Hemp Wick Guide: Benefits, How to Use, and Best Brands

Hemp wick is a simple upgrade that can significantly improve your smoking experience. Made from natural hemp twine coated in beeswax, it provides a cleaner, lower-temperature flame that preserves flavor and eliminates butane inhalation. Here's everything you need to know.

Quick Answer

Hemp wick is beeswax-coated hemp string that provides a natural flame for lighting cannabis. It burns at ~1500°F (vs butane's 3600°F), preserving terpenes and eliminating butane inhalation. Use it by lighting the wick with a standard lighter, then using the wick flame to light your bowl. It's better for flavor and health-conscious smokers.

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What Is Hemp Wick?

For beeswax and natural materials research, USDA Agricultural Research Service provides scientific data.

Hemp wick consists of two natural components:

Hemp fiber: The core is made from twisted hemp fibers, creating a slow-burning wick. Hemp is chosen for its natural, sustainable properties.

Beeswax coating: A thin layer of beeswax coats the hemp, allowing it to burn slowly and evenly while remaining easy to light.

The result is a portable, natural flame source that burns cleaner and cooler than butane.

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Benefits of Hemp Wick

Better Flavor

Lower temperature burning:

• Hemp wick: ~1500°F
• Butane lighter: ~3600°F

The lower temperature means less terpene destruction. Terpenes (the compounds that create cannabis flavor and aroma) are volatile and degrade at high temperatures. Hemp wick preserves more of what makes each strain unique.

No Butane Inhalation

When you light a bowl directly with a butane lighter, you're inhaling small amounts of butane gas along with your smoke. While the amounts are generally considered safe, eliminating them entirely is preferred by health-conscious users.

More Control

The soft hemp wick flame is easier to direct precisely where you want it. You can:

• Corner bowls more effectively
• Light only the amount you want to smoke
• Avoid burning surrounding material

Natural Materials

For those who prefer natural products, hemp wick is appealing:

• No petroleum products
• Sustainable hemp source
• Natural beeswax
• Biodegradable

Cost Effective

While it seems like an added expense, hemp wick is economical:

• A 200ft spool costs $8-15
• Lasts several months
• Uses less lighter fuel overall

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How to Use Hemp Wick

Basic Technique

1. Unwind a length - Pull 6-12 inches from your spool

2. Light the end - Use any lighter to ignite the hemp wick

3. Apply to bowl - Use the burning wick flame to light your cannabis

4. Blow out when done - Extinguish by blowing or shaking

Tips for Best Results

Keep it handy:

Wrap your hemp wick around your lighter for easy access. Many smokers keep a small spool always attached to their lighter.

Let it catch:

Give the wick a moment to establish a flame after lighting. Don't try to use it the instant it catches.

Control the burn:

Tilt the wick down slightly to encourage burning, up slightly to slow it. With practice, you can keep a consistent flame.

Don't let it drip:

Hot beeswax can drip if you hold the flame for too long. Keep moving and relight as needed.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Trying to light the wick and bowl simultaneously

Solution: Light wick first, let it establish, then move to bowl

Mistake: Using too much wick per session

Solution: 6-12 inches is plenty; blow out and relight as needed

Mistake: Storing wet or in heat

Solution: Keep dry and away from high temperatures

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Hemp Wick vs Butane Lighter

When Hemp Wick Wins

• Flavor-focused sessions
• Quality cannabis appreciation
• Health-conscious smoking
• Cornering bowls
• Taking your time

When Lighters Win

• Quick sessions
• Windy conditions
• Convenience priority
• Lighting joints/blunts

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Choosing Hemp Wick

Thickness Options

Thin (1mm):

• Burns faster
• More precise flame
• Better for small bowls
• Uses more wick per session

Standard (2mm):

• Most common
• Good balance
• Works for most situations
• What most brands sell

Thick (3mm+):

• Burns slower
• Larger flame
• Better for extended use
• More economical

Quality Indicators

Good hemp wick has:

• Natural beeswax smell
• Even coating
• Consistent burn
• No excessive dripping
• Natural coloring (off-white to light brown)

Avoid hemp wick with:

• Chemical smell
• Uneven thickness
• Excessive dripping
• Synthetic coatings
• Very cheap prices (quality matters)

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Best Hemp Wick Brands

Bee Line

Industry standard:

• Organic hemp
• Natural beeswax
• Available in multiple thicknesses
• Widely available
• $8-12 per 200ft

Raw Hemp Wick

From the paper company:

• Natural materials
• Consistent quality
• Often bundled with papers
• Good value
• $5-10 per 100ft

Humboldt Hemp Wick

Premium option:

• Organic everything
• Triple-coated beeswax
• Burns very slowly
• Higher price
• $12-15 per 200ft

I-Tal

Budget-friendly:

• Basic quality
• Works well
• Very affordable
• Good for trying hemp wick
• $5-8 per 100ft

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Storage and Maintenance

Proper Storage

• Keep in cool, dry place
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Room temperature ideal
• Don't store in car (heat melts beeswax)

Keeping It Handy

Lighter wrap method:

Wrap hemp wick around your Bic or Clipper. Tuck the end under a wrap. Always accessible.

Dispenser method:

Some brands sell dispensers that hold the spool and feed out wick as needed.

Spool in kit:

Keep the full spool in your smoking kit, pull lengths as needed.

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DIY Hemp Wick

For the crafty smoker, making hemp wick is possible:

What You Need

• Hemp twine (uncoated)
• Natural beeswax
• Double boiler or slow cooker
• Somewhere to hang while drying

Basic Process

1. Melt beeswax in double boiler

2. Pull hemp twine through melted wax

3. Remove and let cool/dry

4. Repeat for thicker coating

5. Store when fully cooled

Note: Commercial hemp wick is very affordable. DIY is fun but not necessarily economical.

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Common Questions

Does hemp wick taste like anything?

Very subtle beeswax flavor that most people find pleasant or unnoticeable. Far less flavor impact than butane.

Can I use hemp wick for joints?

Yes, though it's less convenient than a lighter for joints. Works best for bowls where you have a stable target.

Is hemp wick safer than lighters?

From a chemical exposure standpoint, yes—no butane inhalation. From a fire safety standpoint, both require careful use.

How do I put out hemp wick?

Blow it out like a candle, shake it out, or press the lit end against something non-flammable (like the bottom of your lighter).

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Summary

Hemp wick is a simple, affordable upgrade that improves flavor and eliminates butane exposure. While it adds a small extra step to smoking, flavor-conscious users find it well worth the minor inconvenience.

Give it a try: A small spool costs just a few dollars. Try it for a week and see if you notice the difference.

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This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.