A Guide To Cannabis Pipes: How To Buy, Use & Clean a Pipe

Pipe

Also: Hand Pipe, Marijuana Pipe

A pipe is a handheld device designed for smoking cannabis flower. Unlike more complex consumption methods, pipes are compact, easy to use, and don’t require electricity or water.

Understanding the anatomy of a pipe helps you to use and clean it properly. While designs can vary, most marijuana pipes share four basic components.³

• Bowl: This is exactly what it sounds like—a small basin on one end of the pipe that you fill with ground marijuana (and sometimes sprinkle with a little kief).
  
  
• Carb: Not every pipe has a carb, though most do, because it helps air flow through the pipe. The carb is a little hole on the side of the bowl (usually) that you can cover and uncover to control the airflow through your pipe. 
  
  
• Chamber: The chamber is basically the stem of the pipe. It’s the tube the smoke travels down to get to the mouthpiece.
  
  
• Mouthpiece: Another pretty intuitive part, the mouthpiece is where you will inhale.
  
  

Not all pipes are created equal, and that’s a good thing when you like to vary how you enjoy your cannabis. Here are some of the different pipes we carry at our dispensary locations:

Spoon pipes, also known as hand pipes, are the most common type of pipe design. They resemble a spoon, with a rounded bowl, a straight stem (chamber), and usually a side carb. They're easy to use, clean, and carry around (fitting nicely in the palm of your hand)—making them ideal for beginners or everyday smokers.

One-hitters, also called chillums, are small, discreet pipes designed for quick, single-use hits (hence the name). They’re shaped like a tube, with a small bowl for holding flower on one end and a mouthpiece on the other.

Steamrollers are straight, cylindrical pipes with one end for flower and the other for inhaling, similar to one-hitters. But they tend to have a carb and a bigger bowl, like a spoon pipe. Steamrollers offer powerful hits thanks to a special design that creates more airflow, making this pipe better suited to experienced users.

Packing the bowl of your cannabis pipe is relatively simple to master, but it may take a few tries to find your rhythm.

Before you begin, make sure your smoking kit has the following items:

• Cannabis flower
• Grinder
• Lighter
  
  

If your pipe is new, give it a rinse to make sure it doesn’t have any residue on it from the manufacturing process. Once it’s clean and dry, grab your flower, your grinder, and get to work. You should grind just enough to fill the bowl for your session. It’s better to grind and pack more than waste any of your flower.

Take a pinch of ground cannabis and set it into the bowl. As you’re packing the pipe, make sure to leave room for air flow or it won’t stay lit.

When you hold your pipe to smoke, hold it by the bowl, not the stem. This will allow you to place your finger over the top of the carb. Using your lighter, ignite the cannabis in the bowl and gently inhale. If your pipe has a carb, release your finger to draw the smoke from the chamber into your lungs. 

From there, you can repeat step three as many times as you’d like or until the marijuana is fully burned. While you certainly don’t have to clean your pipe after every session, you should empty it of any ash or debris once it’s cooled.

Choosing the right marijuana pipe for your needs can be overwhelming. Here are the areas of consideration when making your selection:

• Glass: Cannabis pipes are most frequently made of glass. This allows them to be all different shapes, sizes, colors and styles. Many cannabis connoisseurs choose glass pipes because they are non-porous. This means the smoke cannot be absorbed by the glass, meaning it doesn’t impact the taste of the flower.
  
  
• Metal: Metal pipes are durable, but they can sometimes change the flavor of the cannabis, giving it metallic undertones that many consumers find unpleasant.
  
  
• Wood: Pipes made of wood tend to have unique styles, and the type of wood used can influence and enhance the flavor of the cannabis. However, cleaning these pipes can be a challenge as wood can warp over time.

