What Is a Rolling Tray?

What Is a Rolling Tray?

Bud crumbs, tobacco, ash, leftover rolling papers, roaches, these are just some leftovers that you will find scattered all over a stoner’s coffee table. Come to think of it, if there’s anything cannabis enthusiasts tend to struggle with, it’s keeping their designated rolling area neat and tidy. We understand, the joint preparation process can be quite messy, but it doesn’t have to be. Why let all of that precious bud go to waste when you can smoke it? 

If  this sounds all too familiar, perhaps it’s time to equip yourself with a cannabis rolling tray. By using one of these bad boys, you’ll never have to worry about making a mess or losing a significant portion of your bud to the dust bunnies on your table or under your sofa. Let’s address the question of what is a rolling tray and how it can change your sesh preparations for good. 

The rising popularity of recreational cannabis consumption certainly contributes to the increased demand for cannabis accessories, and rolling trays are essential in every toker’s kit. BDD Wholesale is your go-to marketplace for finding the ideal rolling tray. We offer various tray designs and sizes made from durable, high-quality material.

Rolling Trays: Brief Introduction

Rolling trays have been a part of the tobacco smoking culture for what seems to be centuries. However, cannabis rolling trays began to flourish during the late 20th century, when the consumption of the almighty herb started booming on a global scale. Nowadays, you will find all kinds of rolling trays occupying the shelves of every smoke shop you come across. The item has indeed become an essential tool for the everyday toker.  

How Does a Rolling Tray Work? 

You might be asking yourself how to use a rolling tray. Using a tray for rolling cannabis is as straightforward as the name suggests. Instead of resorting to your table or desk as the go-to surface to prep your joints and blunts on top of, you’ll be using the tray. Considering that most, if not all trays feature curved edges on the bottom side, you can rest assured that no herb will ever be lost in the process. 

Your rolling convenience levels will be at an all time high, as the curved edges also allow for scraping off any spilled crumbs right into your joint. In case you want to save the crumbs for later use, you can always opt for a rolling tray with magnetic lid to keep your herb sealed and air-tight at all times. 

The Importance and Popularity of Rolling Trays in Cannabis Culture

They say that a stoner is defined by the types of tools they utilize to roll their smokables. To put it bluntly (pun intended), if you see a tray for rolling at someone’s sesh, you simply know that you have come to the right place. Considering that nowadays, you can find hundreds of different collectible rolling trays on the market, the item has made its way as a centerpiece in many cannabis enthusiasts’ homes. 

Different Types of Rolling Trays 

There is an abundance of different cannabis rolling tray types out there, depending on your specific needs. Typically, you will find them bearing one single compartment, although there are quite a few that feature multiple compartments, designed to house your smoking tools and accessories. If you’re wondering what size is a rolling tray, you will be pleased to know that they come in various dimensions. 

What Is a Rolling Tray Made Of?

When it comes to materials used for the creation of rolling trays, there are a few you can choose from. You can opt for the typical contenders that most stoners use, or you can treat yourself with an exquisite item and show it off to your seshmates. Let’s go over a few of the most commonly used types: 

  • Metal rolling trays: Metal is one of the most sought after materials when it comes to rolling trays. As a matter of fact, most cannabis rolling tray designs you will come across will likely be made of aluminum. These are quite sturdy but prone to corrosion with heavy use and water exposure. 
  • Wooden rolling trays: If you want to take your smoking sessions back to the old days, a wooden rolling tray is your best bet. The craftsmanship on some of these is quite astonishing and will provide you with a memorable joint prep experience. 
  • Plastic rolling trays: Plastic rolling trays are considered the most cost-effective of the bunch, although if you’re looking for quality, they might not be your best choice. 
  • Luxurious rolling trays: If you are the type that never settles for less, you can treat yourself with a luxurious rolling tray. These typically come with a larger price-tag and can be made from materials such as glass, titanium and even marble. 
  • Rolling Trays with Magnetic Lids

    Magnetic lids are where rolling trays really shine. By equipping yourself with one of these, you will essentially get two products for the price of one. Not only will you have a dedicated flat surface rolling joints, it will also serve you as a hermetically sealed stash box, keeping your bud fresh and sticky. Let’s dig a little deeper into the concept. 

    Magnetic Lids: How Do They Work?

    The concept behind a rolling tray with magnetic lid is fairly simple. Considering that all metal rolling trays have about an inch of depth, this makes them a good cannabis storage item. As you finish your joint, blunt or bowl preparation, you can safely store your remaining bud in the tray and place the magnetic lid on top. The strong magnets will stick to the top of the tray instantly, completely shutting off any incoming air. 

