Smoking Bud from a Pipe: A Guide to Different Types of Pipes

Learn About Smoking Cannabis from a Pipe and Buy One Online 

Bongs. Vaporizers. Dab rigs. Even with all the fancy contraband on the market, you can use to consume weed these days, still the most popular tools are pipes.

Whether you want to smoke out of a pipe for personal use or a group session, it’s good to know how it’s done for the best experience, which is probably why you’re here (or to buy one of our heady incredible pipes we have listed below for sale). 

It’s also important that you have a solid base of knowledge about the different types of pipes for sale before you make your purchase. Learn everything you need to know about cannabis pipes from the basics, like what is a pipe and how it works to the different types of pipes available on the marketplace, and how to buy one online safely and securely through our website -World of Bongs. 

What is a Pipe?

A pipe is a handheld device used to smoke cannabis. The flower is packed into the “bowl”, which is the area that holds the weed. There’s usually a hole known as a “carb” on the same end of the pipe that holds the bud. 

Brief History of Marijuana Pipes

Evidence shows that pipes have been around for centuries.Pipes were discovered in Ancient Egypt more than 4000 years ago. Some Egyptian pipes were found with tobacco leaves inside them around 2000 BC. Furthermore, many cultures, namely the American Indians, have been using pipes for ceremonial purposes throughout history. Some of the reasons the Native Americans held rituals include:

• Prayer ceremonies: The Native Americans believed that smoke from the pipe could carry their prayers to the spirits.
• War peace offerings: To smoke with a potential enemy or during times of war was seen as a sign of goodwill.
• Social gatherings: Smoking with others was an interaction that helped build relationships and usually was done with only close friends. 

While not all ancient Egyptians or Native Americans were toking up exclusively on cannabis (in fact, most findings show tobacco and other herbs were also smoked by these civilizations), cannabis was definitely being consumed out of many of these historical pipes. 

In India and Middle Eastern civilizations, hookahs were the most common tools people used to smoke cannabis. However, the holy men, which were known as Sadhus, were known tocarry around small handheld “dry pipes” as a more convenient alternative to the hookah. 

Reasons to Use a Pipe to Smoke Cannabis

Smoking weed from a pipe is probably the most well-known way to consume cannabis and is often how a person tries marijuana for the first time. Pipes are the go-to choice for the majority of potheads for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• Simplicity
• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Widespread availability
• Variety of styles, types, designs, and colors 

How to Choose the Right Pipe for You

Pipes used for cannabis share the main characteristics of pipes used for tobacco.Theyhave a bowl on one end (which is a round basin about a knuckle or so deep that you can pack the cannabis herb in), as well as an airtight channel that sends the smoke straight to the user. Most pipes have a hole near the bowl that is used to regulate the airflow through the pipe. This hole is known as the “carb”, short for carburetor.

Materials Used to Make Different Types of Bowls

Wood. Bamboo. Ceramic. Stone. Many materials have been used for centuries to make smoking devices. However, when it comes to the post-1990s headshop era, glass (usually borosilicate glass) has dominated as the most versatile and popular material used for cannabis pipes. However, metal is also another type of material used in recent years with modern twists that can add some tech advantages to your pipes, such as with vaporizers, etc.

Besides bringing about heady glass to the pot-smoking pipe scene (many kudos toBob Snodgrass for his help on that one), modernity has also given us the ability to manipulate raw materials in ways we’ve never seen before. Keep reading to learn about common types of materials used to make the cannabis pipes sold today: 

Glass Pipes: Glass is the most common material used to make not just smoking pipes but alsowater pipes, aka bongs. Truth be told, glass pipes are the most delicate and fragile out of all the options. So why are they so popular? Because they’re worth it.

The benefits of smoking from glass outweigh the price and the short-term lifespan some of us clumsy stoners face with glass pipes (no joke, sadly, I break on average one piece of glass something or other each week. Whether it’s just a downstem or otheraccessory or nice glass bong which either fell by accident or sometimes anger – I have issues with glass). Don’t do as I do, and keep in mind I have all tile floors and anger management issues.

Don’t worry when it comes to receiving your package intact, just handle the device with care once you remove it. Not only do we bubble wrap the shit out of every pipe we sell (within reason, of course), we also financially insure and carefully track every product we ship out.

So why is glass so good? For one, it offers the cleanest taste which is because it is non-porous so all the deliciousness stays inside. For two, glass has less build-up than pretty much every other type of material used for pipes. This means that you won’t have to worry as much about bacteria and clean-up is not very difficult.

Also, did I mention the beauty of glass pieces? I mean. Come. On. Just look at thisWoodgrain Mycology Sherlock Heady Glass Pipe:

An entry-level glass pipe might look something like thisClassic Spoon Pipe from Grav Labs that is only $20.00:

Red. Blue. Green. All the colors of the rainbow, and mixtures of them, are available when it comes to the world of glass pipes. There’s endless variety and many are beautiful enough to be considered pieces of art - some even at masterpiece levels - which are usually known asheady glass pipes. Do bear in mind that naturally, the more elaborate or decorative the glass piece is, the higher the price will be. It is not unheard of for a gorgeous glass smoking device to range up to a grand or more. 

