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How to Use Hemp Wick: Step-by-Step Guide

April 11, 2024 08:00 am ET Estimated Read Time: 9 Minutes

Fact checked by Kymberly Drapcho

How to Use Hemp Wick: Step-by-Step Guide

Hemp wick offers a cleaner, more natural way to light your cannabis compared to traditional butane lighters. This simple tool, made from hemp fibers coated in beeswax, burns at a lower temperature and produces no chemical taste, giving you a purer smoking experience.

The beeswax coating allows the wick to burn slowly and steadily, creating a flame that’s cooler than what you get from a standard lighter. This lower temperature helps preserve the delicate terpenes in your cannabis that contribute to flavor and effects.

You can find hemp wick sold as balls of twine, small bundles, or even pre-cut lengths. The thickness varies, but most hemp wick designed for smoking is thin enough to light easily while thick enough to burn for several minutes at a time.

How To Use Hemp Wick

Using hemp wick is straightforward once you understand the basic technique. The process involves preparing the wick, lighting it, and using the flame to ignite your cannabis.

Unravel a strand

Pull about 3-4 inches of hemp wick from your supply. This length gives you enough to work with while keeping the flame at a safe distance from your fingers. If you’re using a tightly wound ball of hemp wick, gently separate the fibers to find the loose end.

Wrap the hemp wick around your lighter

Wind the hemp wick around your lighter several times, leaving that 3-4 inch length free. This keeps your supply organized and makes the wick easy to access. Some people prefer to wrap it around the base of the lighter, while others wind it higher up the body.

Light the tip

Use your lighter to ignite the free end of the hemp wick. The beeswax coating will catch quickly and burn with a steady flame. Hold the lighter flame to the tip for just a second or two until the hemp wick is burning on its own.

Light your cannabis

Bring the burning hemp wick to your bowl, joint, or pipe and use it to light your cannabis. The flame burns cooler than a lighter, so you may need to hold it against your material for a moment longer than you would with a butane flame. This gentler heat helps preserve the flavor compounds in your cannabis.

Extinguish the wick

Once your cannabis is lit, blow out the hemp wick flame or press it against a heat-safe surface to snuff it out. You can relight the same piece of wick multiple times until it burns down too short to use safely.

Hemp Wick Storage and Longevity

Hemp wick degrades when exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures. Storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight extends its usable life considerably.

Store your hemp wick in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A drawer, cabinet, or storage container works well. Avoid leaving it in hot cars or humid areas like bathrooms, as moisture can make the wick difficult to light and cause the beeswax coating to become sticky or separate from the hemp fibers.

Most hemp wick maintains its quality for months or even years when stored properly. Signs that your hemp wick has degraded include a musty smell, visible mold, or beeswax that flakes off easily. Fresh hemp wick should have a clean, slightly sweet smell from the beeswax and light easily with a consistent flame.

In terms of burn time, expect about 2-3 minutes of burn time per foot of hemp wick, depending on thickness. A standard ball of hemp wick contains roughly 10-20 feet, giving you dozens of lighting sessions. When you compare this to the cost of disposable lighters, hemp wick often provides better value, especially for frequent cannabis users. A single ball of hemp wick typically costs $3-5 and can replace multiple lighters over its lifetime.

Hemp Wick vs Lighters: Health and Environmental Benefits

The primary advantage of hemp wick over traditional butane lighters lies in what you’re not inhaling. Every time you use a lighter to ignite cannabis, you potentially inhale small amounts of butane gas along with your smoke. Hemp wick eliminates this concern entirely.

Health Benefits

Butane lighters produce a flame that contains traces of unburned fuel, carbon monoxide, and other combustion byproducts. While the amounts are small, frequent users may prefer to avoid these chemicals entirely. Hemp wick burns cleanly, producing only carbon dioxide and water vapor as byproducts of combustion.

The lower flame temperature of hemp wick also means less risk of overheating your cannabis. High heat can destroy terpenes and create harsh smoke, while the gentler flame from hemp wick helps preserve these compounds. Many users report a cleaner taste and smoother smoke when using hemp wick compared to butane lighters.

Environmental Impact

Hemp wick offers clear environmental advantages over disposable lighters. A single ball of hemp wick can replace dozens of plastic lighters that would otherwise end up in landfills. Hemp is a renewable crop that grows quickly without pesticides, and beeswax is a natural, biodegradable coating.

Butane lighters contribute to plastic waste and require petroleum-based fuel. Even refillable lighters eventually break and need replacement. Hemp wick, by contrast, is completely biodegradable and leaves no plastic waste behind.