    Benefits of Using a Rolling Tray With a Magnetic Lid

    By now, you’re probably already familiar with the benefits of using rolling trays with a magnetic lid. In case you missed some, let’s go over them one more time and sum-up how using one can benefit you in both the short and long run:

    • Enhanced rolling experience: Of course, the number one reason for getting a magnetic rolling tray or any type of rolling tray is the simplicity it offers when it comes to rolling. You can expect your prep time to halve when equipping yourself with one. 
    • Bud efficiency: You will never have to worry about losing a single crumb of herb again. Any bud residue that might fall off during the rolling process will be contained inside the tray if used properly. 
    • Designated storage: A magnetic lid makes a rolling tray the perfect storage container for your cannabis. If properly sealed, your buds will never dry out, nor get infested with any unwanted bacteria. 

    Popular Brands and Designs

    Considering that the cannabis industry has exponentially grown over the last decade or two, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that there are thousands of different smoking products out there. Rolling trays are certainly not an exception, as there are hundreds of brands scrupulously manufacturing and beautifying them with some delicate designs. Let’s have a look at some of the top-contenders on the market, as well as their finest tray pieces: 

  • Benji: Benji has definitely secured their spot as a top dog in the weed smoking accessories manufacturing industry. While most, if not all of their rolling trays feature an exquisite design, our favorite has to be the Bills Shatter-resistant Glass Tray. 
  • Afghan Hemp: Another popular manufacturer that brings life to smoking sessions through their designs is Afghan Hemp. Their Grandpa Glass Tray is quite the masterpiece that no stoner would ever pass up on.
  • Alien Ape: Alien Ape is the definition of trippy. You can find some of the most stoner-friendly designs residing on top of their trays. One of our favorites is the High in Space Glass Tay. 
  • Space King: Last but not least on our list is Space King and their wonderful selection of rolling trays. One of the most sought after pieces in their catalog is the 3D Holographic Slim Tray, featuring a gorgeous spaceman design that changes as you rotate the lid. 
  • Custom-made and Artistic Rolling Trays

    As any other smoking accessory, rolling trays can be completely customizable, if of course, you have some extra cash to spare. There are a good number of manufacturers and suppliers that will craft a rolling tray to your liking. In case you have a completely new design idea, you can always commission an artist or graphic designer to bring it to life and have it printed directly onto your tray. 

    Options for Customization

    Some of us stoners tend to be quite picky with our accessories. At this point, we aren’t just looking for a custom piece, but rather a fine work of art that’s truly one-of-a-kind. There are a multitude of things that you can call the shots on during the customization process, including but not limited to: 

  • Materials used: If you want a custom-made tray, the first thing your manufacturer is going to ask you is what kind of a material you want it to be.  
  • Size: During the customization process, you will have full control over the size of your rolling tray. The typical dimensions are 14x11 inches, 11x7.5 inches and 7.5x5.5 inches. While these are the standard, you can always get a little experimental and switch the ratio up a bit.
  • Attachable lid: If you choose to go with a custom aluminum tray, you can either have it made with a magnetic lid or without one. Some of the other materials can also feature an attachable lid. However, the hermetic seal can be a bit questionable.
  • Artwork: A key personal factor to purchasing any tray is of course, the piece of art that’s printer on it. Your custom tray and attachable lid can feature a design of your choosing. You can either find one online or commission someone to help you create a unique piece. 
    • Compartments: Depending on what is a rolling tray used for, If you’d like to take it up a notch, you can have your custom rolling tray made with several compartments. These can include a bud compartment, rolling papers compartment, filters compartment and a rolling compartment. In most cases, rolling trays housing multiple compartments are made of wood. 

    Artistic and Themed Rolling Trays

    It matters little what is a rolling tray for when it comes to the artwork. This is strictly an aesthetic feature, but it can make a world of difference. What seems to be the popular choice nowadays are the themed rolling trays. These are typically inspired by some of the most popular movies, shows, anime and video games that made it into today’s stoner culture. 

    Novelty Trays and Collectible Items

    Collectible rolling trays go hand-to-hand with themed rolling trays. However, they are considered as unique, one-of-a-kind items. Given their rarity, you can expect to pay some a higher price to get your hands on one of these, or at least more than you would pay for a regular tray. Novelty trays are released on what seems to be a daily basis, so getting one shouldn’t be all too difficult. 

    Choosing The Right Rolling Tray For Your Needs

    Every toker has their own specific needs and preference when it comes to the perfect rolling tray. With this in mind, there is simply no way that we can provide you with an answer as to what the best rolling trays are for you. We can, however, give you a run-down of what you should be focusing on during your decision-making process. Now that we’ve established what is a rolling tray used for, let’s take a moment to go over what you should be focusing on during your search: 

  • Size and dimensions: There are three types of rolling trays that you can purchase when it comes to size, including small, medium and large. The standard dimensions for these are 7.5x5.5 inches, 11x7.5 inches and 14x11 inches, respectively.  
  • Material and durability: By now you’re already familiar with the materials used for the creation of rolling trays. The most durable ones easily accessible on the market are metal and wood. Some glass and plastic pieces are also quite sturdy, though if you’re looking for no breakage and durability, aluminum is your best option. 
  • Magnetic lids: If you have the opportunity to purchase a rolling tray with a magnetic lid, you should do so. For an extra few bucks, You will experience convenience like never before. 
  • Compartments: In most cases, you won’t be needing more than one compartment, as everything can be stored in one place. If you're the OCD type of smoker, multiple compartments is the way to go. 
  • Best Rolling Trays Based on Different Needs

    Although finding the perfect rolling tray suitable for all of your needs is nearly impossible, we can go over some of the common use-case scenarios and the best trays for them. Have a look at our recommendations. 

