Weed Bowl: What Is It and Why Use It?

Marijuana in Blue Pipe and Brown Clay Bowl
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There are more ways to smoke weed than rolling them in the paper. Those looking to spice up their next smoking experience should consider buying a pipe and weed bowl. They are more convenient than smoking a joint in many ways, and some pipes are designed to provide a purer and more flavored smoke session.

Table of Contents

  1. What Does It Mean to Say “Let’s Smoke a Bowl”
  2. The Different Pipes Available
  3. Things Needed to Smoke a Weed Bowl
  4. What Is an Herb Grinder?
  5. How to Pack a Pipe
  6. How to Smoke a Weed Bowl
  7. Bowls Pros and Cons of Pipes
  8. Frequently Asked Questions About Pipes
  9. Closing Thoughts About Smoking a Weed Bowl

Table of Contents

  1. What Does It Mean to Say “Let’s Smoke a Bowl”
  2. The Different Pipes Available
  3. Things Needed to Smoke a Weed Bowl
  4. What Is an Herb Grinder?
  5. How to Pack a Pipe
  6. How to Smoke a Weed Bowl
  7. Bowls Pros and Cons of Pipes
  8. Frequently Asked Questions About Pipes
  9. Closing Thoughts About Smoking a Weed Bowl

What Is a Weed Bowl?

The “bowl” is a chamber in a pipe in which marijuana buds are packed. The bowl has an airpath that leads to the mouthpiece, which is puffed to get the leaves burning. When someone says, “I’m going to smoke a bowl,” it is a colloquial expression for smoking marijuana from a pipe.

A pipe for smoking marijuana is nearly the same as a tobacco pipe. They have many of the same parts. Except, marijuana pipes have a bit more variation.

Some pipes are a bowl and pipe setup, while some have chambers for water. Others, like bongs, are designed to be set up on a desk.

The “bowl” is a chamber in a pipe in which marijuana buds are packed. The bowl has an airpath that leads to the mouthpiece, which is puffed to get the leaves burning. When someone says, “I’m going to smoke a bowl,” it is a colloquial expression for smoking marijuana from a pipe.

A pipe for smoking marijuana is nearly the same as a tobacco pipe. They have many of the same parts. Except, marijuana pipes have a bit more variation.

Some pipes are a bowl and pipe setup, while some have chambers for water. Others, like bongs, are designed to be set up on a desk.

Types of Weed Pipes

arijuana in two colorful glass pipes in hand
Vuk Stajic/Shutterstock

Spoons

A Spoon is the most well-known of all pipe designs. On one end is the bowl and the pipe protrudes from it. It resembles a spoon, hence the name.

The side of the spoon has a carb hole that allows the user to control the airflow, and there is also a hole connecting the pipe and spoon. A spoon can be made from glass or silicone. The pros and cons of both are addressed further down.

arijuana in two colorful glass pipes in hand
Vuk Stajic/Shutterstock

Spoons

A Spoon is the most well-known of all pipe designs. On one end is the bowl and the pipe protrudes from it. It resembles a spoon, hence the name.

The side of the spoon has a carb hole that allows the user to control the airflow, and there is also a hole connecting the pipe and spoon. A spoon can be made from glass or silicone. The pros and cons of both are addressed further down.

Bongs

Bongs are large pipes with a water chamber in addition to the bowl and pipe. Glass bongs are best used at a table.

When the user takes a draw, the smoke goes through the water chamber, which cools and filters the smoke. The result is a cooler, purer, and better-tasting smoke session.

The advantage of using a glass bong is that the user gets a cooler and cleaner stream of smoke. However, it can be unwieldy and is not portable.

Bongs

Bongs are large pipes with a water chamber in addition to the bowl and pipe. Glass bongs are best used at a table.

When the user takes a draw, the smoke goes through the water chamber, which cools and filters the smoke. The result is a cooler, purer, and better-tasting smoke session.

The advantage of using a glass bong is that the user gets a cooler and cleaner stream of smoke. However, it can be unwieldy and is not portable.

Bubblers

Bubblers are small bongs that function similarly to a glass spoon pipe, except they have a small glass water chamber that purifies the smoke.

They are handheld, and the mouth-end of a joint can be placed opposite the mouthpiece. These are good glass pipes because they are similar to a glass bong but are portable and easier to handle.

Bubblers

Bubblers are small bongs that function similarly to a glass spoon pipe, except they have a small glass water chamber that purifies the smoke.

