Pipes & Rigs 101

Both flower and dabs have gotten hugely popular, offering some of the purest forms of cannabinoids and terpenes possible. So, if you’re going to go with smokable hemp products, you need to make sure you have the right pipe or rig, because this will influence how well your smoking or dabbing experience will go overall. That’s why we are going to cover everything you need to know about these, as that way, you can make a better buying decision, in order to get your smoke or dab on.

What are the Different Types of Pipes and Rigs?

Smoking pipes and rigs come in various types and styles, each offering a unique experience, as choice often depends on personal preference, the substance being smoked, and the desired smoking experience.

Here are some common types:

1. Hand Pipes: Compact and portable, hand pipes are the most common type of smoking pipe. They come in various shapes like the classic spoon pipe, Sherlock pipes (resembling Sherlock Holmes' pipe), and novelty pipes with creative designs.
2. Water Pipes (Bongs): Water pipes, commonly known as bongs, use water to cool and filter smoke. They come in various sizes and designs, including straight-tube, beaker-shaped, and multi-chamber bongs.
3. Bubblers: A hybrid between a hand pipe and a bong, bubblers are smaller than bongs but use water for filtration like a bong. They're portable like hand pipes but offer smoother hits due to the water filtration.
4. Dab Rigs: Specifically designed for consuming dabs (concentrated forms of cannabis), dab rigs are similar to bongs but have a nail or banger instead of a bowl. They are used to heat the concentrate and produce vapor.
5. Chillums: Chillums are simple, straight tubes with no carburetor. They're one of the most ancient forms of smoking pipes, typically small and easy to use. In some cultures, particularly among certain Hindu sects like the Sadhus in India, the use of a chillum has spiritual significance and is associated with religious rituals and practices. In traditional settings, chillums are often smoked in a group. It's passed around in a circle, with each person taking a hit before passing it to the next person.
6. Steamrollers: Known for their intense hits, steamrollers have a tube design with the bowl on top. They have openings on both ends and a carburetor for better airflow control.
7. One-Hitters and Dugouts: One-hitters are small pipes designed for a single inhalation, or "hit”. They often come with a dugout, a small container with two compartments for the one-hitter and the substance.
8. Hookahs: Originating from India and the Middle East, hookahs are water pipes designed for smoking flavored tobacco. They often have multiple hoses, allowing several people to smoke simultaneously.
9. Glass Blunts: A newer type, glass blunts allow users to load dry herbs into a glass tube with a sliding mechanism to ash and reload easily.

How Exactly are Hand Pipes Used?

Hand pipes are a type of smoking device often used for tobacco or other legal herbs. They are generally small, easy to use, and portable. Below is a basic guide on how to use a hand pipe:

1. Grinding the Material: First, you need to grind the tobacco or herbs finely. This helps in even burning.
2. Packing the Bowl: The hand pipe typically has a bowl at one end where you place your ground material. Pack the bowl with your ground tobacco or herbs, but not too tightly as you need air to pass through for it to burn efficiently.
3. Holding the Pipe: Hold the pipe with your dominant hand. Many hand pipes have a small hole on the side of the bowl known as a 'carb'. You cover this hole with your thumb or finger when you start to inhale.
4. Lighting the Pipe: Use a lighter or a match to ignite the material in the bowl. As you light it, inhale gently from the mouthpiece of the pipe. This draws the flame into the bowl.
5. Inhaling: Once the material is lit, you can inhale the smoke through the mouthpiece. If there's a carb, release it towards the end of your inhalation to clear the smoke from the pipe.
6. Extinguishing the Material: If you want to stop smoking, you can either let the material burn out on its own or gently tap the pipe to extinguish it. Make sure the pipe is completely out before storing it.
7. Cleaning the Pipe: After use, it's important to clean your pipe to ensure it remains hygienic and functions well. Remove any residue and use pipe cleaners or a similar tool to clean the stem and bowl.

How Exactly are Water Pipes (Bongs) Used?

