Rolling papers are a cornerstone of marijuana culture. Not to mention, the act of rolling a joint has also become some kind of ritual and a rite of passage for stoners. But, what if you don’t have rolling papers on hand? Or, what if you just don’t like the idea of fussing with papers to enjoy a good smoke?

Don’t fret. There are several paper-free ways to blaze up your ganja and have a gratifying smoking session. Below, we’ve compiled some of the cleverest tips on how to smoke weed without papers.

The Best Ways to Smoke Weed Even Without Rolling Papers

If you want to smoke marijuana without rolling papers, you have two options. You could either invest in traditional smoking implements – or opt for the do-it-yourself route. The former is recommended if you’re committed to smoking pot, while the latter is a great choice if you’re in a pinch and desperately need a temporary smoking solution. Read on to find out which option is best for you.

I. Weed Smoking Paraphernalia

Rolling papers are not for everyone. Some people simply don’t like the hassle of having to pack and roll a stick. Meanwhile, others might be looking for a more cost-effective option. If you’re a regular smoker, after all, the costs of rolling papers will inevitably add up.

Teen smoking marijuana
Teen smoking cannabis

This is where toking devices come in. Lucky for you, there are plenty to choose from. For sure, you will be able to find at least one method that best suits your needs, preferences, and situation.

Here’s a quick overview of the most common marijuana smoking devices:

  • Pipes are recommended if you want a classic, no-frills way of smoking weed. And since they’re small and easily carried, they’re perfect for users who are always on the go.
  • Bongs are ideal if you prefer massive, powerful rips and smooth, clean hits every single time. Plus, they’re an excellent option when smoking with several people.
  • Dab rigs are specially made for cannabis connoisseurs who want a devastating high in just a single hit. These devices use ultra-concentrated marijuana products, so you only need a small amount to achieve your desired effects. This makes them cost-effective in the long run.
  • Vaporizers are a great option if you’re averse to smoking and want a healthier, safer alternative. They’re incredibly versatile and, depending on the model, can be used for dried herbs, concentrates, or both. On top of that, they’re suitable for use with a group of friends or discreet vaping sessions on the go.
  • Hookahs are a fantastic choice if you want to spice up the smoking experience. They’re also well-suited for leisurely toking sessions since the presence of shisha (the stuff you put on the hookah) makes your weed last much longer than usual.

1. Pipes

A marijuana pipe is a compact, handheld device used for smoking cannabis. Being portable, easy to use, and affordable, it’s hardly surprising that pipes are a crowd-favorite among stoners. It’s usually made using borosilicate glass and comes in a wide range of styles, shapes, sizes, and functionality. The most popular types include hand pipes (or “spoons”), one-hitters (or “chillums”), and steamrollers. But in general, smoking pipes include a bowl, a neck, a mouthpiece, and a small hole called a carb (short for “carburetor”).

Pipe with glass bowl
Pipe with clear glass bowl

To smoke from a marijuana pipe, the first step is to fill the bowl with ground-up flowers. Ensure that it’s neither too loosely nor too tightly packed to promote a smooth, even burning. If the pipe has a carb hole on the side, cover it with a finger while lighting up the plant matter. Release the carb when you’re ready to take a hit.

2. Bongs

A marijuana bong is a water pipe used for smoking dried flowers. It’s available in various shapes, sizes, designs, as well as complexity and functionality. But, each type should feature the same basic components, including a bowl, a downstem, a tube, a base, and a mouthpiece. A bong can also be made with different materials, although borosilicate glass is the most commonly used and is also considered the most superior. Being inert, after all, means that it will not affect the flavor and smell of the smoke.

A bong is known to produce smoother, cleaner, and more aromatic hits than regular joints. That’s because it’s a filtration device first and foremost. After blazing up the bowl, the smoke from the smoldering herbs travels downwards via the stem and into the water chamber. At the base, the water cools and purifies the smoke before sending it up to the mouthpiece. So, upon taking a drag, you will only breathe in the cannabinoids and other valuable compounds – not toxins and contaminants.

3. Dab Rigs

A dab rig (sometimes called an “oil rig”) is a specialized bong or glass water pipe used for smoking dabs. In case you don’t know, dabs are ultra-potent cannabis concentrates boasting up to 90 percent THC and come in varying textures and consistencies. As for dab rigs, they’re available in various types, but they primarily consist of a bong-like piece, a nail, and a carb cap. You will also need a handheld blow torch for proper heating and a dabbing tool to pick up the dab. Keep in mind, however, that electronic nails (enails) exist, which eliminate the need for open flames.

Dabbing Rig
Cleaning a glass bowl for dabbing

Dab rigs may sound complicated, but they’re fairly straightforward to use. To dab cannabis concentrates, the first step is to heat the nail with a blow torch. Once it’s warm enough, a dabber or a dabbing tool is used to apply a small amount of extract onto the surface of the red-hot nail. Eventually, smoke is formed, which users can breathe in through the mouthpiece.

4. Vaporizers

If you’re not a huge fan of marijuana fumes, then vaporizing is the way to go. It’s considered a safer alternative to smoking because it does not combust cannabis flowers or extracts, which means that it won’t produce toxic by-products like cancer-causing compounds and respiratory irritants. There are several types of vaporizers to choose from, but tabletop vapes, portable vapes, and vape pens are the most common. They come in different sizes and functionality, but they essentially operate the same way and consist of the same basic components. It includes a chamber, a heating source, and a delivery system.

