Powermatic II Cigarette Machine Guide | FESSONLINE

The Powermatic II is an electric cigarette-injecting machine designed for smokers who want consistent, hand-rolled results without the effort of rolling by hand. It works by injecting loose tobacco into empty filter tubes in seconds. If you smoke regularly and want to cut costs while controlling what goes into your cigarettes, this machine is built for you.

What Is the Powermatic II and How Does It Work?

The Powermatic II is a tabletop electric injector that presses loose-cut tobacco into standard cigarette tubes using a motor-driven spoon mechanism. You load tobacco into the hopper, place an empty tube on the nozzle, press the lever, and get a finished cigarette in about three seconds. No twisting, no pinching, no uneven burns.

• Fill the hopper with your chosen loose tobacco blend
• Slide an empty filter tube onto the brass injection nozzle
• Press and hold the lever until the tube fills completely
• Remove the finished cigarette — it is ready to smoke immediately

The machine runs on standard household current and requires no batteries or butane. The spoon mechanism compresses tobacco evenly, which means you get a consistent draw every time rather than the tight spots or loose ends that come from hand-rolling.

How Much Money Does the Powermatic II Actually Save You?

Switching from factory cigarettes to a tube-and-tobacco setup with the Powermatic II can cut your per-cigarette cost by more than half. A carton of name-brand cigarettes averages around 13 dollars per pack in the United States, while making your own with loose tobacco and filter tubes typically runs 1 to 2 dollars per pack equivalent.

• Factory pack: approximately 10 to 15 dollars depending on your state tax
• DIY pack with loose tobacco and tubes: approximately 1 to 2 dollars
• Annual savings for a pack-a-day smoker: roughly 2,500 to 4,000 dollars

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, average cigarette prices in high-tax states like New York exceed 11 dollars per pack after excise taxes. According to RYO Magazine, a regular smoker using a quality injector machine and bulk tobacco typically spends 60 to 70 percent less annually than buying retail packs.

Powermatic II vs. Hand Rolling: Which One Is Worth Your Time?

The Powermatic II produces a tighter, more uniform cigarette than hand rolling in a fraction of the time. Hand rolling with a manual roller takes practice, wastes tobacco through spills and uneven fills, and still produces inconsistent results. The Powermatic II removes all of that friction and delivers the same result every single time.

• Speed: Powermatic II fills a tube in 3 seconds vs. 30 to 60 seconds by hand
• Consistency: Machine injection is uniform; hand rolling varies with technique
• Tobacco waste: Hopper-fed injection loses almost none; rolling loses bits on every attempt
• Learning curve: Machine requires one practice run; hand rolling takes weeks to master
• Portability: Manual rollers win here — the Powermatic II needs a flat surface and an outlet

Still rolling by hand and ending up with a cigarette that burns faster on one side? The machine solves that problem entirely. That said, if you smoke occasionally or travel frequently, pairing the Powermatic II at home with a compact manual roller for the road gives you the best of both situations.

What Tobacco and Tube Sizes Work with the Powermatic II?

The Powermatic II is designed for standard 100mm tubes and works best with a fine to medium-cut loose tobacco. Coarse-cut pipe tobacco can jam the spoon mechanism, so if you prefer a richer blend, you need to grind it down slightly before loading the hopper. The machine does not work with 70mm or king-size 84mm tubes without an adapter.

• Compatible tube sizes: 100mm filter tubes (most widely available)
• Best tobacco cut: Fine cut or ribbon cut loose tobacco
• Tobacco to avoid: Chunky pipe cuts, very moist tobacco, or stems
• Hopper capacity: Holds enough tobacco for approximately 10 to 15 cigarettes per fill

Keeping your tobacco at the right moisture level matters more than most people expect. Tobacco that is too dry crumbles and produces a harsh smoke. Tobacco that is too moist clumps and jams the mechanism. A simple two-finger pinch test — the tobacco should hold shape briefly then crumble — tells you the moisture is correct before you load the hopper.

