Cannabis pipes are one of the simplest ways to smoke flower. They don't require rolling papers, there's very little setup, and once you understand how the bowl and carb work, they're pretty easy to use.
If you're searching for how to smoke from a weed pipe, marijuana pipe or cannabis pipe for the first time, here's what you need to know.
What Is a Weed Pipe?
A weed pipe is a small handheld piece used to smoke cannabis flower.
Pipes come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and materials, but most have the same basic parts:
* Bowl: Where you pack the cannabis
* Mouthpiece: Where you inhale
* Airway: The path the smoke travels through
* Carb: A small hole used to control airflow on many pipes
Glass is especially common for cannabis pipes, although you'll also find pieces made from materials such as ceramic and silicone.
Whatever you choose, use something that's actually designed for smoking. Homemade pipes made from cans, aluminum foil, plastic or other random household materials aren't a good substitute for a proper pipe.
How to Pack a Weed Pipe
Start by breaking up your cannabis flower.
A grinder works well, but you can also break flower apart with your fingers. You want relatively small, even pieces without turning the flower into powder.
Remove any large stems.
Then loosely fill the bowl with cannabis.
The key word is loosely.
If you smash the flower tightly into the bowl, you can restrict airflow and make the pipe difficult to smoke.
You want the flower secure enough that it isn't falling out but loose enough for air to move through it.
How to Smoke From a Weed Pipe
If your pipe has a carb, place your finger or thumb over it before you begin.
Put the mouthpiece to your lips and bring the lighter toward the cannabis while gently inhaling.
You don't need to bury the entire bowl in the flame. You're simply trying to ignite the flower.
Once smoke begins traveling through the pipe, remove the flame.
Near the end of your hit, uncover the carb while continuing to inhale briefly. This allows fresh air into the pipe and helps clear the remaining smoke from the chamber.
Then remove the pipe from your mouth and breathe normally.
Especially if you're new to cannabis, you don't need to take a huge hit.
Start small and see how you feel before smoking more.
What Does the Carb on a Weed Pipe Do?
The little hole on the side of the bowl confuses a lot of first-time pipe users.
That's the carb, short for carburetor.
Covering the carb while inhaling helps draw smoke through the pipe. Releasing it introduces fresh air and allows you to clear the smoke remaining inside.
Not every cannabis pipe has a carb, but they're extremely common on traditional glass hand pipes.
Once you understand what the carb does, using a pipe becomes much more intuitive.
What Does "Cornering the Bowl" Mean?
If you're smoking with other people, you might hear someone tell you to "corner the bowl."
No geometry lesson required.
Cornering simply means lighting a small section along the edge of the cannabis instead of putting the flame directly into the middle and burning the entire surface at once.
Why?
Because it leaves some fresh green flower for the next hit.
If you're sharing a bowl, it's a small piece of cannabis etiquette that the next person will probably appreciate.
And even when you're smoking alone, cornering can help you avoid burning more flower than you actually need for one hit.
What Does It Mean When a Bowl Is "Cherried"?
Sometimes cannabis continues glowing after you remove the lighter.
That's commonly called a cherry or a cherried bowl.
If the flower is already burning, you may be able to take another hit without using the lighter again.
If you're sharing the pipe, let the next person know it's still lit before handing it over.
Nobody enjoys unexpectedly discovering that the bowl they're holding is extremely hot.
Don't Blow Into the Pipe
This is a mistake you'll probably only make once.
Don't exhale into the mouthpiece while there's loose cannabis in the bowl.
Air travels both ways.
Blowing into the pipe can send flower and ash flying out of the bowl, which is an impressively fast way to turn your freshly packed cannabis into floor decoration.
Finish your hit, move the pipe away from your mouth and then exhale.
Do You Need a Screen in a Weed Pipe?
It depends on the pipe.
Some bowls have a larger opening at the bottom. If pieces of flower are falling through the hole or you're getting bits of cannabis in your mouth, a pipe screen may help.
