How NOT to make your own clove cigarettes...

Here are some simple things to NOT DO when trying to make your own clove cigarettes...

1) Do not try shoving whole cloves in the tobacco...yes, this should be a given, however, even those stupid warnings you read about not eating the plastic bag were intended for someone. This goes out to all those DIY clove makers who think they can circumvent the grinding process. Sure, you COULD buy ground cloves...and I say, if you are so inclined...go for it...but your cigarettes will probably taste like caca...compared to a Djarum Black.

2) Do not douse your tobacco with clove bud essential oil and roll/stuff without drying it all the way out. it will get all over you, jam up the machine and piss you off.

3) Do not lick your hands while making cigarettes. Don't. Do. It.

4) Do not attempt to try and make inverted sugar syrup with palm sugar. Yes it has a better glycemic index...but if you are following rule 3..you are probably going to smoke the cigarette, not eat it anyway.

5) Do not go willy nilly with the cloves. Sometimes too much of a good thing, is not good. Sometimes too much of a good thing sucks ballzacs.
------------------------------------------------------------

So I have made a total of 2 packs and smoked them all...and they were actually palatable. I don't really have a formal process for reviewing each "experiment"...I just tweak as necessary and keep notes....so I can start from the same point the next go around.

Anyway - not too much more too add to this just yet, but I am sure it is not going to just turn over and die either. We will keep it around for good measure. I am listing the links that I found useful below...chances are, if you found this blog you have already seen the links I am about to post...but though it would be nice if they were all in one spot for any ambitious manufacturers.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Clove-Cigarettes/Kretek
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catastrophegirl/sets/72157622017594810/
http://m0nsterface.blogspot.com/

First...Attitude. Now - getting closer....

Soooooooo......I ran out of the last pack of cloves that I had yesterday....midday. Ouch.

There is something to be said for the motivation of necessity. Because...I am getting closer. Where before I was so effing frustrated with the little damn stuffing machine, the lack of sweetened paper, the nasty flavor of the tobacco, and so on and so forth...I had the right mind to forget the whole thing and just quit like I should have. But my momma didn't raise no quitter!!!

not only did I run out...but spoke with the phone-answering lady at JFK customs, and was told in no uncertain terms, that my internationally purchased cigarettes were not coming and in fact were confiscated and "destroyed" (smoked)...It was a bad day. :(

Did I put (yes) - did I get nasty (yes) - did I curse the ignorance of the Elitists (as a matter of fact I did) - Did I plot inconceivable revenge (you bet I did!)....No. I didn't (LIES!). I went home and got serious. I reviewed all of the info from other people on the same quest. I looked up new info to try and discover all i could regarding the clove cigarette making process. And then i disregarded all of it...well, not really. I actually tried to emulate it, as best I could....and have at least something that has given me hope...and will keep me going for a little while longer.

Aree there problems, yes. Are there annoyances, yes. But hallelujah...I have something that tastes similar to some of the crappy brands I have been smoking for the past month. So clearly, I must be onto something. Big.

Anywa...I know this is not details or anything...but that will have to be tomorrow.. Too tired from the cigarette making frenzy I have been in. Till then, ciao.