Dry herb is still the name of the game and when it comes to smoking devices, pipes continue to remain popular despite the fact that they’re one of the oldest methods. If you’re looking for new pipes that stand out above the rest, add a ceramic piece to your shopping cart. Though it’s often overlooked, ceramic is a great material for smoking and offers a unique look and feel that you can’t get with glass, silicone, or metal. Many people in the cannabis community enjoy the retro vibe of ceramic that immediately makes them think of the era of free love or puffing away and soaking up the sunshine while listening to the rumble of the ocean waves. Many ceramic pipes are handmade and one-of-a-kind works of art that you’ll want to add to your collection. Don’t just take our word for it. Read on to learn more about this overlooked material, the benefits of ceramic, how a ceramic weed pipe is made, and the different types of new pipes available.
What is a ceramic pipe?
Pipes are one of the oldest and most basic smoking devices around but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective than their larger companions. At a bare minimum, they have a receptacle to hold the smoking material (a bowl), a stem, and a mouthpiece where the user inhales. Besides the device itself, all that’s needed to smoke is a lighter and some herb. While most cannabis smoking devices like bongs, dab rigs, pipes, and bubblers are typically made from glass, there are also several other materials that are used including metal, silicone, and ceramic. Each of these materials have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, however ceramic pipes are particularly prized because of their beautiful opaque and natural look. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of ceramic water pipes:
Pros
- More durable and thick than glass, so it’s less likely to break
- Can withstand cycles of heating and cooling without being compromised
- Retains heat very well (much longer than glass)
- Heat-safe and non-toxic
- Flavorless material for clean, pure rips
- Takes a long time to heat, so it won’t get too hot too quickly
- Very long lasting, sturdy material
- Unique, natural look
Cons
- Not as versatile and customizable as glass pipes are
- Can get very hot to the touch if heated directly
- Less intricate designs and styles available
- Always opaque, whereas glass can be transparent or opaque
- Ceramic can still break and crack
Are ceramic pipes safe?
A high quality ceramic pipe is non-toxic and safe to smoke out of. Be sure to double check that the clay and glaze are both lead-free. There are several different types of clay used for making ceramic smoking pipes and all of them are generally non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals and by-products. Ceramic is an inert material, so the smoke produced from a ceramic water pipe does not have any additional taste. Cannabis enthusiasts can experience the full flavor of the terpenes and unique profile of a specific strain with pure, clean tokes. Since ceramic is commonly used to make dishes and other kitchenware, nearly all commercial glazes are also food-safe and heat-safe. Unbeknown to many, there is also medical-grade ceramic, which is a very high quality option for smoking pipes. Medical-grade ceramics are used for prosthetics, certain surgical implants, and many types of medical tools and other devices used in the medical field.
Is it better to smoke out of glass or ceramic?
Both glass and ceramic have their advantages and disadvantages, but neither one is better than the other when it comes to being safe to smoke out of and flavor. However, many cannabis smokers have their preference of glass vs ceramic. Both materials are non-toxic and tasteless so you’ll get clean, pure bong rips. Ceramic is sturdy and good for sharing with friends, while glass smoking devices are more prone to cracking and breaking when accidentally dropped. They are also equally easy to clean. There’s really no straight answer to this question since the choice comes down to personal preference. The materials have very different aesthetics since one has a natural, vintage look that can set the vibe, while the other is very common and available in many more colors, styles, and designs.
How ceramic pipes are made
Ancient cultures have been using clay and ceramics for thousands of years to craft pottery, sculptures, jewelry, and many other items including smoking pieces used in everyday life. There are still many sculptors that make handmade ceramic pipes for weed just by sculpting clay with their hands. There are two main ways to make a ceramic pipe. The first method uses a stick which the clay is formed around to keep the airway open. As is, it can be used as a chillum or one hitter, but it’s also possible to attach a bowl with a hole at the bottom to the body to create a spoon pipe. For the second method, the pipe is formed out of solid clay and a wire or thin stick is pushed through the center of the stem to open up the airpath. When it comes to handmade pipes, the options for creativity are endless making these handmade works of art particularly special since they’re all one of a kind. Commercial pipes are created using molds and special machines that are able to create the exact same pipe over and over for mass production purposes. All clay art requires drying, glazing, and firing to have the best finished piece.