Cleaning a glass pipe is relatively simple and most people opt to boil it in water for about 10 minutes. In order to reduce movement and help prevent accidental breakage during the cleaning process, use a small vessel or a colander. Soaking it in alcohol, with a minimum concentration of 91%, is also a highly effective way to clean a glass pipe. Simply let it soak for about 10 minutes, rinse, and let dry.

Glass is fragile, so be careful not to expose it to extreme changes in temperature during the cleaning process and always transport it with ever so much care. Oh, and don’t have a temper tantrum and throw your glass pipe or forget it’s on your lap and stand up. They break so easily (although there is something incredibly satisfying about the sound of shattering glass, it is highly recommendednot to spend money on a glass pipe just to break it). For many, fragility and price are the major cons of glass pipes. But, they are so. Freaking. Nice. I mean, just look at this incredibleMoonrise Butterfly Hammer:

Drool….

Metal Pipes for Cannabis

Durable. Reliable. Maybe even a bit masculine? If you’re looking for a sturdy pipe that won’t let you down, metal bowls are the way to go. However, no matter what quality of metal you go with for a smoking pipe (although we highly caution you to only smoke from ones that are considered safe, such as medical-grade brass or titanium), you will always have some flavor hints that will accompany your cannabis flower - and not in a good way. 

Most metal pipes are affordable but you are going to see a wide range of prices. Simple ones start out with options such as one-hitters then move up to more complex metal pipes such asvaporizers.

A very cool thing about metal pipes is that you can often find compact ones that are convenient to transport. In fact, a wooden “dugout” with a one-hitter on one side and a place to hold your broken-up cannabis flower on the other side (much like a pack of Nerds) is one of the easiest ways to carry around some bud and stay high. 

Metal pipes are pretty easy and straightforward to clean, much like glass ones. In fact, you can use the boil or alcohol methods as described above. Keep in mind that metal pipes will need more time than glass ones to clean, so go for at least 15 minutes instead of just 10 for either process. Don’t put a metal pipe in a dishwasher, as the chemicals inside the cleaning solution could tarnish it. 

If you’re on a mission to collect resin or just want to hit every nook and cranny of your metal pipe, you might be happy to learn that most metal pipes have joints and removable pieces that help you get in deep and give it a good scouring. 

If you have a metal vaporizer, such as this beauty below, called theCFV Vaporizer by Boundless Technology, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to an absolute “T” when it comes to cleaning the thing. 

Wood Cannabis Pipes

Cannabis pipes made out of wood have an entirely different feel, look, and taste than all the other pipes on the list. Why? Not only do wooden pipes give off a very nostalgic feel, but the unique composition of each type of wood adds unique flavor undertones that enhance the pipe-smoking experience. Another reason why wood is an awesome material for smoking pieces is that there is a wide variety of grains, densities, and colors to choose from. Harder woods are preferred and will last a long time.

Wood has been used to make cannabis pipes for centuries. It remains a durable and popular material today. Before you smoke your cannabis flower from a wooden pipe, you actually need to go in and evenly burn the interior of the bowl in order to create a layer of charcoal.

Wooden pipes are usually chosen because the smoker wants to enhance the flavor profile of the experience, or because it is the only material available to make a pipe from. Wooden pipes are fairly durable and also pretty easy to clean. Usually, all you need is a pipe cleaner and a few minutes to get the job done. Once all the resin, tar, and other byproducts that can be removed manually are, then you run water through the pipe until it is clean. Oftentimes, wood is incorporated with other materials to make a pipe, such as thisTaster Bat with Wooden Mouthpiece.

Bamboo Cannabis Pipes

Bamboo has increased in popularity in the last decade as a material used to make pipes - mostly because of the “green” movement. Bamboo pipes actually originated in Asia and many soldiers brought some of these back from Vietnam, but their use was never widespread or mainstream back then.

Although these pipes have been recently trending (just check Etsy), bamboo still remains towards the bottom of the list of preferred materials used for weed pipes. Bamboo could probably get dirty easily, but clean-up is not that difficult. The taste will be enhanced with the natural fibers of the bamboo but residue buildup could give your weed a harsher taste. However, with bamboo pipes, you can feel comfortable knowing that you’re smoking out of a material that is all-natural and will not cause you or the environmental problems.

Acrylic Weed Smoking Pipes

Acrylic is a type of plastic that is sometimes used for pipes. Acrylic is somewhat resistant to heat and these pieces will come with a metal type of bowl and usually a carb to help you control airflow.

While you can buy small acrylic pipes pretty cheap, the truth is, they often taste terrible to smoke out of. In fact, they can add a rather harsh taste to normally smooth weed, so they are not a favorite amongst stoners. However, you can often find these pieces at cheap prices, so for newbies who want to give cannabis a try, acrylic pipes might be an option.

Ceramic or Clay Cannabis Smoking Pipes

Ceramic is a very close second to glass when it comes to the smoothness and flavor profile when combusting cannabis. One of the main advantages of smoking from clay is that it delivers a nice clean taste, and you can also find clay pipes in literally any type of design, shape, or color imaginable. So, if you are looking for a highly customized pipe for a gift perhaps, a clay or ceramic pipe might be a good choice.