A water pipe/bong can be used for smoking various substances, though predominantly used for tobacco, cannabis, and other herbal substances. Here is how it is generally used:

1. Water Filling: First, the bong is partially filled with water. The amount of water varies depending on the size and design of the bong, but typically it's enough to cover the bottom portion of the downstem.
2. Packing the Bowl: The bowl, which is a small, cup-shaped component, is packed with the smoking material. It's important not to pack it too tightly to allow for proper airflow.
3. Lighting and Inhaling: The smoker then places their mouth on the mouthpiece of the bong. As they light the substance in the bowl, they simultaneously inhale. This draws the smoke down through the downstem and into the water, where it bubbles up into the chamber.
4. Smoke Cooling and Filtration: As the smoke passes through the water, it cools down and some of the heavier particles are filtered out. This makes the smoke smoother and cooler than it would be if smoked through a dry pipe.
5. Inhaling the Smoke: After enough smoke has accumulated in the chamber, the user can inhale it. In some bongs, there is a small hole called a carburetor, or simply a "carb", which is covered during the initial smoking process. Releasing the carb (or removing the bowl if there's no carb) allows fresh air to enter the bong, pushing the smoke into the lungs more easily.
6. Exhaling and Cleaning: After inhaling the smoke, the user exhales. It's crucial to clean the bong regularly, as resin and other byproducts from the smoking material can accumulate inside, affecting the taste and cleanliness of the smoke.

How Exactly are Bubblers Used?

A smoking bubbler has similar functions to a bong, despite its portable size, as this is how it’s used:

1. Water: Fill the bubbler with a small amount of water. The water helps cool and filter the smoke.
2. Packing the Bowl: Grind your smoking material and pack it into the bowl of the bubbler. Be sure not to pack it too tightly, as this can restrict airflow.
3. Lighting: Hold the bubbler and put the mouthpiece to your lips. Light the bowl with a lighter or match while inhaling gently. The smoke will travel from the bowl, through the water (where it's cooled and filtered), and up the stem to your mouth.
4. Inhaling: Once you've lit the bowl, inhale the smoke. If your bubbler has a carb (a small hole), cover it with your finger when you begin to inhale and release it as you finish your draw. This action clears the smoke from inside the bubbler, making it easier to inhale all the smoke.
5. Exhaling and Repeat: After inhaling, exhale the smoke. You can then repeat the process as desired.
6. Cleaning: Regular cleaning of your bubbler is important for maintenance and ensuring a pleasant smoking experience. Resin and tar can build up over time, which can affect the taste and smoothness of the smoke.

How Exactly are Dab Rigs Used?

Dab rigs are specialized devices used for consuming concentrates like wax, oil, or resin. Now, since dabbing involves high temperatures and potent concentrates, you must handle everything with care and also understand your tolerance levels. Always ensure, too, good ventilation in the area where you're dabbing.

Preparation:

Choose Your Concentrate: First, choose the type of concentrate you want to use. This could be wax, shatter, oil, or resin.

Set Up the Rig: Ensure your dab rig is clean and ready. It typically consists of a glass body, a nail or banger (the bowl where the concentrate is placed), a dome (if needed), and a dabber (a small tool to apply the concentrate).

Heating:

Heat the Nail: Use a butane torch to heat the nail or banger of your dab rig until it's glowing red. This is usually done for about 20-30 seconds, but it can vary based on the material of the nail (quartz, ceramic, or titanium).

Cool Down: Let the nail cool for a bit. The ideal temperature for dabbing is around 350-400°F (177-204°C). Waiting for about 10-45 seconds after heating is generally recommended, depending on the material of the nail and your temperature preference.

Dabbing:

Apply the Concentrate: Use the dabber to apply a small amount of concentrate to the nail or banger. As the concentrate touches the hot surface, it will vaporize.

Inhale: As you apply the concentrate, simultaneously inhale through the mouthpiece of the rig. The vapor travels from the nail through the water chamber (if your rig has one) and then to the mouthpiece.

Cap It (If Applicable): If your rig has a carb cap, use it to cover the nail or banger after applying the concentrate. This helps regulate airflow and temperature, allowing for a more efficient vaporization of the concentrate.

Aftercare:

Clean the Nail: After you're done, it's important to clean the nail to remove any residue. This can usually be done with a cotton swab. Some people heat the nail again briefly to burn off any leftover residue.

Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean your rig to prevent residue build-up and maintain the best flavor and experience.