They are handheld, and the mouth-end of a joint can be placed opposite the mouthpiece. These are good glass pipes because they are similar to a glass bong but are portable and easier to handle.

hillums

Chillums are small glass tubes where one end is packed with cannabis. That end is lit, and the draw is taken through the mouth-end. Having a chillum eliminates the need to buy paper. Plus, there is no burning paper that affects the taste of the smoke.

hillums

Chillums are small glass tubes where one end is packed with cannabis. That end is lit, and the draw is taken through the mouth-end. Having a chillum eliminates the need to buy paper. Plus, there is no burning paper that affects the taste of the smoke.

Glass Dab Rings

Dab rigs are similar to bongs, except that the cannabis is not burned but vaporized. Also, the pipe is designed for potent dry herbs and concentrates.

A nail or banger is used to heat the herbs. The herbs are vaporized, and the vapor is drawn through a glass pipe and water chamber.

Glass rigs are great for people who want to have some variety since they can vaporize dry herbs and concentrates. However, the price tag can run relatively high, and they are not portable.

Glass Dab Rings

Dab rigs are similar to bongs, except that the cannabis is not burned but vaporized. Also, the pipe is designed for potent dry herbs and concentrates.

A nail or banger is used to heat the herbs. The herbs are vaporized, and the vapor is drawn through a glass pipe and water chamber.

Glass rigs are great for people who want to have some variety since they can vaporize dry herbs and concentrates. However, the price tag can run relatively high, and they are not portable.

What You Need to Smoke a Weed Bowl

Several things need to be bought before smoking a bowl. A pipe with a bowl, lighter, and some weed is necessary. Smokers will also need to purchase weed and a tamping tool to pack the herbs in the glass pipe. A wick is easier to use than a lighter. A lighter can burn the smoker’s finger, but a wick will not. The wick is hung over the glass pipe until the weed starts burning.

Grinders are also necessary. A smoker cannot take the weed from the bag and stuff it in the pipe. A grinder is needed to shred the herbs so that they burn more efficiently and evenly.

Several things need to be bought before smoking a bowl. A pipe with a bowl, lighter, and some weed is necessary. Smokers will also need to purchase weed and a tamping tool to pack the herbs in the glass pipe. A wick is easier to use than a lighter. A lighter can burn the smoker’s finger, but a wick will not. The wick is hung over the glass pipe until the weed starts burning.

Grinders are also necessary. A smoker cannot take the weed from the bag and stuff it in the pipe. A grinder is needed to shred the herbs so that they burn more efficiently and evenly.

How to Use an Herb Grinder

Cannabis buds, grinder with fresh marijuana
Dmytro Tyshchenko/Shutterstock

Herb hand grinders are easy to use, and there are several kinds available at varying prices. There are two piece hand grinders and five piece grinders with kief catchers.

New users should get a two piece grinder. If the user likes smoking bowls, he or she can buy something with more pieces.

  • First, open the grinder by pulling or twisting off the lid
  • Evenly place the bud in the “teeth” of the grinder
  • Close the grinder and twist it for several seconds
  • Open the grinder and look at the weed.
  • If the weed is the desired consistency, empty it. If not, repeat.

Be sure not to grind the marijuana too fine because the herbs could burn too quickly or unevenly. Secondly, remember to periodically clean the grinder, even if the directions say cleaning is unnecessary.

Cannabis buds, grinder with fresh marijuana
Dmytro Tyshchenko/Shutterstock

Herb hand grinders are easy to use, and there are several kinds available at varying prices. There are two piece hand grinders and five piece grinders with kief catchers.

New users should get a two piece grinder. If the user likes smoking bowls, he or she can buy something with more pieces.

  • First, open the grinder by pulling or twisting off the lid
  • Evenly place the bud in the “teeth” of the grinder
  • Close the grinder and twist it for several seconds
  • Open the grinder and look at the weed.
  • If the weed is the desired consistency, empty it. If not, repeat.

Be sure not to grind the marijuana too fine because the herbs could burn too quickly or unevenly. Secondly, remember to periodically clean the grinder, even if the directions say cleaning is unnecessary.

How to Pack a Weed Bowl

  • Dump the contents of the grinder into a container and then grab the bowl.
  • For a standard glass bowl and pipe set up, take bits of weed and stuff it into the bowl, packing it until three-quarters of the way full.
  • Filling it three-quarters full will make it easier to light the pipe.
  • Also, make sure that the pipe is packed tight but not too tight. It will be difficult to draw air through if the pipe is too tight, and the fire will die.
  • A tamping tool can be used in addition to a fingertip.