Screens are small inserts placed inside the bowl to keep flower from pulling through while still allowing smoke and air to pass.
If you use one, use a screen specifically designed for a smoking pipe.
Don't improvise with random metal screens or household materials.
Some glass pipes are also designed with built-in glass screens or small openings that make a separate screen unnecessary.
How to Pass a Pipe
If you're sharing a pipe, pay attention to which part you're handing someone.
The bowl can become surprisingly hot after repeated use.
A good rule is to pass the pipe in a way that gives the other person easy access to the mouthpiece without making them grab a hot bowl.
And if the bowl is hot, tell them.
That's considerably more useful than silently watching your friend discover it.
How to Clean a Weed Pipe
Eventually, every frequently used pipe gets dirty.
Cannabis resin and ash build up inside the bowl and airway over time. Eventually, that buildup can affect airflow, smell and flavor.
For many glass pipes, isopropyl alcohol is commonly used to loosen residue. Some people also use coarse salt as a gentle abrasive inside appropriate glass pieces.
The exact cleaning method depends on what your pipe is made from, so follow the manufacturer's instructions whenever possible.
A cleaning method that's appropriate for a solid glass pipe may not be appropriate for a painted, electronic, wooden, acrylic or multi-material piece.
After cleaning, rinse the pipe thoroughly when appropriate for the material and make sure it's completely clean and dry before using it again.
Never smoke from a pipe that still contains cleaning solution or chemical residue.
When Should You Clean Your Pipe?
You don't have to wait until airflow is completely blocked.
It's probably time for a cleaning if:
* The pipe is becoming difficult to pull air through
* Resin is heavily coating the inside
* The bowl constantly tastes burnt or stale
* Ash and flower are getting stuck inside
* The pipe has developed a strong lingering odor
Cleaning it regularly is much easier than waiting until the entire airway is packed with hardened residue.
Glass Pipes vs. Other Cannabis Pipes
Glass remains one of the most popular materials for cannabis pipes, and there are some good reasons for that.
Advantages of Glass Pipes
Easy to see buildup: With clear glass, you can usually tell when it's time for a cleaning.
Lots of designs: Glass pipes range from extremely basic pieces to handmade art.
No added material flavor: A clean glass pipe generally doesn't add much flavor of its own to the cannabis.
Widely available: Glass hand pipes are one of the most common types of cannabis smoking accessories.
Disadvantages of Glass Pipes
They break: This is the obvious one. Dropping a glass pipe onto a hard surface can end its career immediately.
They still get hot: Glass doesn't mean the bowl can't become extremely hot during use.
They require cleaning: Resin will eventually build up inside just like it does with other reusable smoking pieces.
There's no requirement that your first pipe be an elaborate piece of glass art. A simple, well-made pipe can do the job just fine.
Pipes vs. Joints and Bongs
A pipe is only one way to smoke cannabis flower.
Joints and pre-rolls don't require a reusable piece, but they continuously burn once they're lit.
Bongs use water and generally have a larger chamber than a hand pipe.
Pipes are small, reusable and allow you to smoke relatively small amounts of flower without rolling anything.
Which one is "best" mostly comes down to personal preference.
A Few Tips for Your First Time Using a Pipe
If you've never smoked cannabis from a pipe before, keep it simple.
Don't pack the bowl too tightly.
Take a small hit instead of trying to fill your lungs with smoke.
Remember to uncover the carb at the end of your hit.
Keep water nearby if smoking gives you dry mouth.
And give yourself some time before deciding you need another hit.
You can always smoke more later.
Looking for Cannabis Flower in Seattle?
If you've got the pipe but need something to put in it, stop by Seattle Cannabis Co. in Rainier Valley or check our current menu.
Our budtenders can help you compare Washington-grown flower at different price points, potency levels and terpene profiles.
You don't need to walk in knowing the exact strain you want, either.
Tell us what you've enjoyed before, what you're looking for and what you want to spend, and we'll help you narrow it down.
Just remember: the expensive glass pipe doesn't make the weed better. What's in the bowl still matters.