How Exactly are Chillums Used?

Typically used for smoking tobacco, charas (a form of cannabis), or other herbal substances, this is the pretty straightforward process of how to use one:

1. Packing the Chillum: The bowl of the chillum, which is usually conical or cylindrical, is filled with the smoking substance. The amount and type of substance depend on the user's preference.
2. Using a Cloth or Stone Filter: Often, a small cloth or stone filter, known as a 'saf', is inserted into the chillum to prevent inhalation of the substance or ash. This also helps to cool down the smoke.
3. Holding the Chillum: The chillum is held vertically or at a slight angle. It’s traditionally held between the ring and middle finger, but methods can vary.
4. Lighting and Smoking: The substance in the chillum is lit, and the user inhales from the opposite end. Sometimes, hands or a piece of cloth are used to create a space between the chillum and the mouth, which helps cool the smoke.
5. Cleaning: After use, the chillum is cleaned to remove residue. This ensures that the flavors and quality of smoke are maintained for future use.

How Exactly are Steamrollers Used?

Steamrollers are known for their simplicity and the strong, unfiltered hits they provide. They can vary in size and material, with some being made from glass, while others might be made from metal or wood. Here’s how they are used smoking tobacco, herbs, or other substances:

1. Loading the Bowl: The substance to be smoked is placed in the bowl, which is usually located at one end of the steamroller. The bowl often has a larger size compared to other types of pipes.
2. Carb Hole: Most steamrollers have a carb hole at one end. The user covers this hole with their finger or hand when beginning to inhale.
3. Inhaling: The user lights the substance in the bowl while covering the carb hole and inhales deeply from the other end of the pipe. This action draws the smoke through the pipe.
4. Releasing the Carb: Towards the end of the inhalation, the user releases the carb hole. This allows air to enter and pushes the smoke more rapidly into the lungs, which can result in a more intense experience compared to other smoking methods.
5. Exhaling: After inhaling the smoke, the user then exhales.

How Exactly are One-Hitters and Dugouts Used?

A one-hitter and a dugout are tools commonly used for smoking tobacco or other herbs:

• Dugout: This is a small, usually wooden box that has two compartments. One compartment stores the one-hitter, which is a small pipe, and the other is for storing the smoking material (like tobacco or herbs). The dugout is designed for convenience and portability, allowing users to carry everything they need in one compact case.
• One-Hitter: The one-hitter is a small pipe that typically holds enough material for a single inhalation, and it often resembles a cigarette for discretion.

Here is how to use them properly:

1. Fill the Storage Compartment: The user fills the storage compartment of the dugout with their smoking material.
2. Load the One-Hitter: To load the one-hitter, the user presses it into the compartment containing the smoking material. This action typically packs the end of the one-hitter with enough material for one hit.
3. Smoke: The user then lights the end of the one-hitter and inhales. Because of its size, the one-hitter is usually good for one or two inhales before needing to be repacked.
4. Discreet and Convenient: The combination of a one-hitter and a dugout provides a discreet and convenient way to carry and use smoking materials, especially while on the go.
5. Cleaning: After use, the one-hitter should be cleaned to ensure it doesn't get clogged and to maintain hygiene.

How Exactly are Hookahs Used?

A hookah, also known as a shisha or water pipe, is used for smoking flavored tobacco. Hookah smoking is often a social activity, enjoyed in groups at hookah bars or cafes, or in private settings.

Preparation of the Hookah:

Water Chamber: The bottom of the hookah is a glass or plastic water chamber. Water is filled to a certain level, usually enough to submerge the downstem by about an inch.

Tobacco Bowl: At the top, there's a bowl where the flavored tobacco, also known as shisha, is placed. This tobacco is often sweetened with molasses or fruit and comes in a variety of flavors.

Heating: The tobacco is covered with a small piece of perforated foil or a metal screen. Hot coals, usually made from compressed charcoal, are then placed on top of the foil or screen to heat the tobacco.

Smoking Process:

Inhaling: When a smoker inhales through the mouthpiece attached to a flexible tube, air is drawn through the coals, heating the tobacco.