Cost Comparison

Over time, hemp wick typically costs less than buying disposable lighters. A ball of hemp wick provides the equivalent lighting power of 5-10 disposable lighters at roughly half the cost. For heavy cannabis users who go through lighters frequently, the savings add up quickly.

The main trade-off is convenience. You still need a lighter to ignite the hemp wick initially, and the process takes slightly longer than direct lighting. However, many users find the improved taste and reduced chemical exposure worth the extra step.

Troubleshooting Common Hemp Wick Issues

Even experienced hemp wick users occasionally run into problems with lighting, burning, or handling their wick. Most issues have simple solutions once you understand what causes them.

Wick extinguishing too quickly: If your hemp wick keeps going out, the problem is usually insufficient beeswax coating or moisture exposure. Try a different section of wick, as some areas may have less wax coating than others. Store your wick in a drier location and avoid handling it with wet hands.

Difficulty lighting: Hemp wick that won’t catch flame easily has often absorbed moisture or lost its beeswax coating. Hold your lighter flame to the tip for a few extra seconds, or try lighting a fresh section of wick. Very old hemp wick may need replacement if the beeswax has completely degraded.

Wick burning too fast or too slow: Burn rate depends on thickness and beeswax content. Thicker hemp wick burns longer but may be harder to light, while thinner wick lights easily but burns quickly. If your wick burns too fast, try holding it at a slight angle so less surface area is exposed to air. If it burns too slowly, check that you’re getting adequate airflow around the flame.

Wrapping techniques for different lighters: Standard disposable lighters work best with 8-10 wraps of medium-thickness hemp wick around the base. For slim lighters, use thinner wick or fewer wraps. Zippo-style lighters can accommodate thicker hemp wick wrapped around the metal case. Always leave 3-4 inches of free wick for safe handling.

Safety considerations: Never let hemp wick burn down closer than 2 inches to your fingers. Keep a heat-safe surface nearby to extinguish the wick quickly if needed. Don’t leave burning hemp wick unattended, and avoid using it near flammable materials. The flame is real fire and requires the same precautions as any open flame.

Let There Be Light, Not Lighters

Making the switch from traditional lighters to hemp wick as a safer alternative represents a simple way to improve your cannabis experience while reducing your environmental impact. The cleaner burn, better flavor preservation, and elimination of butane exposure make hemp wick particularly appealing to cannabis users who prioritize purity and taste.

The learning curve is minimal. Most people master the basic technique after just a few uses. While hemp wick requires carrying an extra item and takes slightly longer than direct lighting, many users find these minor inconveniences far outweighed by the benefits. The improved taste alone convinces most people to stick with hemp wick once they try it.

For cannabis users interested in rolling paper alternatives or exploring different ways to smoke cannabis, hemp wick represents another tool for customizing your smoking experience. Whether you’re learning how to pack a bowl or smoking joints, hemp wick works with virtually any smoking method.

The combination of health benefits, environmental advantages, and cost savings makes hemp wick worth trying for any cannabis user. A single ball costs just a few dollars and provides enough material to determine whether the improved experience justifies making it part of your regular routine.

If you’re interested in exploring cannabis for medical purposes, you can find a doctor today to discuss whether medical cannabis might be right for your specific health needs.

Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.

Note: Veriheal does not support illegally consuming therapeutic substances such as cannabis but acknowledges that it transpires because of the current illicit status, which we strive to change by advocating for research, legal access, and responsible consumption. Always consult a physician before attempting alternative therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hemp wick change the taste of cannabis?

Hemp wick typically improves the taste by eliminating the butane flavor that lighters can add. The beeswax coating burns cleanly and doesn’t interfere with cannabis terpenes.

How long does a ball of hemp wick last?

A standard ball contains 10-20 feet of wick and provides dozens of lighting sessions. Most users find it lasts 2-3 months with regular use.

Is hemp wick safer than lighters?

Hemp wick eliminates butane exposure but still involves an open flame that requires proper handling. The main safety advantage is avoiding chemical inhalation rather than eliminating fire risk.

Can you relight the same piece of hemp wick?

Yes, you can extinguish and relight the same section of hemp wick multiple times until it burns down too short to handle safely.

Does hemp wick work with all smoking methods?

Hemp wick works well with pipes, bowls, joints, and most smoking accessories. The main limitation is situations where you need a very precise or directional flame.

Author, Share & Comments

Sheldon Sommer is a Southern Californian philosopher with a lifelong interest in the biological world. She is enthusiastic to contribute her fascination with philosophy, natural history, psychology, botany, biochemistry and other related topics to providing cannabis education for the similarly curious. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting, singing opera and Taylor Swift songs, as well as spending quality time with a certain beloved orange kitty cat.