  • Dump the contents of the grinder into a container and then grab the bowl.
  • For a standard glass bowl and pipe set up, take bits of weed and stuff it into the bowl, packing it until three-quarters of the way full.
  • Filling it three-quarters full will make it easier to light the pipe.
  • Also, make sure that the pipe is packed tight but not too tight. It will be difficult to draw air through if the pipe is too tight, and the fire will die.
  • A tamping tool can be used in addition to a fingertip.

How to Smoke a Weed Bowl

After the bowl is packed, place the glass pipe end in the mouth and partially cover the bowl with the palm of the hand.

  1. Light the lighter or wick, and put the flame over the herbs.
  2. Repeatedly take long puffs on the pipe, steadily drawing air through the pipe until the cannabis is glowing like coal.
  3. Leave the palm partially covering the bowl so that the wind does not put out the coals.
  4. Once the weed is burning, take a short pull.
  5. Make sure it is not too powerful of a draw, or the lungs and throat could be irritated, starting a coughing fit.
  6. Take it slow at first, and gradually increase the lengths of each pull.

After the bowl is packed, place the glass pipe end in the mouth and partially cover the bowl with the palm of the hand.

  1. Light the lighter or wick, and put the flame over the herbs.
  2. Repeatedly take long puffs on the pipe, steadily drawing air through the pipe until the cannabis is glowing like coal.
  3. Leave the palm partially covering the bowl so that the wind does not put out the coals.
  4. Once the weed is burning, take a short pull.
  5. Make sure it is not too powerful of a draw, or the lungs and throat could be irritated, starting a coughing fit.
  6. Take it slow at first, and gradually increase the lengths of each pull.

How to Hand Clean a Glass Weed Bowl

Pipes are easy to clean.

  1. When the pipe is finished, empty the ashes into a rubbish bin.
  2. Afterward, clean out the pipe with a damp q-tip or cotton ball, removing as much carbon as possible from inside.
  3. Clean the pipe using a wire pipe cleaner. If the pipe is not cleaned, the residue from the burned cannabis will build up inside and obstruct the air path.

How to Hand Clean a Glass Weed Bowl

Pipes are easy to clean.

  1. When the pipe is finished, empty the ashes into a rubbish bin.
  2. Afterward, clean out the pipe with a damp q-tip or cotton ball, removing as much carbon as possible from inside.
  3. Clean the pipe using a wire pipe cleaner. If the pipe is not cleaned, the residue from the burned cannabis will build up inside and obstruct the air path.

The Pros and Cons of Weed Bowls

Bowls have their advantages and disadvantages.

  1. The most significant benefit is the bowls are simple and straightforward to use, and clean.
  2. Secondly, heated glass leaves no residual flavors, smells, or contaminants.
  3. Finally, they can be used repeatedly without affecting the taste much, so long as they are kept clean.
  4. The main disadvantage of glass bowls is that they can easily break or chip easily. This usually happens by accident or when emptying the ashes.

Bowls have their advantages and disadvantages.

  1. The most significant benefit is the bowls are simple and straightforward to use, and clean.
  2. Secondly, heated glass leaves no residual flavors, smells, or contaminants.
  3. Finally, they can be used repeatedly without affecting the taste much, so long as they are kept clean.
  4. The main disadvantage of glass bowls is that they can easily break or chip easily. This usually happens by accident or when emptying the ashes.

The Benefits of a Weed Bowl vs. Joints

The primary advantage of bowls over joints is not having to worry about buying paper every so often. However, nothing can affect the taste of a weed bowl as poorly chosen or made paper can. Weed bowls get higher than joints and use up less weed.

The Benefits of a Weed Bowl vs. Joints

The primary advantage of bowls over joints is not having to worry about buying paper every so often. However, nothing can affect the taste of a weed bowl as poorly chosen or made paper can. Weed bowls get higher than joints and use up less weed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Pipes

Are Silicone Hand Pipes Better Than Glass Pipes?

The answer to that question primarily depends on the smoker’s preferences. Silicone has its advantages.

  1. The most significant advantage of silicone hand pipes is that they are durable, portable, and lightweight.
  2. Secondly, they are easier to clean.
  3. However, the material is vulnerable to flame, and the flavor is not as pure as glass, meaning that the lungs are inhaling burned silicone fumes.

Are Silicone Hand Pipes Better Than Glass Pipes?

