For some, more experienced cannabis enthusiasts, this post will be a bit boring. This is more for the beginner or less seasoned smoker. This is for those that are ready to purchase a piece of their own and want to know a little more about the choices that are out there.
The two basic styles I’ll be covering will be the bong or water pipe, and the basic cannabis pipe. These are two of the most popular devices for consuming cannabis and can easily be found at any smoke shop.
BONGS
A bong is a type of smoking device used for inhaling cannabis smoke. Other than rolling up a joint or a blunt, this is the second most popular way at Curated to consume cannabis. Bongs are very popular among smokers for their ability to deliver large hits of filtered smoke. They aren’t very portable typically, so they are mostly for home use.
The basic design of a bong is very simple and has existed for thousands of years. It consists of a vertical tube or cylinder, often made of glass, that is filled with water. The bottom of the tube is attached to a bowl and slide where the cannabis is placed. The top of the tube has a mouthpiece for the user to inhale the smoke. When the cannabis is lit, the smoke is drawn through the water, which cools and filters it before it’s inhaled, providing a smoother smoking experience.
There are several different types of bongs available on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits. Here are some of the most common types:
1. Beaker Bong – A beaker bong is a type of water pipe that has a wide, flared base that resembles a beaker. The base provides added stability, making it less likely to tip over, and it also allows for a larger water chamber, providing increased smoke filtration.
2. Straight Tube Bong – A straight tube bong is a simple, classic design that consists of a straight tube with a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other. It typically has a smaller water chamber than other types of bongs. This style with a ice catcher is probably my favorite because of how easy they are to clean. The ice catcher in the example above allows ice cubes to sit in the chamber so the smoke can pass through it. The tiny dimples in the glass prevent the ice from slipping down into the water.
3. Recycler Bong – A recycler bong is a more complex design that utilizes multiple chambers to create a continuous loop of water and smoke. This helps to further filter and cool the smoke, providing a smoother hit. These are typically seen on many dab rigs now.
4. Percolator Bong – A percolator bong, also known as a “perc” bong, utilizes a percolator or diffuser to break the smoke up into smaller bubbles, increasing the surface area of the smoke that comes into contact with the water. This results in even more filtration and cooling of the smoke.
5. Multi-Chamber Bong – A multi-chamber bong, also known as a “multi-level” bong, features two or more chambers that the smoke passes through before reaching the mouthpiece. Each chamber contains water, providing increased filtration and cooling of the smoke.
Pipes
Cannabis pipes are one of the oldest, most traditional and straightforward methods of consuming cannabis. They are portable, affordable, easy to use, and can provide an immediate and direct way to experience the effects of cannabis.
It consists of a small bowl where the cannabis is packed, a narrow stem, and a mouthpiece for inhaling the smoke.
To use a pipe, you would grind up the cannabis and pack it into the bowl of the pipe just like a bong bowl. You would then use a lighter to ignite the cannabis in the bowl while inhaling through the mouthpiece. It’s very simple and great for beginners.
Lets take a look at some of the various kinds of pipes on the market:
1. Spoon Pipe – A spoon pipe is a small, handheld pipe that’s great for beginners. It’s called a spoon pipe because of its shape, which resembles a spoon.
2. Steamroller Pipe – A steamroller is a type of pipe with a large cylinder-shaped chamber and two open ends. You release a carb hole at one end of a long, straight tube to allow large hits of smoke to be inhaled quickly.
3. Chillum Pipe – A chillum is a straight, tube-like pipe that has been used for centuries in India and other parts of Asia. It’s typically made of clay, stone or glass and has a small bowl at one end for holding cannabis.
4. Bubbler Pipe – A bubbler is similar to a bong, but smaller and more portable. It contains a water chamber that helps to cool and filter the smoke, providing a smoother hit.
5. Sherlock Pipe – A Sherlock is a type of pipe that has a curved, elongated stem that resembles the pipe used by the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. It typically has a large bowl for holding cannabis and can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, and wood. A nice large glass Sherlock is my favorite style of pipe because of its ergonomic design and longer stem to cool the smoke.
6. One-Hitter Pipe – A one-hitter pipe, also known as a bat or a taster, is a small, discreet pipe that typically holds only enough cannabis for one hit. These are great disposable on the go pipes since they’re typically very cheap.
These are just a few examples of the many kinds of pipes and bongs that are available. When choosing a piece, it’s important to consider factors such as size, material, and functionality to find the one that best meets your needs and preferences. In terms of materials, I always recommend glass because it’s easy to clean and offers a superior smoking experience over metal components. As I mentioned before, the straight tube bong is my favorite method of smoking other than twisting something up. For me, Ice catchers and percs are not necessary, but they allow you to cool and filter the smoke, so I do recommend them to first time smokers. If you’re looking for a pipe I’d recommend a small glass spoon. They aren’t as easy to clean as the tube bong but they’re portable, easy to use, and typically very affordable.
Remember, whether you choose to purchase a bong or a pipe, keep in mind that even though it’s convenient and sometimes cheaper to go through an online retailer, it is important to shop locally and buy local glass. Doing this helps support local glass artists in your area and keeps your local smoke shop open.
Have fun and be safe!