Types of ceramic weed pipes
Just like glass smoking pipes, ceramic pipes also come in a number of shapes, sizes, styles, and designs. Ceramic is an extremely versatile material and has a gorgeous natural look that blends beautifully into any home. You won’t feel embarrassed if you accidentally leave your ceramic weed pipe out on the coffee table when your friends come over since many are designed in a minimalist style and look like a modern piece of art. Finding a ceramic smoking pipe you love can be a bit more elusive than glass, which is the most common material but the search will be worth it. If you have your mind set on adding a piece to your collection, spoon pipes, steamrollers, bubblers, and bongs will be the easiest to find and have the most options available. Before adding it to your shopping cart, double check to see that the artist used non-toxic materials that are either food grade or medical grade. The following section summarizes some of the most popular styles of ceramic pipes for smoking that are available for purchase:
Spoon pipe
This style is the most common type of ceramic smoking pipe and is what most people think of when speaking about weed pipes. It somewhat resembles the shape of a spoon, hence its name. The classic spoon style has a bowl to place dry herb or tobacco and a carb hole on the right or left side of the bowl to control airflow. When the hole is closed during an inhale, it pulls the smoke from the bowl down into the pipe. When the carb is uncovered, smokers can easily clear the smoke from the pipe. With spoon pipes, the mouthpiece is always located on the opposite end of the non-removable bowl. This style of ceramic pipe is made in various sizes and can also be made from glass, silicone, crystals, stones, metal, and even wood.
Steamroller
Many cannabis lovers prefer steamroller pipes over many of the other styles since it produces giant, dense, and harder hitting tokes that a typical spoon pipe. The key lies with this pipe’s design. Steamrollers are normally cylindrical and fit right in the palm of your hand. This type of ceramic pipe has the air carb on the complete opposite end from the mouthpiece, creating a straight, direct airpath that draws smoke hard through the device. This low-resistance design allows for immediate clearing that seasoned smokers love. It’s said that steamrollers got their name because of a secondary internal chamber that the smoke will hit and start to roll, creating a slight cooling effect before being inhaled, however most steamrollers no longer have the second chamber.
Sherlock pipe
If you want to give off Gandalf vibes, look no further than a Sherlock pipe. This style of ceramic pipe resembles your pop’s old smoking pipe with a touch of modernization. Named after Sherlock Holmes, this sophisticated style features an iconic extra-long and curved stem that’s oh so comfortable to use. The elongated neck gives the hot smoke extra time to cool down leading to silky smooth hits. Normally crafted with a larger and deeper bowl than other pipe styles, Sherlock pipes are perfect for longer smoking sessions. Check to see if the device has a carb (some don’t) and a flat bottom so it can stand upright on its own. It’s rare to find this style made out of ceramic, so if you do come across one, don’t let it get away.
One hitter
As the name suggests, one hitters, also referred to as bats, are designed to hold a single hit. These ceramic pipes for weed are small, portable, and ultra discreet, making for the perfect travel companion. If you love to smoke joints, you’ll enjoy the ease of a one hitter. Pack one side with cannabis flower, light it, and smoke as you would a joint. It’s as easy as that! One hitters don’t have carbs or bowls. Instead the small tube has an opening on both ends, one that’s the mouthpiece and the other to pack with dry herb. An even more travel-friendly option is a one hitter that comes with a dugout. Dugouts are smoking accessories that have two holes or compartments, one for storing ground flower and the other to store the pipe. This makes packing and smoking even more discreet and portable.
