Blog
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Qualities of Good Smoking Pipes
In the smoking culture, sometimes the quality of your experience is based on the quality of the pipe you use. Of course, the term “good” smoking pipe may vary quite a bit from one person to the next, but there are generally a handful of things to look for that will steer you in the right direction. Since smoking pipes are highly individual accessories, it’s always important to start off by finding a pipe that looks and feels good to you. Many pipes have slightly different shapes and sizes, and many smokers will take quite a bit of time picking out just the right one.
One quality of good smoking pipes that spans all the different styles is finding one without any flaws or defects in the design. You need a pipe that is easy to clean and will always deliver smoke how you want and when you want. Pipes with flaws and defects might make the smoking experience less pleasurable as there will be disruptions in the flow of the smoke as it makes its way through each piece. Stay away from pipes that have any tape or putty intended as a repair, as that will also cause problems with the performance.
Some signs of smoking pipes that are made well include a uniform grain running across the surface and a pipe that is lighter in weight. The draft hole should be positioned close to the center of the bowl and should be in perfect alignment with airhole that’s located in the stem. A good pipe will just have an overall look of quality and craftsmanship about it; like someone really cared about what they were doing when they made it.
For many smokers, the only way to go when it comes to a “good” pipe is with glass. Glass smoking pipes won’t give off the same kind of fumes as some other materials, and they won’t leave any after taste after you’re done smoking. The fact that you can see inside the chamber to know what is yet to come is also a big feature to some smokers. The glass also won’t heat up as quickly as other materials like metal, and won’t stay as hot once they do. Glass pipes are pretty fragile though, so be sure you’re going to handle with care if you want to give one a try.
Staying with the “getting the best pipe for you” theme, you will also have to set a budget before you start looking. Smoking pipes will vary in price, and it’s always good to figure out what you can afford first, then search accordingly. Make a list of all the qualities you would want in the ideal pipe for you, then use you budget as a guide to find one with as many of those qualities as possible. You may end up having to miss out on one or two features that you really wanted, but chances are you’ll still have a quality pipe that will bring you lots of happy experiences.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Characteristics of Bongs
Anyone who is immersed in the smoking culture, and even those who aren’t, has heard of bongs. Bongs are a common accessory used for smoking herbs and come in a lot of different shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Many people will be familiar with glass bongs, but they are also available in ceramic or acrylic. Those with a little creativity and no actual bong of their own even fashion them from common household items or even fruits and vegetables. It isn’t uncommon to see them made from pop cans, vases, beer bottles, plastic bottles or bamboo. Owners will often add a personal touch such as stickers or other identifying marks to set theirs apart form the rest.
Despite the fact that bongs are highly individual and do come in several different forms, there are usually some common characteristics among all of them. A mouthpiece is one part that is essential because it is where the user places his mouth when it’s time to smoke. The smoker’s mouth makes an airtight seal so he can inhale the smoke, but it’s also possible to pull the mouth away and put it back if all the smoke isn’t inhaled in one shot.
Another part of a bong that is crucial to all of them is the chamber. The chamber is the part where the smoke accumulates before it is inhaled. You can alter the amount of smoke that collects in the chamber by varying the width and length of the chambers. Bongs also must have a base, which is used to hold the water. The base is usually wider than the chamber, so it is able to stand by itself without tipping. The stem is a piece that sits in the water on an angle and sticks out of the chamber. The stem holds the bowl, also called the conepiece, and when it is used enables smoke to pass through the water. The bowl is usually removable and is where the herbs are packed and set on fire.
The water element is another characteristic that is common to bongs. The smoke passes through the water on its way through the system, which cools it before it enters the lungs. As the smoke moves through the water it makes a bubbling sound, which is also characteristic of the device. The use of a carburetor, also known as a carb, enables users to get smoke into their lungs more quickly than if they weren’t using one.
One aspect of using bongs that no one finds appealing is the used bong water. Jokes are often made about used bong water, and most people who use them will surely have a story or two. The water will start off clear, then move through various shades of green, yellow and brown. Some people like to try different things such as drinking bong water, or using alcohol-based liquid instead of water. Both of these practices are frowned upon by many veteran smokers, who feel it is best to change the water when it gets too dirty and just enjoy the smoking experience.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Benefits of Using Smoking Vaporizers
Many people hear the word vaporizers, and picture the little unit your mother used to set in your room overnight when you were sick. They are also used in the smoking culture as an accessory to create vapor or steam from herbs and water. A vaporizer is designed to enhance the smoking experience and reduce many of the potentially harmful effects of inhaling the smoke. Some smoking vaporizers are simple, while others are quite complex, but they all work to do the same thing. The way to find the one that’s best for you is to look through a handful of different models and settle on the one that fits your budget and seems to suit your needs the best.
The primary reason to use smoking vaporizers is to reduce the heat of the smoke and turn some of the chemicals that are found in the herbs to vapor before they get to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When you aren’t using vaporizers as part of the process, the temperatures of the smoke can reach in excess of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s an 800 degree Fahrenheit difference, plus the difference of inhaling vapor or pure smoke. Obviously, it isn’t completely necessary to use one in order to enjoy your experience, but many smokers find that it makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Once you have decided that you want to clean and purify your smoke with the help of vaporizers, you’ll have to choose either a direct or indirect method to heat the herbs. The direct method is known as conduction, and the indirect method is known as convection. The direct style of heating uses small metal plates to heat the herbs directly. The convection, or indirect type of vaporizer sends hot air over top of the herbs, but they never come into contact with a heating element. With direct heating, you run the risk of burning your herbs, and some smokers feel that the indirect method heats the herbs more evenly.
