What makes marijuana pipes different?
A basic marijuana pipe has no physical differences from a tobacco pipe. However, marijuana pipes are generally made of glass while tobacco pipes are made from a variety of components, with bowl pieces commonly made from meerschaum, clay, briar wood or corncob. Marijuana pipes are sometimes made of metal, ceramic, wood, silicone, or bamboo. It’s important to note that a marijuana pipe should not be made from aluminum, including aluminum foil. Some marijuana smokers have been known to create small aluminum foil pipes for one-time usage, but aluminium foil can be harmful to your lungs.
A marijuana pipe has a bowl piece, which is where the cannabis is loaded. Next to this bowl piece you will generally find a small hole, called a carb. A carb allows the chamber to be cleared and while smoking from the pipe, you should hold your thumb over the hole and let it go when you stop inhaling. Some pipes do not have a carb. At the end of the pipe, you will find a hole where you place your mouth to inhale.
If you smoke weed, you’re probably familiar with the various methods of smoking it. This includes pipes, vaporizers, bongs, joints and blunts. Marijuana pipes are the most basic way to smoke cannabis and if you’re not already familiar with these other methods, our next sections cover these in more detail.
Cleaning a pipe
It’s important to keep the inside of your pipe clean, as this prevents molding and ensures that it doesn’t clog and become difficult to hit. You can clean your pipe by using an alcohol bath, boiling it in water or applying a cleansing solution. Many smoke shops sell specialized cleaners that are ideal choices for cleaning a pipe. If your pipe disassembles, remove the pieces and let them soak in the cleanser overnight. Afterward, clean the pipe using a cloth or other material.
There should be excess resin that comes loose. Do the best you can to clean the elbow joint, where the bowl piece connects with the stem of the pipe. This will prevent clogging. Once finished, rinse off all the pieces to the pipe under water and reassemble it. There’s nothing like smoking from a freshly cleaned pipe.
Using a Screen
If the hole in your bowl piece is pretty big, you might want to use an extra screen. Screens are sold at smoke shops and marijuana stores and they keep your weed from falling through into the pipe. Using a screen can prevent your pipe from getting dirty and weed from getting sucked into your mouth, or worse, inhaled. Don’t use a makeshift screen, such as one from a faucet or off your screen door. Real pipe screens will last longer and won’t burn.
Passing a pipe
When you are passing a pipe, always hand it with the mouthpiece facing the person you are passing it to. Nobody wants their fingers to get burned and bowl pieces can get extremely hot. This way, it will be you handling the bowl piece and you’ll know just how hot it is. It’s common courtesy.
Taking Greens
If you’re offered greens, that means you’re first to hit the bowl. Don’t put the lighter dead center of the bowl and flame up the entire thing. You can take first hit without turning the whole bowl to ash. Do your best to leave as much of the green intact while still getting a full hit. You can do this by putting your lighter at a corner of the bowl and aiming the flame toward one specific area. Some people call this “cornering a bowl” and if you’re good at it, you can conserve your marijuana better by doing this.
Common Mistakes
Position the lighter while inhaling – A common mistake of first-time smokers is to think you don’t have to hold the lighter to the bowl while you hit it. When you’re smoking weed, keep the lighter over the top of the bowl while you inhale, until it’s able to stay lit on its own. When weed stays lit is called “cherried” and you may even be able to pass it to someone else without them having to relight it.
Don’t exhale with your mouth on the pipe – If you exhale with your mouth still on the pipe, all of the weed is going to fly out of the bowl. It’s an easy way to ruin a good bowl of weed as nobody is going to want to smoke it after it has scattered into little pieces all over the floor.
Glass Marijuana Pipes
A glass marijuana pipe is always preferable to metal, wood or other materials. You’ll find that almost all smoke shops and recreational marijuana stores sell glass pipes. However, glass does have some disadvantages.
Pros-
- They don’t get as hot – Glass pipes don’t get as hot as metal pipes.
- They are see through – Who doesn’t like watching smoke make its way through a pipe?
- They hit clean – Glass marijuana pipes hit really clean and the cannabis will taste a lot better.
- They come in cool designs – Glass pipes come in a variety of cool designs and colors.
Cons-
- They can break easy – If you drop glass, well, it shatters. Be careful with a glass pipe.
- They are more expensive – Glass pipes usually cost more than metal pipes.
- They are solid glass and hard to clean – You can’t disassemble a solid glass pipe. That means it’s all one piece and especially hard to clean.
I did not know the fact that a basic marijuana pipe has no physical differences from a tobacco pipe. My father was told to smoke medical marijuana to treat his chronic disease and pain. I will share this with him so he can have an idea of how to use the pipe.
This was really good and concise information. I appreciate it.
I did not know that a basic marijuana pipe has no physical differences from a tobacco pipe. My uncle was prescripted to use medical marijuana for his chronic disease. Since he does not know how to smoke it, I will look for a place where I can get him a pipe to smoke it.
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Thank you. It’s been 35 years since I’ve smoked weed. I got a small glass pipe because I’m no good at rolling and I want to put the most pure stuff I can get into my lungs. I have all kinds of physical issues. The worst being constant migraines. I’ve tried different Edibles & tinctures because I really want to be good to my body as much as possible. Unfortunately when it comes to taking away migraines & how I feel in general smoking has been the best. I’m going to do even more research now about bongs…I want to get the most out of each hit & do the least damage to my body as possible. It’s already been to hell & just coming back now. Your article here was just what I needed as a guide. Thanks so much!
SuzyQ
We don t recommend using aluminum foil, a soda can, or a window screen as a makeshift pipe screen, as these are often coated with materials that are hazardous to inhale. Preparing cannabis for smoking a bowl is e 4 ssential in order to maximize airflow through your device and deliver the most even smoke possible. In order to do this, breaking down your herb is a crucial step. Doing this creates a homogenous airflow through the bowl where smoke can pass through evenly.
We don t recommend using aluminum foil, a soda can, or a window screen as a makeshift pipe screen, as these are often coated with materials that are hazardous to inhale. Preparing cannabis for smoking a bowl is essential in order to maximize airflow through your device and deliver the most even smoke possible. In order to do this, breaking down your herb is a crucial step. Doing this creates a homogenous airflow through the bowl where smoke can pass through evenly.
I want a glass pipe
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You ve got to be kidding me. If you can t figure out how to toke on your own, how are you able to even get online?
Pack your herb very lightly at the bottom and slightly denser at the top for an even smoke. This allows the cannabis towards the top to maintain a burn, or “cherry” while opening airflow for easy inhalation without any clogging.
Great article .
Cookie Cutter
Im handicap and need something i can use with one arm
Do u empty the bowl out in the ashtray before filling it up with fresh weed?
When smoking cannabis from a glass pipe, should I inhale/exhale down my lungs or thru my nostrils and mouth?
ya buddy
bump
What is the hole on a cover for
cool beans
Whoever wrote this has a very keen sense of humor. His/Her writing reminds me a lot of Richard Brautigan.
Great information for me as I have never used a glass pipe before. Thank you.
Thanks! Smoking for over 50 years but always willing to learn something new!
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