A chillum is a simple, easy-to-use marijuana pipe that can hold approximately a single session or single inhale of cannabis smoke. It’s a great tool if you enjoy microdosing or just prefer to limit the amount of marijuana flower you enjoy. 

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about chillums, including:

• What is the History of the Chillum?
• How Do You Use a Chillum?
• How Do You Clean a Chillum? 
• What Are The Different Types of Chillum Pipes?

The concept of a chillum–a single-use cannabis pipe, also referred to as a “one-hitter”– has been found in cultures across the world. Hindu monks, Rastafarians, and Native Americans all had chillum-like pipes to consume cannabis for religious purposes. The chillum pipe became popular in the United States in the 1960s, during the influx of tourists to East Asian countries. The rest, as they say, is history.

If you’ve ever packed a marijuana pipe before, you already know how to use a chillum. Simply grind up your favorite indica or sativa cannabis flower and place a small amount in the end, or bowl, of the chillum. Keep the chillum tipped slightly so the marijuana doesn’t fall out, light the marijuana, and inhale. Chances are, you’ll get about a single inhale, maybe two, before your product burns out.

Once you’ve finished a session with your chillum, you’ll want to clean it. This is because the chillum is small and therefore easily clogged with resin and other sticky residue. You can use a little wire brush or a simple cloth, along with hot water or even alcohol, to clean your tool. Give it a scrub, and you should be good to go. 

If you haven’t been as diligent about cleaning your chillum, it’s possible you may need to soak it to soften the residue. If your chillum is made out of wood or a softer stone, you don’t want to soak it in anything more than warm water. This is because the chillum will absorb flavors like soap and ruin the flavor of your cannabis the next time you use it. 

Note, while some people like to use dry concentrates with their chillum, this can create a mess and decrease the longevity of your chillum. We recommend using cannabis flower (maybe with a little kief on top) with your chillum for the best experience and easiest cleanup. 

Chillums are popular with cannabis consumers who microdose flower. Learn more about microdosing in our guide.

Chillums can also be found made from clay, glass, or even metal. There are even chillums carved out of stone. When shopping for your own chillum, there are two major types to choose from:

Some use the terms “one-hitter” and “chillum” interchangeably, although “one-hitter” is the slang term that you won’t hear in a state-licensed dispensary. As explained above, this device allows the user to consume one inhalation’s worth of cannabis flower.

Chillums come in a variety of materials and styles, including glass, acrylic, metal, and wood. Similar to hand pipes, they can be quite intricate and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

These are a great option if you think you’ll want a bit more cannabis flower than a single inhalation. This type of pipe has many names, including Monkey Pipes or Fisherman’s Friend Pipe, but the general design is the same: instead of a single chamber, you have two. The first chamber is used to store your pre-ground marijuana, and the second chamber is used to consume the cannabis. Typically, to move the cannabis from the first chamber into the second, you give the dugout a twist, and the second chamber is packed and ready for use. 

If you’re looking for a glass chillum or any type of chillum, head down to your local dispensary. Chances are, they will have a variety of chillums you can choose from in order to find the perfect tool for you. Of course, you should also pick up your favorite cannabis flower to enjoy in your new chillum.