Chillum
Chillums are essentially a slightly larger version of a one hitter that holds around two to six hits versus one. Popularized by hippies in the 60s and 70s, this ceramic smoking pipe style dates back to ancient times. Like one hitters, chillums are tube shaped with openings to pack material and inhale on either end. They come in a variety of sizes, some being quite large and can hold the same amount of material as a small to medium-sized spoon pipe. This ceramic pipe has harsher hits than other styles and lack a carb, so there’s no option to control the airflow.
Bubbler
Bubblers are a unique hybrid water pipe that combines the small size of a pipe and the water filtration power of a bong. It’s a pipe that uses water! Like bongs, this type of ceramic water pipe has cool, filtered hits that are comfortable on the throat, however they’re closer in size to a pipe and are therefore can be taken on the go. Bubblers normally have non-removable bowls like a pipe and always have a carburetor. Some have multiple chambers and even small percolators for even more aeration and filtration of contaminants that results in silky smooth tokes. Bubblers come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles. While ceramic bubblers aren’t as common as glass is, there are options available.
Water bong
Bongs are another type of water pipe used to smoke dry herb. If you’re wondering, are ceramic bongs good? The answer is yes! Water bongs are larger and less travel-friendly than pipes, but are great at producing enormous hits that are cool, filtered, and smooth on the lungs. Unlike other pipe styles that have a carb, a ceramic water pipe uses a removable bowl to restrict or open the airway and allows for quick clearing. Water bongs come in a wide range of colors, sizes, styles, and materials including silicone, wood, glass, ceramic, metal, and more. The main differentiator that creates the smooth hits is the use of various styles of percolators, which improves the water’s filtration power.
FAQ
What is a ceramic pipe?
A ceramic pipe or ceramic pipes are pipes that are made from high heat resistant ceramic. Due to the material used, ceramic pipes can be sculpted into fun shapes and designs, with beautiful colors and patterns. Ceramic pipes are used to inhale marijuana.
Are ceramic pipes safe?
Ceramic pipes are very safe to use. A ceramic pipe typically has a hole for inhalation, a bowl for the marijuana, and a carb hole to clear the smoke. Ceramic pipes are high heat resistant, and can cool down very quickly.
Is it better to smoke out of glass or ceramic pipes?
Ceramic pipes and glass pipes are different, but both can deliver great hits. Ceramic pipes can be sculpted into fun designs and patterns, are very durable and super easy to use.
How ceramic pipes are made?
Commercial ceramic pipes are created using molds and special machines that are able to create the exact same ceramic pipe over and over for mass production purposes. All clay art requires drying, glazing, and firing to have the best finished ceramic pipe.
How to clean ceramic pipes? Do you need something special?
Cleaning ceramic pipes are not much different than cleaning other pipes and bongs, but there is a certain level of care that you must take when cleaning ceramic smoking pipes. To clean a ceramic smoking pipe, you can boil it in hot water to remove any hard resin that is stuck to the ceramic pipe. This also helps to disinfect and burn off any bacteria as well. If you would like to step it up a notch, many stoners like to clean their smoking accessories with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt because it does a great job of removing built-up resin in hard-to-reach places.
Whether you choose to use hot water only or isopropyl alcohol with coarse salt, the choice is yours and everyone has their preference. Additional tools you can utilize are cotton swabs to help wipe away the resin without scratching the ceramic smoking pipe surface. Handle all ceramic smoking pipes with care and know that the longevity of a ceramic pipe is highly dependent on the way an owner cares for it.
Are the shipping and packaging discreet?
Shipping and packaging at EF420 are always discreet, no matter what you buy. It does not matter whether you buy one product or a dozen, there will always be a level of privacy and discretion that is upheld at our EF420 warehouse. Like you, we are all stoners that would appreciate someone else caring for our ceramic smoking pipes the way we would ourselves. That includes the way it is handled and packaged, which is one of the most important parts of this process. We wouldn’t be doing our job if we did it with half the effort we would for our own supplies, and we wouldn’t be good stoners if we did not treat all smoking accessories (especially ceramic smoking pipes) with gentle care. One thing about us at EF420, we will always be in favor of helping a stoner out and making sure they get what they need to get their minds high in the sky.