To begin the vaporization process, pack the chamber with the appropriate amount of dried herbs, concentrates, or vape juice. Then, heat the substance to 392°F (200°C), which is just below the combustion point. Vapes usually rely on a power outlet or a battery to warm up the buds, although butane options also exist. After some time, the unit will release the cannabinoid-rich vapor, which users can then inhale through the mouthpiece.

5. Hookahs

A hookah is a water pipe traditionally used for smoking sweetened or flavored tobacco. It boasts an intricate design and typically consists of a bowl, a plate, a windscreen, a water base, and one or multiple hoses for inhaling the smoke.

Hookah Set
Hookah Set

To smoke from a hookah, smoldering charcoals are placed above the loaded bowl. The windscreen – usually a perforated aluminum foil – separates the coals from the herbs to encourage heating while avoiding burning. After some time, smoke is created. When users take a hit from the hose, the fumes first pass through the water in the base for cooling and filtration.

As it happens, you can also use a hookah to smoke your weed, be it dried herbs or hashish. In fact, it’s a popular pastime when toking with a group of friends. But, it’s generally not recommended to pack the bowl with the buds alone. Instead, it’s best to sandwich the ground-up weed in between loosely-packed shisha for an optimal burning rate.

II. Household Items or Do-It-Yourself Alternatives

What if you’re craving for a good, long toking sesh, but you don’t have some smoking paraphernalia with you? Maybe you left your pipe at home or your vape pen suddenly went kaput. Or, what if you do enjoy the act of rolling a stick, but you don’t have some papers on hand?

Don’t worry, there are plenty of clever ways to go about it. With just a few steps, you can transform some easily accessible household items into a makeshift joint or a functional marijuana smoking pipe.

1. Gravity Bongs

Gravity bongs (sometimes called “water bottle bongs ” or simply “water bongs”) are among the most popular ways of getting high. They’re also fairly straightforward to make and only require a few cheap materials. To get started, you will need a small plastic bottle, a larger bottle, and some aluminum foil.

DIY Gravity Bong
A hand holding a plastic bottle, a DIY gravity bong

To construct a gravity bong, the first step is to cut the small soda bottle in half. Keep only the top half of the bottle. Next, take the larger plastic bottle and slice it off so you’re only left with the bottom section, which will serve as the “bucket”. Fill it with just enough water to submerge most of the smaller bottle. Set aside.

Grab the aluminum foil and wrap it around the bottle cap to create a makeshift bowl. Poke a few holes at the bottom to promote airflow. Pack it up with your desired amount of weed, then screw the cap back on. Light up a corner of the bowl and wait until the small bottle fills with the milky-white smoke. Remove the cap once you’re satisfied with the amount of cloud. Place your lips against the bottle opening and take a hit.

2. Hot Knives

Hot knives (also known as “knife hits” and “hot knifing”) refer to the practice of warming up two butter knives – or other similarly shaped flat metal objects – until they glow a bright orange-red color. The smoldering knives can then be used to vaporize your weed or hashish, eventually releasing a vapor. To inhale the cloud, a cut-up soda bottle top is positioned over the plant matter, with the opening serving as the makeshift mouthpiece. This tried-and-true method reportedly produces a more potent high than usual and is also a popular way of smoking cannabis if you don’t have a lighter on hand.

3. Apple

Fresh apples offer a fun, convenient, and healthy way of smoking weed. As a bonus, apples are also cheap, widely available, and discreet. No one will even know that you’re using them to blaze up. After use, you can immediately dispose of the apples to get rid of consumption evidence.

Smoking on an apple pipe
A girl smoking weed on an apple pipe

To make an apple pipe, all you need is an apple, a ballpoint pen, and a knife. After snipping off the stem, you need to bore three holes through the fruit to create the chamber system, as well as to form holes for the mouthpiece and the carb. The next step is to carve the bowl on the area where the stem used to be. Finally, it’s just a matter of packing and blazing up the bowl, and taking a slow, measured drag.

4. Corn Husks

Corn husks are an instant favorite among health-conscious marijuana smokers – and unsurprisingly so. Husks, after all, are all-natural, making them one of the healthiest alternatives to traditional rolling papers. As a bonus, they’re also a breeze to use. Once properly dried, corn husks easily roll into a tight stick, so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart or losing its shape. Being fibrous also means that dried husks will burn slowly – much like regular papers.

5. Rose Petals

Rose petals are by far the most aesthetically pleasing alternative to rolling papers. Even better, you only need three rose petals and a working oven to get started.

Rose Petals
Pink rose petals

Start by preheating the oven. Line the rose petals on the pan and warm them up for about 10 seconds. This is enough time to dry the petals without making them too shriveled and crispy. Remove the pan from the oven, lick the petals, and stick them together to form a blunt wrap. Heat them for another 10 seconds. Once done, allow the rose petals to cool down for a couple of minutes and proceed to roll that perfect rose blunt.

No Rolling Papers, No Problem

One of the best things about marijuana is that there are endless ways to smoke it. If you’re not a fan of packing and rolling a joint, for instance, you can always invest in some weed-smoking paraphernalia. It includes pipes, bongs, dab rigs, vaporizers, and hookahs. But, what if these devices are out of the question, too? Maybe you’re on a limited budget or you simply forgot your pipe at home. Even then, there are alternatives. You will just need some common food or household items. When paired with skilled hands and a great deal of resourcefulness, you will be able to turn even into a functional, highly reliable smoking pipe or joint.