How To Choose Your First Cannabis Pipe?

Choosing your first cannabis pipe can seem confusing. You may have a bunch of tough questions, including how to find a reputable vendor, how to talk to them, and how to select a right pipe for your needs. Worry no more — we are here for you.

Size Matters

Pipes vary in size: from tiny one-hitters to massive multi-chambered rigs several feet high. Every pipe has its own purpose, and the size of your first pipe will depend on your needs.

If you need a travel-friendly rig, check out a smaller pipe. If you want to use the piece at home, you may want to look at larger tabletops.

The size of your pipe affects the smoking experience. Smaller pieces offer a certain level of control over dosage, which is a little bit harder to achieve with wide-chambered or multi-chambered glass. Beginners should avoid larger pipes and bongs until they have mastered smaller pieces.

Dry Pipes vs. Water Pipes (a.k.a. Percolation)

Pipes work with or without water. Hand pipes (or dry pipes) typically don’t have a reservoir for water and tend to be more portable. However, without water to filter and cool the smoke, they deliver harsher hits.

Water pipes are pieces with a chamber designed to hold water. Handheld pipes, known as “bubblers,” are quite portable and still allow percolation. Percolation is a fancy word that refers to the filtration process the smoke goes through when passing through water.

Larger water pipes, known as “bongs,” are designed to hold more water for greater filtration and special percolators to improve the process. More chambers provide a smoother hit but allow more smoke passing through. Beginners should be wary of larger pipes’ dosage.

Functionality

The design has a lot to say when it comes to the functionality of the glass. The glass community used to split pipes into two groups: production glass and art pieces.

Production glass maintains a functionality-focused design which is easily reproduced for a broader public. One of the most popular types is “scientific glass” which reminds lab equipment. “Scientific” rigs usually have:

Art pieces (a.k.a. “heady glass”) are more about an aesthetic appeal. These pieces may include “scientific glass” features. However, these pipes are much harder to reproduce due to the high level of artistry. Oh, and they are much more expensive, too.

Durability

Durability is often connected to price. A poorly manufactured glass is easier to break due to cheaper materials and failures during the production process.

You may want to ask a retailer for products that are manufactured with 100% borosilicate annealed glass. If you are buying a larger rig, feel free to ask about glass thickness.

As a beginner, you want to be sure that your glass will survive your first mistakes. Everybody makes them, but it is a part of the learning process.

Pricing

Quality comes with a price. It is an important thing to remember when you are buying your first piece. Keep in mind that retailers base prices on several factors: artistry, size, and complexity. However, you can find plenty of options at any price point.

You may want to ask for the affordable quality glass. If you are shopping on a budget, check sales or buy directly from an artist at a convention or expo.

Have a nice hit!

This post is based on this material.

(Sweedsy in no way encourages illegal activity and would like to remind its readers that marijuana usage continues to be an offense under Federal Law, regardless of state marijuana laws. To learn more, click here.)