    Rolling Trays for Beginners

    If you’re still a novice in the smoking game, you don’t need to get too wild before testing out the cannabis accessories market. An aluminum rolling tray is most likely the best and most cost-effective option you can choose, with or without a magnetic lid. A plastic tray is also a viable option, albeit at a lower quality and an even lower price-tag. 

    Portable Rolling Trays for Traveling 

    When it comes to portability and transportation, you’ll probably find yourself wondering, can you bring a rolling tray on a plane? The short answer is yes, rolling trays are perfectly legal to transport. However, there are a few caveats to it. Your rolling tray must be squeaky clean and house no bud residue whatsoever. If the tray in question is made of aluminum, you’ll probably run into some trouble passing through airport metal detectors. 


    If you’re constantly on the go and in and out of planes, your wisest option would be a small plastic or a wooden tray. They will not come up during any metal detection scans, making them the safest type for air transportation. Keep in mind, if you want to transport a large rolling tray, you might want to reconsider. 

    Best Selling Rolling Trays

    While most cannabis enthusiasts are constantly drawn to smoking accessories, you’d be surprised to find out how many share a similar taste. Take a look at some of the best-selling rolling trays on the market, also available here at BDD Wholesale. : 

  • Puff Puff Pass It: As of right now, one of the most purchased rolling trays is the Puff Puff Pass It - Metal Tray: Keep On Rolling. Featuring a beautiful mandala background and the stoner’s interpretation of The Creation of Adam painting by Michelangelo, it will definitely serve you as the ultimate conversation piece. 
  • Afghan Hemp: Second on our most purchased trays list is the Metal Tray by Afghan Hemp. This one is complemented by a trippy design featuring a hand holding a joint with a stoned eye in the middle. Perfect for those late night high conspiracy theories. 
  • Benji: The Benji - Fly High Rolling Tray is another popular choice, according to our data. Made from metal and equipped with a magnetic lid, the design features a flying stack of cash, high above the clouds. 
  • Dunkees: Should you want to go even trippier, the Original Art’s High Benjamin Rolling Tray by Dunkees will certainly meet your expectations. Perhaps, explaining this one would be to no avail. It’s best if you see it with your own eyes! 
  • How to Clean Your Rolling Tray

    If you want to learn how to clean a rolling tray efficiently, you’re at the right place. Taking into consideration that there are multiple types of rolling trays made of different materials, cleaning methods may vary. Have a look at how you can clean yours, depending on the material it’s made from: 


  • Metal rolling trays: Cleaning metal rolling trays is pretty straightforward. Just soak a soft cloth in some water and gently rinse the surface. You can apply a little isopropyl alcohol as well, just remember to restrain yourself from scrubbing too hard as you might damage the artwork. 
  • Wooden rolling trays: Using water to clean a wooden tray is not advisable, as it can damage the item. Instead, use a cleaning solution such as diluted vinegar or isopropyl alcohol to scrub any residues off. 
  • Plastic rolling trays: You can simply place a plastic tray below your tap, rinse it with a soft sponge and let it dry out before use. This type is the easiest to clean of the bunch. 
  • High-end rolling trays: If you purchased a high-end, luxury rolling tray, it will most likely come with some cleaning instructions. These may vary, depending on what materials were used during manufacturing. If there is no cleaning manual, you can always contact your supplier for some additional information. 
  • Rolling Trays: Final Thoughts 

    By now, you’ve hopefully learned more than just what is a rolling tray; you are a rolling tray pro. By purchasing one of the thousands of unique pieces available, you will significantly boost the quality of your smoking sessions. What used to be a lengthy joint or blunt rolling process will become a quick 2-minute roll. On top of that, you will preserve your bud spillage for later use and keep a tidy table at all times. 

    FAQs

    1. What Is a Rolling Tray Used For?

    A rolling tray is an item on which cannabis consumers grind their bud and roll their joints. If you’ve been smoking without a tray for a while, you know how useful it can be in collecting bud grains and debris.

    2. What are Rolling Trays Commonly Made From? 

    There are multiple different types of rolling trays, material-wise. The most commonly used among them are metal rolling trays, wooden rolling trays and plastic rolling trays. If you want to get more fancy with it, you can opt for some more exclusive materials with the high-end trays available on the market. 

    3. What Size Is a Rolling Tray

    Rolling trays typically come in three different sizes, small, medium and large. The standard dimensions for these are 7.5x5.5 inches, 11x7.5 inches and 14x11 inches, respectively. In case you have a different preference when it comes to size, you can always go for a custom tray.

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