If budget is a concern for you, you’ll want to stick with the simpler glass spoons, hammers, and one-hitters. They’re less expensive to make, and therefore, more cost effective for the consumer. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, so don’t be afraid to ask your budtender to show you their budget-friendly pipe options.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the size of your pipe. For example, if you typically consume small amounts of marijuana throughout your week, a one-hitter may be the right option. Conversely, if you prefer long smoke sessions, consider a larger, non-porous hand pipe.

In the same vein as size, portability is often a factor for cannabis consumers. If you plan to take your pipe on the go, you’re not going to want anything big and bulky. Palm-sized or even a little smaller is probably better for your lifestyle.

Ultimately, there is no shortage of pipes on the market, so if you end up picking the not-quite-right pipe, you can always keep it for the right situations and purchase a new pipe that’s more suitable.

Without proper hygiene, your cannabis pipe can collect things like bacteria and mold, which you’re definitely not going to want to inhale. What’s more, the buildup from different strains of flower over time can negatively impact the taste of your flower. 

Fortunately, even for the most unmotivated of us, there are ways to make cleaning fast and easy, so you can get back to enjoying your favorite strain.

• Pipe clearners or cotton swabs
• 99% Isopropyl alcohol
• Sealable plastic bag
• Coarse salt
• Dish soap
  
  

Place your pipe in the plastic bag, then pour in enough alcohol until it is completely submerged. Then toss in a teaspoon of coarse salt.

Let your pipe soak in the mixture for about 12 hours to allow the alcohol to dissolve the resin on the pipe.

After soaking, give it a shake so that the alcohol can start to soften any resin and the salt can knock it free.

Remove the pipe from the bag and wash it in the sink under running water with dish soap. Make sure to scrub every nook and cranny, using the pipe cleaner in hard-to-reach places. Once your pipe is clean, rinse it with warm water.

Wipe your pipe with a clean cloth, then let it air dry. It will be ready for your next session in no time.

The great thing about the cannabis industry is that most people love to help other marijuana enthusiasts—us included. Here are a few answers to some questions we get on the regular:

What should I look for when buying a glass pipe?

Whether you’re talking to a budtender or looking at pipes online, you’ll want to look for the words: borosilicate annealed glass. 100% borosilicate annealed glass to be exact.⁴ This type of glass is strong, thick, and durable, making it the perfect, long-lasting material. 

What’s the difference between a piece, bowl, and pipe?

Let’s go from biggest to smallest. A “piece” is just the generic term for any sort of cannabis smoking device. Someone might say they have a piece and pull out a Sherlock or a chillum. Both would be accurately described as a “piece.” “Pipe” can also be a catch-all term, but it’s typically used to describe a handheld spoon. A “bowl” is the part of the pipe where you pack your ground marijuana flower.

Can I boil my pipe to clean it?

No, you should not boil your pipe–regardless of material–as it can weaken its structural integrity.⁵

Why is it called a bowl?

The bowl is called a bowl because it’s shaped like a bowl. Say that three times fast.

Can I clean a glass pipe without alcohol?

Yes, you can, but alcohol is the best way to ensure your pipe is squeaky clean and free of any buildup.⁶

How often should you clean your pipe?

We recommend cleaning your pipe at least once a week. If you’re a heavy consumer, you may want to do it more than once a week or rotate through more than one pipe to ensure you always have a clean one handy for your next session.

Can I use dish soap to clean my pipe?

Yes. Dish soap and water will help you rinse any alcohol or vinegar from your pipe. Just make sure you rinse your pipe with water afterward so there is no soapy residue.

Can cannabis pipes break?

Yes, any kind of cannabis pipe can break, but especially glass and ceramic pipes. Silicone and metal options are far more durable. No matter what kind of material your pipe is made out of, you’ll want to keep it in a safe place to avoid breaking it.

Purchasing a Marijuana Pipe

At one point or another, everyone was new to a marijuana pipe, so don’t be afraid to ask questions when you get to the dispensary. The budtenders are there to help you pick the right pipe for you based on how you enjoy your marijuana, your budget, and any other preferences you may have. Then, you can grab your flower and head home to enjoy your new piece.