Ganja Guides

How to Prevent Your Blunt from Canoeing 

man with hoodie smoking a canoeing blunt

Anyone who has prepared a perfectly rolled blunt understands the simmering frustration when it begins to “canoe” —causing one side to burn faster than the other. After years of smoking and rolling though, I can confidently say that a smoother, more consistent burn is possible every time with the right technique. We’ll outline why blunt canoeing happens and how to prevent it for a peaceful smoke sesh. 

Photo: Blind Rhino Media

Perfect the Roll 

Without a doubt, the most important part in preventing your blunt from canoeing is getting the roll right

Smooth Grind

It all begins with smoothly ground up herb. That’s because large chunks or stems can disrupt the airflow, causing one side to burn faster than the other. First, make sure to remove any stems and seeds from your bud. Then use an herb grinder to achieve an even, consistent texture. 

Check for Evenness 

As you roll, gently squeeze the blunt with your fingers to check for unevenness including bulging or hollow spots. If one side feels thicker or tighter, you can redistribute the herb before sealing it. This will ensure that it is distributed evenly throughout the wrap. If it still appears bumpy or lopsided, you can always reroll. 

Striking a Balance for Optimal Airflow

If the blunt is packed too tight, air won’t flow evenly. This can cause an inconsistent burn, canoeing faster on one side than the other. If it’s packed loosely, it will burn too quickly, again resulting in an uneven burn.

Ideally, we want to strike a balance—firm enough so the blunt holds its shape, but not so tight that you’re having to compensate by inhaling stronger. When you light it, air should pass through effortlessly. 

Moisture 

It might come as a surprise, but the moisture level of your herb is equally crucial to prevent a blunt from canoeing. Too dry and the weed burns too fast and unevenly–like a wildfire sweeping through dry forest underbrush. What’s more, it may also lose some of its aroma, flavor and potency. Too moist and it doesn’t burn at all, or burns slowly and inconsistently. 

In both cases, it can produce a harsh smoke which leaves a lot to be desired. Ideally, if your cannabis is cured properly it should be fluffy but firm and sticky to the touch but not overly mushy. 

Slower, Gentler Puffs

How you smoke the blunt matters more than you might imagine. For instance, one smoker posted the following comment to the Reddit r/trees forum: “Blunt only runs when my husband hits it.” Her frustration is palpable in her choice of words: “destroys” and “irreparable”. Since it only happens when he smokes, the consensus among Reddit users is that he is inhaling too hard. If the other factors have been accounted for, this is spot on. 

Strong pulls can cause one side to burn faster due to rapid, uncontrolled airflow. On the other hand, a gentle consistent draw helps the blunt burn evenly. If you notice one side starting to burn faster though, don’t panic—just rotate it slightly to let the other side catch up. And remember, smooth and steady may save your dutch—-perhaps even your relationship.

Rotate While Lighting

Another Reddit user commented that even the way you light a blunt can affect how it burns. He recommended rotating the blunt while lighting. Gently rotating the tip within the flame of the angled lighter indeed helps it burn more evenly. 

Blunt Wrap Quality

Even the quality of the wraps could be having an impact. For instance, if your wraps are too dry or too moist, it could burn unevenly, causing your blunt to canoe. So be sure to keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. 

Your Environment

While it may be the last thing that comes to mind, your environment will also impact how your blunt burns. For instance, smoking outside in the wind can make one side burn faster, while indoor humidity can cause it to burn unevenly. 

Why Do Blunts Canoe Recap 

Surprisingly, blunts canoe for a gamut of reasons, some more obvious than others. For instance, if the dutch is rolled too tight or loose, the herb is too dry or too moist, the pull is too strong or if it’s lit unevenly. Even the quality of your ground herb, the blunt wraps and environment can impact your smoke.

How to Stop Blunt from Canoeing: Our Top 3 Insights

A canoeing blunt can be disheartening. It’s more complex than meets the eye with multiple factors at play. 

  1. First, it begins with getting our materials in order. Store your herb and blunts wraps in a dry, cool place to ensure ideal moisture levels
  2. Second, improve your rolling technique so that your blunt is neither loose nor tight but just right. 
  3. Lastly, master your smoking technique with gentler puffs and rotating the blunt while lighting to produce an even burn. 

With all this considered, you’re well on your way to enjoying a blunt as the green goddess intended. 

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About Liz

Liz is the Cofounder and Editor-in-Chief of Stoners Rotation.