Cannabis pipes: definition, types, materials and use

A small, portable device used for smoking cannabis. Pipes are available at most tobacco shops and at your favorite headshop. The cannabis flower is packed into the bowl, which, as its name suggests, is the bowl-shaped part that holds the cannabis. When using a pipe to smoke cannabis, it’s important to cover the air hole—the hole on the side of the bowl where the flower is placed.

History of Pipes

The history of the pipe dates back at least 4,000 years, with evidence discovered in ancient Egypt. Remains of pipes and tobacco leaves have been found in Egyptian sarcophagi dating back to 2000 B.C. Ceremonial pipes were also used by Native Americans throughout history, during prayer ceremonies (the smoke produced by the pipe was believed to carry prayers to the spirits), in times of war (symbolic «peace pipes» were presented as a gesture of goodwill), and during social gatherings.

Pipes have also been used throughout history as a way to smoke cannabis. Holy men, known as sadhus in India and the Middle East, used «dry pipes» as an alternative to the more popular hookah.

Today, pipes are one of the most popular devices for smoking cannabis flower thanks to their widespread availability, ease of use, affordability, and the variety of types, colors, and styles. Although pipes are widely used and sold, they have not been without legal controversy.

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an undercover operation dubbed “Operation Pipe Dreams,” which targeted dozens of glassblowers across the country—the most prominent of whom was the pop culture icon and cannabis advocate Tommy Chong – and accused them of «trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia.» The resulting convictions—notably the nine-month prison sentence handed down to Chong—and the ensuing controversy inspired a new generation of glassblowers and sparked a resurgence in pipe-making in the United States, which continues to this day.

Types of Pipes

There is a wide variety of pipe types, including hand pipes, one-hitters, steamrollers, and even handcrafted pipes inspired by literature and movies.

Hand Pipes

Also known as «spoons,» hand pipes are the most common type of pipe used for smoking cannabis. Hand pipes fit in the palm of your hand and consist of a bowl where you pack the flower and a stem through which you inhale the smoke. There is a hole at the bottom of the bowl that allows smoke to pass through the stem, as well as a larger hole on the side, called a carb, which allows smokers to regulate the airflow.

Hand pipes are most often made of glass, although metal and wooden versions are also available.

One-hitters

One-hitters are sometimes confused with chillums : a traditional tubular pipe of Indian origin, without a bowl, used by the Sadhus. The chillum is technically a precursor to the one-hitter but differs from it in its more elongated shape, its complete lack of a separate bowl, and its cultural and spiritual significance within the Hindu tradition. The two terms are often used interchangeably in France, even though they refer to two distinct objects.

One-hitters are small pipes, usually 5 to 10 centimeters long, shaped like a tube with a mouthpiece at one end and a small opening for the cannabis flower at the other.

These pipes are called "one-hitters" because they can usually hold only a small amount of cannabis—enough for one hit.

Steamrollers

Steamrollers combine the features of hand pipes and one-hitters. They are generally cylindrical, similar in shape to a one-hitter, but borrow certain features—such as a carburetor and a larger bowl—from a hand pipe. The main difference between a steamroller and a hand pipe is the open area at the front of the steamroller, which allows for greater airflow.

Pipes Inspired by Popular Culture

Icons of popular culture have also inspired their own categories of pipes, notably the Sherlock pipe (made famous by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and characterized by its long, curved shape) and the Gandalf (originally called a «churchwarden» pipe and associated with the wizard Gandalf from “The Lord of the Rings” series; this pipe is similar to the Sherlock but significantly longer).

Pipe Materials

How to Use a Pipe

Smoking cannabis through a pipe is one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to do so. To start smoking with a pipe:

Take a small amount of cannabis flower and break it up with your hands or a grinder, then place the cannabis in the pipe bowl. The key is not to pack the bowl too tightly. Hold the pipe in the palm of your hand and place your finger or thumb over the air hole, which, depending on the type of pipe you’re using, will be on the side or at the end of the pipe.

If you're using a one-hitter, there's no carb to cover. Hold your lighter close to the surface of the bowl and inhale while keeping your finger on the carb. This will draw the flame toward the bowl, ignite the cannabis, and create smoke that you can inhale through the stem.

Once your flower starts to burn and turn red, move the flame away from the bowl. You can keep the ash burning by covering and uncovering the bowl with a tap as you inhale. Exhale and repeat until you’ve smoked all the cannabis in the bowl.

How to Clean a Glass Pipe

With frequent use, pipes can accumulate residue that may clog them and affect the flavor of the smoke. Cannabis users should make a point of cleaning their bowls regularly to ensure the best possible experience.

To clean a pipe:

• Place the pipe in a sealable plastic bag, fill the bag with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) so that the entire pipe is submerged, and add one teaspoon of salt. Table salt (sodium chloride) or Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) are both suitable. Let the pipe soak in the container or bag for up to 12 hours. This will give the alcohol time to dissolve the resin.
• Once the pipe has had time to soak, shake the bag vigorously to remove the resin from hard-to-reach areas of the pipe.
• Remove the pipe from the bag and wash it thoroughly with water and dish soap. Let the pipe dry.

If you don't have a bag handy, you can also clean your pipe in a small, sealable container. However, skip the step of «shaking vigorously» to avoid breaking your pipe.

Frequently asked questions

How do you smoke a pipe without a carburetor?

The technique for smoking weed in a pipe without a bowl is not very different from that of a pipe with a bowl. A pipe without a bowl simply requires a slightly stronger draw to draw the smoke through the stem. When using a pipe without a carburetor, smokers should also expect to lose some smoke that escapes from the bowl—rather than passing through the pipe—as the ember burns.

Since you have less control over the airflow in the pipe, it may be helpful to start with smaller puffs until you get a better feel for the pipe and your own lung capacity.

How much do herb pipes usually cost?

A standard glass pipe typically costs between 20 and 35 euros. More elaborate or custom-made pieces cost between 100 and several hundred euros, or even more.

What is the difference between a pipe, a bowl, and a pipe?

A «piece» is a generic term for a pipe or other handmade smoking device. A bowl is the opening in a pipe where the tobacco is packed, although the term is sometimes used synonymously with “pipe” to describe the entire piece.

What is the difference between a pipe, a bubbler, and a bong?

A pipe is a basic device for dry smoking, consisting of a bowl and a stem, whereas a bong is a water pipe with a bowl connected to a downpipe, which filters the smoke through water before it reaches the user. A bubbler is also a water pipe, but it is a handheld pipe with a fixed bowl and a water chamber.

To compare all consumption methods, see our guide how to use cannabis.