Glass pieces are among the most popular smoking devices used today. They provide numerous benefits over pipes made out of other materials, such as wood or metal.
Some of the most noteworthy benefits of using glass pieces are:
- No taste or smell imparted to the smoke
- No fumes produced when heated
- Allows users to see how much smoke is in the chamber
- Low thermal condictivity – does not get hot too quickly
- Does not stay hot for very long
Different types of glass pieces
Glass pieces come in many different designs. We have listed some of the most common types below.
Hand pipes – As the name suggests, hand pipes are small enough to fit into your hand or in a pocket or purse. The simplest type of glass piece you can buy, hand pipes usually consist of a single piece of glass. Depending on the design, they may or may not feature a carb.
Bubblers – Bubblers are simply smaller versions of water pipes. Only slightly bigger than hand pipes, bubblers can be easily carried on your person. These types of pipes usually require more frequent cleaning than larger glass water pipes.
Water pipe – Water pipes are similar in design to bubblers but considerably larger. Often featuring several components that work together, standalone water pipes typically include a bowl and downstem combo, a main chamber and a mouthpiece.
Hookahs – Hookahs are similar in design to water pipes, although they do not always pass the smoke through water. They may also feature multiple hoses/mouthpiece combos that enable simultaneous use by several people.
Special design pieces – There are also glass piece designs that combine features of the above-mentioned examples. Bubbler and water pipe combos are fairly common, as are multiple-chambered water pipes.
Choosing a glass piece
If you’re thinking of purchasing a new glass piece, be sure to choose wisely. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a pipe. These include design, size, durability, features, and efficiency.
Design – The design element determines how simple and easy the pipe is to use. You should choose a glass piece based on this consideration, as well as how it appeals to your sense of aesthetics.
Size – Glass pieces range in size from handheld models that you can carry with you wherever you go, to standalone glass pipes that are intended for stationary use. You should choose a glass piece by weighing your need for portability and convenience versus stability and performance.
Durability – Glass is quite fragile by nature, and can easily break if you drop it. However, certain types of glass have remarkable heat- and impact-resistant properties, meaning they can withstand the repetitive application of high temperatures.
Features – When purchasing a glass piece, you should choose the one with the features you actually need. A packed feature set may be impressive on paper, but they can make a pipe larger, and more difficult to use. Simple designs usually provide the best performance and ease of use.
Efficiency – A glass piece should deliver clean and pure smoke with no aftertaste or unpleasant odors. It should also use up herbs efficiently, with little or no wastage.
We hope this has given you enough information to help you in choosing the glass piece that is right for you. Need some more inspiration? Check out the glass pieces we have on offer.