Another advantage of clay or ceramic pipes is that they can be more inexpensive than pipes made out of other types of materials, such as glass. Clay pipes are also easy to clean and they can make beautiful pieces that can be displayed on a mantle. 

Disadvantages when it comes to clay or ceramic pipes are few, but the major one is the fact they are pretty fragile. While there’s still a good chance you could break a ceramic pipe if it drops, it’s more likely to survive than if it was made from glass.

There is another downside to clay as a material for pipes, and that is the fact that it can become heated up pretty easily. The flame from your lighter could cause the bowl to become incredibly hot, which could result in a burn on your hands. In order to avoid such inconvenience, try to take short fast hits from a ceramic pipe and be careful not to hold the flame to it for too long. 

Stone Pipes for Smoking Cannabis

Durable. Portable. Unique. Stone pipes are very handy and every stoner should have at least one in their arsenal ofpipes and accessories. Not only are they all-natural and look cool, stone pipes actually hold a lot of advantages over other types of pipes such as glass and metal ones. You can choose from endless earthy colors and tones and some types of stones may possess healing properties or health benefits.

Stone pipes can be carved into a variety of designs, such as skulls, animals, or other types of objects, etc. Small stone pipes come in handy whether you're fishing or at a festival and need something that you can quickly and easily stash away. Other benefits of stone pipes are that they are very affordable and practically unbreakable.

When it comes to cleaning a stone pipe, depending on the design of the actual piece, it can sometimes be hard to squeeze into all the cracks and crevices to get the piece cleared out. While the taste might be subpar to glass, a lot of that has to do with the fact these stone pipes are more prone to build-up and bacteria. However, a clean stone pipe will still give off a smooth cannabis combustion experience, every time.

What are the Different Types of Cannabis-Smoking Pipes?

Cannabis pipes and bowls for smoking weed come in a variety of styles and functionalities. We are going to break down the different types of weed pipes you’re likely to encounter on the market: 

• Spoon Pipes: These pipes are usually made from glass, and at a glance, their shape resembles a spoon (duh, kind of where the name came from, right?) Spoon pipes are the most common ones you see used in both the United States and Canada. In fact, the pretty greenClassic Spoon Pipe by Gravity Labs pictured above is, like the name implies, a classic example of a spoon pipe. Spoon pipes are awesome, and you can find them in dozens of styles, colors, sizes, and designs. 
• Steamroller Pipes: These pipes are long cylinders that have a bowl on top where you pack the cannabis flower. Both ends of the cylinder are open and these start out larger than a blunt and go up in size from there. To summarize, a steamroller is a bad boy that packs a good punch as it’s basically a dry handheld bong that does not require water to function yet still delivers some massive rips. 
• Sherlock Pipes: You probably don’t need me to spell it out for you that Sherlock pipes, such as that gorgeousWoodgrain Mycology Sherlock Heady Glass Pipe pictured above, are the ones with the classic “U” shape from the mouthpiece to bowl. Sherlock might have been puffing on tobacco when he first made this pipe style popular, but the modern era has brought the design back with some snappy adaptations for smoking cannabis. 
• Bubblers/Hammers:Bubbler pipes, aka hammers, are usually made out of glass and they hold water in a reservoir on the opposite end of the mouthpiece. Typically, a hammer or bubbler has a stem that extends down from the actual bowl itself into the water reservoir, which creates a bubbling filtration system when you smoke from it. Flower, hash, and kief are popular to smoke out of a bubbler or hammer pipe. 
• One-Hitters and Dugouts:One-hitters are awesome cylindrical tubes that look like cigarettes that can be used to easily smoke cannabis flower, tobacco, or other herbs. These small pipes usually hold no more than a hit or two at a time. A dugout is usually a wooden case that comes with the one-hitter and can be placed in your pocket much like a cigarette pack. You can easily load the one-hitter with the weed you store already broken up and ready to go inside the “dug-out” compartment of the case. 
• Chillums: These are slick tubular pipes that can be made from a variety of materials such as glass, ceramic, bamboo, wood, etc. These pipes actually date back centuries and have been used commonplace for many years in countries such as India. Modern chillums are almost always made out of glass. These are great if you like the taste and experience of smoking out of glass, but you want something that is portable and doesn’t take up a lot of space. 
• Glass Blunts: A glass blunt is a cylinder that has a mouthpiece attached to one end, and it’s open at the other end. Typically, there is a small auger type of system inside connected to the mouthpiece which keeps the weed separated from the smoke you inhale. When you use the device, you twist the mouthpiece, thus twisting the auger, which dumps the ashes and keeps the unused cannabis ready for the next sesh.

Buy Your Cannabis Pipe for Smoking Online Today

Buy a smoking pipe online today. Shopping with an online headshop is discreet and you can take your time browsing options. Plus, when you order your new cannabis pipe from World of Bongs, you can rest assured that you’ll get a stellar deal and that your delivery will arrive well-packaged and secure. We carefully track every item that we sell, plus we financially-insure each order just in case anything does happen. Shop our selection of pipes on this page today.