How to Use the Powermatic II Step by Step

Using the Powermatic II correctly takes about three minutes to learn and produces a finished cigarette in under five seconds once you have the process down. Follow these steps exactly on your first session and you will not need to troubleshoot anything.

1. Place the machine on a flat, stable surface near a power outlet
2. Check that the injection nozzle is clean and free of leftover tobacco
3. Fill the hopper with fine-cut loose tobacco — do not overpack it
4. Slide a 100mm filter tube firmly onto the brass nozzle until it seats fully
5. Press and hold the injection lever with steady, even pressure
6. Release the lever once the machine stops — the tube is now full
7. Pull the finished cigarette straight off the nozzle without twisting
8. Set it aside for 30 seconds before smoking to let the fill settle

If the tube feels underfilled on your first attempt, you likely released the lever too early. If it overfills and tobacco spills from the open end, your cut is too fine or the tobacco is slightly too dry. Both issues fix themselves within two or three practice tubes.

How to Clean and Maintain the Powermatic II

Cleaning the Powermatic II after every 50 to 100 cigarettes keeps the injection mechanism running smoothly and prevents tobacco residue from gumming up the spoon. A machine that gets regular basic maintenance lasts years longer than one that gets ignored between uses.

• Unplug the machine before any cleaning — always
• Remove the hopper and shake out loose tobacco debris
• Use a small brush (a clean toothbrush works well) to clear the spoon channel
• Wipe the brass nozzle with a dry cloth to remove residue buildup
• Apply one small drop of food-safe mineral oil to the spoon rail once a month
• Never use water or liquid cleaners inside the mechanism

The most common reason a Powermatic II starts producing loose or uneven cigarettes after months of use is residue buildup around the spoon track. A five-minute cleaning session with a stiff brush resolves this in almost every case without any part replacement needed.

What to Store Your Tobacco and Cigarettes in After Rolling

Once you have rolled a batch of cigarettes, storing them correctly keeps the tobacco fresh and the filter tubes from going soft. Freshly injected cigarettes are best used within a week, but a proper case keeps them firm and clean whether you are at home or carrying a few out with you.

At FESSONLINE, the 100mm Cigarette Case 3-Pack with Flip-Top Storage holds 18 cigarettes per case and fits the exact tube size the Powermatic II produces. The flip-top lid keeps dust and moisture out, which matters more than most people realize for maintaining the quality of a fresh fill. The case is compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket or a bag without adding bulk.

If you prefer rolling on the go rather than carrying pre-made cigarettes, the 110mm Hand Cigarette Roller from FESSONLINE gives you a manual backup that produces a consistent size every time without needing a flat surface or a power outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Powermatic II use pipe tobacco?

Yes, but only if the pipe tobacco is a fine or ribbon cut. Coarse or chunky pipe tobacco blends will jam the spoon mechanism. Run the tobacco through a grinder briefly to bring it to a finer cut before loading the hopper, and you will get clean results without damaging the machine.

How long does the Powermatic II last with regular use?

With basic cleaning every 50 to 100 cigarettes and monthly lubrication of the spoon rail, the Powermatic II typically runs reliably for several years of daily use. The spoon and drive mechanism are the components most likely to wear first, and replacement spoons are widely available from most tobacco supply retailers.

What size tubes does the Powermatic II use?

The Powermatic II is built for 100mm filter tubes, which are the most commonly available size at tobacco shops and online retailers. It does not natively accept 84mm king-size tubes or 70mm tubes. If you want to use a different size, check whether a nozzle adapter is available for your specific tube brand before purchasing.

Is it worth buying a cigarette case if I use the Powermatic II at home?

Yes, especially if you roll in batches. A cigarette case keeps freshly injected cigarettes from getting crushed, absorbing humidity, or unraveling at the open end. Rolling a day's supply at once and storing them in a flip-top case is faster than rolling one at a time and keeps each cigarette in the same condition as when it came off the machine.