Choosing Your First Piece of Glass
Hand pipe, bubbler or water pipe? A plain-English guide to finding a piece that fits how you like to smoke.
By the Much Love team
Key Takeaways
- There are only a few main styles, and the right one depends on how and where you smoke.
- Hand pipes are the simplest start; water pipes give the smoothest hits.
- Thicker glass is more forgiving, and simpler shapes are quicker to clean.
- The best way to choose is to hold a few in store.
Start With How You Smoke
Walking up to a wall of glass for the first time can be a lot. The good news: there are only a few main styles, and the right one mostly comes down to two questions. Where will you use it, and how smooth do you want it?
Hand Pipes
Small, simple and easy to carry. Hand pipes are a great first piece: there is nothing to fill, and they are easy to clean. The trade-off is a hotter, less filtered hit.
Bubblers
A bubbler is a hand pipe with a small water chamber. You get smoother hits than a dry pipe while keeping it compact. It is a good middle ground if you want a bit more comfort without a big piece on the table.
Water Pipes
Water pipes cool and filter the smoke the most, which means the smoothest hits. They are bigger, better for home, and come with options like percolators that add even more filtration.
Side by Side
| Style | Smoothness | Portability | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand pipe | Lower | Excellent | Easy |
| Bubbler | Medium | Good | Medium |
| Water pipe | Highest | Home use | More involved |
What to Look For
- Thickness. Thicker glass is more forgiving of knocks.
- Size. Think about where it will live and how often it travels.
- Cleaning. Simpler shapes are quicker to clean.
- Silicone. If you are clumsy, a silicone piece will not break.
The best way to choose is to hold a few. Come in and the team will put some options in your hands.
FAQs
What is the easiest piece to clean?
A simple hand pipe. With no water chamber and few joints, a quick soak and a pipe cleaner does the job.
Is a silicone piece a good first choice?
It can be. Silicone is nearly unbreakable and easy to travel with, which makes it a popular pick for beginners.
Share this story
