What is a rolling machine?
A rolling machine, or hand roller, consists of two rollers with an apron around them. You put tobacco in it, close the machine and turn the apron, so the tobacco forms an even roll. The machine then rolls the paper around it.
There are machines for different paper sizes: about 70 mm for regular, about 78 to 79 mm for 1¼ and 100 to 110 mm for king size. Some have room for a filter tip.
Step by step
- Open the machine and, if you use one, place a filter tip at one end.
- Spread the tobacco evenly along the whole length, up to the filter tip.
- Close the machine and turn the rollers back and forth a few times with your thumbs, so the tobacco forms a roll.
- Insert the paper between the rollers, with the gum strip at the top and facing you.
- Turn the rollers towards you until only the gum strip sticks out.
- Moisten the gum strip and keep rolling until the paper is closed.
- Open the machine and take out the cigarette.
If it does not work
- Too loose or too tight: use less or more tobacco. Too much tobacco gives a roll that is too tight, too little a roll that is too loose.
- The paper tears or does not stick: check that the gum strip is at the top and facing you.
- The apron is stretched or torn: replace it. Some machines come with a spare apron.
Clean the machine now and then with a dry cloth or a small soft brush.
Rolling machine or tube filler?
With a rolling machine you roll paper around the tobacco. With a tube filler you fill a ready-made tube with a filter. You can read more about tube fillers on our page about manual tube fillers.
Frequently asked questions
How does a rolling machine work?
You put tobacco between the two rollers, close the machine and turn the apron until the tobacco forms a roll. Then you insert the paper, with the gum strip at the top and facing you, and roll it shut.
Which rolling machine fits which paper?
A machine of about 70 mm for regular papers, about 78 to 79 mm for 1¼ and 100 to 110 mm for king size.
Why is my cigarette too loose or too tight?
Because of the amount of tobacco: too much gives a roll that is too tight, too little a roll that is too loose.
When do you replace the apron of a rolling machine?
When it is stretched, frayed or torn.
What is the difference with a tube filler?
With a rolling machine you roll paper around the tobacco, with a tube filler you fill a ready-made tube with a filter.