You can also choose to inhale the vapor directly from vaporizers, or store to inhale after the fact. You’ll usually get a greater volume of vapor with the direct lung delivery method, and some smokers feel like the stored method makes for stale tasting vapor if it’s been sitting for too long. The method you choose all depends on how you like to get the smoke into your lungs, and how much you like to inhale at any one time. If you’re unsure, it makes sense to try out each method just so you know for sure.
There are some other subtle differences among smoking vaporizers, and most smokers will realize a preference as they try different kinds and get more experience. You might prefer plastic hoses or silicone hoses to deliver the vapor, and metal or glass for the extraction chamber. Whichever kind you end up with, follow the instructions that have been set out by the manufacturer and you should always have an enjoyable time.
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Things to Consider When Selecting Smoking Pipes
If you are involved in the smoking culture, chances are you own one or more smoking pipes. For many smokers, the pipe they choose says a lot about their personality and their place in society. Smoking pipes are much more than just a means of heating up herbs and delivering them to your lungs. There are usually several different factors to consider, and the process can be pretty lengthy. If you can learn to look for some specific elements and take your time, you’ll be able to make a great choice every time.
One of the first things you should consider about your pipe is how it looks and feels to you. This pipe will become an extension of your personality, so it makes sense to take your time and get one that matches your own personality and personal style. The way to find smoking pipes that are unique and have the aesthetics that match your style is to look at a lot of pipes. Take the time to browse and hold as many pipes as you can, and you will increase the likelihood of finding just the right one.
Of course, smoking pipes that look great but aren’t constructed well won’t do you any good in the long run. You don’t want a pipe that has any obvious design flaws or issues that will make it difficult to clean, hard to keep together, or impossible to deliver smoke how you want. Avoid smoking pipes that have any disruptions in the smokestream, from the bowl to the end of the mouthpiece. Also avoid big pits or holes in the pipe that have been filled in with putty, or pipes that have been outfitted with a metal filter, as this can increase condensation.
You’ll also want to look for signs of well-made smoking pipes when you’re searching. A uniform grain along the surface of the pipe, a lighter weight, and an overall look of quality all indicate a pipe was made with care. The draft hole should also be as close the middle of the bowl as possible, and should be perfectly aligned with the airhole in the stem. Once you find one that fits your personal style and has more positive than negative qualities, you’re almost there.
Everything else aside, you have to be able to afford the smoking pipe in order to get it. One rule that many smokers like to follow is to buy the very best pipe that you can afford. You can find smoking pipes that cover a huge range of prices, and you’ll never go wrong by choosing a quality product. You want a pipe that is a good smoker and is going to give you a good experience every time. You can find good and bad pipes in all price ranges, so consider the elements of what makes a good pipe or bad pipe first, then look at the price and you can’t lose.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
How to Clean Glass Smoking Pipes
Glass smoking pipes are the preferred choice of many smokers, they are easy to handle and burn herbs cleanly and evenly. With regular use, residue will form in glass smoking pipes and you’ll have to clean them out. Using a clean pipe is a key aspect of producing smooth smoke when you burn herbs. Cleaning glass smoking pipes isn’t overly complex and can be accomplished effectively with only a handful of ingredients. Gather up your supplies before you begin, so you don’t have to stop or delay the process once you’ve started.
To clean glass pipes properly, you’ll need to get a bottle of rubbing alcohol, also called isopropyl alcohol, one plastic sandwich bag, sea salt, rubber gloves, cotton swabs and pipe cleaners. If you don’t have a plastic bag you can use virtually any container made from ceramic, plastic or metal. To start the cleaning process, hold the pipe in one hand and grab some sea salt in the other. Jam sea salt into the crevices of the glass smoking pipes, then put the pipe into the sandwich bag or container. Pour rubbing alcohol over the pipe until it is submerged. This action helps to clean smoking pipes because the alcohol works to dissolve the resin that’s caked onto the pipe, and the salt creates friction to scour debris from the inside of the pipe.
If you aren’t planning on using your pipe that night, you can just let it soak overnight to get all the grime and gunk off. Otherwise, close up the sandwich bag and shake the pipe inside the alcohol quite vigorously to release all the resin quickly. You can also remove smoking pipes from the bag and fill with alcohol and cover the holes with your fingers and shake it about for a similar effect. If the alcohol becomes black and disgusting looking, feel free to rinse everything with hot water and repeat the process. Repeat it as many times as is necessary to have clear looking alcohol when you shake the pipe up. This will remove most of the residue from glass smoking pipes.
Once the shaking and rinsing is complete and it appears that you can’t get anymore debris out of the pipe, move onto the next step. Use your cotton swabs and pipe cleaners on glass smoking pipes to clean away any remaining resin. Once it looks clean, rinse the bowl under hot water one more time, just to get any particles off that may be lingering. You can use a blow dryer to dry glass smoking pipes if you want to use it right away, or just let it air dry so it’s ready for the next use. The main objective is to clean the debris out of glass smoking pipes so they’re clean and ready to use when you want them. You can clean glass smoking pipes with costly chemical cleaners or other products designed for glass pipes, but the alcohol method is fast, inexpensive and effective.
