that maximizes airflow and reduces clogging.
Craftsmanship vs. proven
The advantage of opting for a handmade glass piece is that there are no limits to the design and you are almost guaranteed to find something that suits your taste and personality.
You can find bowls that look like Spider-Man, fruit, mushrooms, glitter filled, glow in the dark and UV reactive to name a few. However, these bowls are subject to less consistency, so you also have the option of going with a trusted brand like GRAV – these aren’t particularly one-offs, but they’re reliable and guaranteed to hit well, which at the end of the day, is the target right?
When it comes to rolling papers, you have a few options there too. You can opt for RAW, the most popular brand, or other well-known brands like Elements, which are made from hemp paper to keep everything in the cannabis family.
There are also flavored rolling papers that can add a unique touch, but I recommend sticking to something simple and letting the cannabinoids in your herb shine.
Whether you want to roll or pack, below are some great personally curated options to get you started on budget.
Peel
Expected spend: $12.99 – $20.00
GRAV 4″ spoon
At 4 inches this is a fairly standard sized bowl and as it is from GRAV it will be well made and reliable. It comes in several great colors so you can easily find one that suits your aesthetic and is also easy to clean thanks to its simple design and transparent glass.
If you’re looking for something no-fuss to kick back and enjoy a hit alone or with a friend, this is it.
GlassGirlShop 4″ multicolored glass smoking pipe
Fancy something that will hypnotize your eyes while enjoying your favorite strain? These glass blown bowls feature a swirl of beautiful colors and are made from color changing glass. Yes, you heard that right – these whistles will gradually change color over time as you use them. Then when you clean them, they’ll go back to how they looked before!
The Galaxy Chillum
Chillums are ideal for personal use. You just grab the end and light it up while puffing on the other. If you don’t like bowls with carbohydrates, it could also be the right choice for you. This version features dichroic glass that sparkles like the night sky.
Related
The Leafly Buyer’s Guide to Weed Pipes
rolling papers
Expected spend: $1.89 – $3.99
RAW Classic 1 ¼” rolling papers
If you’re looking for the gold standard this is the one for you – 1¼” papers are for you. Practice makes perfect and these rolling papers make it easy to learn and roll with your eyes closed once you’re a pro.
King Size Blazy Susan pink cones
If you just want a perfect joint without the fuss (or maybe no saliva!), these pre-rolled cones with built-in filters are the perfect solution. These fit about a gram and a half of flower and all you have to do is grind it up, drop it in, wrap it up, twist the end and you’re good to go!
Elements 1 ¼” hemp rolling paper
What makes more sense to smoke cannabis than hemp? Elements is another great, well-known brand, and these rolling papers are made from hemp, making them an obvious choice for pairing with cannabis. You can’t go wrong with these papers.
Related
Everything you need to know about rolling papers explained
rolling trays
(Leaf)
Expected spend: $2.00 to $10.00
If you plan on rolling your own joints, you need a clean, stable surface to work on. Your coffee table might look inviting, but I promise your back won’t appreciate it for long.
You also don’t want to leave kief and sticky trichome residue on your furniture. Instead, get a nice little rolling tray and just consider it part of the process of rolling perfect joints.
Rolling tray under $5
Rolling tray under $10
The finishing touch
Now that you’ve sorted out the essentials for your smoking gear, don’t forget the little things you’ll also have on hand.
Fire
Any lighter will do. You can also opt for a hemp wick or an electric lighter if you want to avoid butane.
A picker packer poker – or at least just a poker.
While a toothpick can suffice, it’s best to have a tool handy specifically for this since you’ll be using it a lot. Luckily, there is a wide range of styles to choose from.
storage jar
However, displaying your stash in glass seems to be the preferred aesthetic choice You want to store your buds in a dark, airtight container to preserve their freshness. Light is not your weed’s friend. If you got it from a pharmacy, don’t be afraid to keep it in the container it came in – they’re usually made with freshness in mind.
However, if you still pack it, you should think about storage. No need to go crazy here, you can make one at home using any clean glass jar with an airtight lid and some dark non-toxic paint on the outside of the jar.
Ashtray
When it comes to ashing your pipe or joint, there’s plenty of room to get smart – many mason jars have suffered that fate.
However, if you keep an eye on it and use it regularly, it’s a good idea to go for an ashtray that’s a little more aesthetic, subtle, and preferably with a lid on it to keep ash and roaches out of sight and hopefully smell.
And that’s it! With these items in hand, your smoking kit is complete and you are ready to start smoking for less than $50. Have fun friends.
Rae Lland
Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland
Check out Rae Lland’s articles
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