The answer to that question primarily depends on the smoker’s preferences. Silicone has its advantages.

  1. The most significant advantage of silicone hand pipes is that they are durable, portable, and lightweight.
  2. Secondly, they are easier to clean.
  3. However, the material is vulnerable to flame, and the flavor is not as pure as glass, meaning that the lungs are inhaling burned silicone fumes.

Where Can I Buy Weed for a Weed Bowl?

Always buy weed from a dispensary or a licensed business like a smoke shop. First off, buying weed from someone on the street is illegal and could incur trouble. Secondly, weed off the street varies in quality, and sometimes it is cut with dangerous additives.

It is a good idea to buy weed pipes, as well as herb grinders in vape and smoke shops.

Where Can I Buy Weed for a Weed Bowl?

Always buy weed from a dispensary or a licensed business like a smoke shop. First off, buying weed from someone on the street is illegal and could incur trouble. Secondly, weed off the street varies in quality, and sometimes it is cut with dangerous additives.

It is a good idea to buy weed pipes, as well as herb grinders in vape and smoke shops.

Can I Pack a Weed Bowl Without a Screen?

A screen is an accessory used for packing and smoking a hand weed bowl. The screen is a small wire mesh that fits inside the glass pipe and the bud placed over it.

The advantage of using a screen is that it prevents the ashes and leaves from getting inside the pipe, which can obstruct the airpath. Thus, using one reduces the need to clean it frequently.

However, a bowl of cannabis can be packed without using one, and it will not negatively affect the smoking experience. The user will only have to clean the pipe more often.

Can I Pack a Weed Bowl Without a Screen?

A screen is an accessory used for packing and smoking a hand weed bowl. The screen is a small wire mesh that fits inside the glass pipe and the bud placed over it.

The advantage of using a screen is that it prevents the ashes and leaves from getting inside the pipe, which can obstruct the airpath. Thus, using one reduces the need to clean it frequently.

However, a bowl of cannabis can be packed without using one, and it will not negatively affect the smoking experience. The user will only have to clean the pipe more often.

How Many Hits Can I Get From a Glass Weed Bowl?

A weed bowl can last anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on how much weed is packed inside. In that amount of time, an average person should be able to get several dozen hits off the pipe.

How Many Hits Can I Get From a Glass Weed Bowl?

A weed bowl can last anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on how much weed is packed inside. In that amount of time, an average person should be able to get several dozen hits off the pipe.

How Long Does a Weed Bowl Stay in Your System?

The length of time weed stays inside one’s system depends on the person’s metabolism, weight, and other factors. Generally, it can stay in someone’s body for several weeks.

THC remains detectable in urine from 24 hours to 30 days. Chronic users are more likely to have THC in their urine for more extended periods than one-time smokers.

How Long Does a Weed Bowl Stay in Your System?

The length of time weed stays inside one’s system depends on the person’s metabolism, weight, and other factors. Generally, it can stay in someone’s body for several weeks.

THC remains detectable in urine from 24 hours to 30 days. Chronic users are more likely to have THC in their urine for more extended periods than one-time smokers.

Closing Thoughts on Using a Weed Pipe

A hand glass weed bowl is a good option for those who want to smoke but get a purer taste. They cut out the need to buy shatter and oils, and other marijuana products unless a dab rig is used.

Additionally, many pipes utilize the weed bowl and pipe setup, meaning that smokers have many options from which to choose. Overall, they are one of the best purchases a cannabis user can make.

There are a few cons, like the need for cleaning and the slight chance they can break. But they are highly outweighed by the advantages.

If you smoke from glass bowls and pipes and want to weigh in, please leave a comment below. We appreciate comments from experienced smokers. Your comments about pipes will help new smokers educate themselves on the benefits of marijuana and other cannabis products.

A hand glass weed bowl is a good option for those who want to smoke but get a purer taste. They cut out the need to buy shatter and oils, and other marijuana products unless a dab rig is used.

Additionally, many pipes utilize the weed bowl and pipe setup, meaning that smokers have many options from which to choose. Overall, they are one of the best purchases a cannabis user can make.

There are a few cons, like the need for cleaning and the slight chance they can break. But they are highly outweighed by the advantages.

If you smoke from glass bowls and pipes and want to weigh in, please leave a comment below. We appreciate comments from experienced smokers. Your comments about pipes will help new smokers educate themselves on the benefits of marijuana and other cannabis products.

Published: August 2, 2021


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