Smoke Production: The heat from the coals vaporizes the tobacco, producing smoke. This smoke is drawn through the downstem and bubbles up through the water in the chamber.

Filtration and Cooling: The water in the hookah doesn't filter the smoke but cools it. This makes the smoke smoother and less harsh when inhaled.

Exhaling the Smoke: After passing through the water, the smoke is drawn up through another hose or pipe and is then inhaled by the user. The water does not filter out harmful substances but does cool the smoke, making it smoother once again to inhale and then exhale.

Shared Experience:

Hookahs often have multiple mouthpieces, allowing for a shared smoking experience in social settings.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

After use, the hookah should be disassembled and cleaned to maintain hygiene and ensure a pleasant smoking experience in future uses.

How Exactly are Glass Blunts Used?

Glass blunts are a type of smoking device used for consuming herbs, such as tobacco or cannabis. They work as a reusable, glass version of a traditional blunt. This is how they are typically used:

1. Grinding the Herbs: First, you need to grind your herbs to a fine consistency. This helps them burn evenly.
2. Loading the Glass Blunt: Open one end of the glass blunt and start packing the ground herbs into it. Most glass blunts have a twisting mechanism that helps in evenly distributing the herbs as you load them.
3. Packing the Herbs: Once the glass blunt is loaded, you can use a small tool or the blunt’s twisting mechanism to pack the herbs tightly. This ensures a smooth burn.
4. Lighting the Blunt: Light the open end of the glass blunt where the herbs are loaded. You should rotate the blunt as you light it to ensure an even burn.
5. Inhaling the Smoke: Inhale from the mouthpiece at the opposite end. Glass blunts usually provide a clean and smooth smoking experience since there’s no paper involved.
6. Ashing the Blunt: As the herbs burn, you can twist the mechanism to push the ash out and bring fresh herbs to the front. This way, you can keep smoking without having to re-light the herbs frequently.
7. Cleaning After Use: After use, it's important to clean the glass blunt. Most can be easily disassembled and cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and salt or a specialized cleaning solution.

What are the Pros & Cons of Using Pipes & Rigs?

As you can see, smoking pipes and rigs can be a nice choice for consuming cannabis, herbs, and other substances. Still, each type has its own set of pros and cons, which vary depending on individual preferences and the specific context of use.

Smoking Pipes

Pros:

Portability: Pipes are typically small and easy to carry, making them convenient for on-the-go use.

Ease of Use: They are simple to operate, requiring minimal setup and maintenance.

Affordability: Pipes are generally less expensive than more complex smoking apparatuses.

Flavor Preservation: Some users believe that pipes preserve the flavor of the smoked substance better than other methods.

Variety in Design: Pipes come in a wide range of designs, materials, and styles, allowing for personal expression.

Cons:

Limited Filtration: Pipes typically have less filtration compared to water-based rigs, potentially leading to a harsher smoke.

Maintenance: Residue buildup requires regular cleaning to maintain optimal functionality and taste.

Fragility: Many pipes, especially glass ones, are fragile and can break easily if dropped.

Smoking Rigs

Pros:

Filtration: Water in the rig helps filter out some of the tar and particulates, potentially resulting in a smoother smoke.

Cooling Effect: The water cools the smoke, making the inhalation process less harsh on the throat and lungs.

Potency and Efficiency: Rigs can be more efficient in delivering a potent experience, often requiring less substance.

Variety: Like pipes, rigs come in many designs and sizes, offering a range of aesthetic choices.

Cons:

Size and Portability: Rigs are often larger and less portable than pipes.

Complexity and Maintenance: They can be more complex to use and require regular cleaning to prevent mold and residue buildup.

Cost: Rigs can be more expensive than pipes, especially more elaborate models.

The Calm Leaf Has Your Smoking Pipes and Rigs Needs Covered!

Our selection of pipes and rigs offer all kinds of options including different sizes, features, visual elements, and materials. Basically, there really is something for everyone. All of these hardware pieces come from well-known manufacturers recognized for making durable, reliable, and user-friendly products, like Marley Natural, Staache, Goodekind, DynaVap, and more. We understand, too, that everyone has their own desires when it comes to how they enjoy their dabs or pipes, and we’re here to provide exactly what you need in order to take your sessions to the next level.