Smoking pipe (non-tobacco)
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Smoking pipe (non-tobacco) concerns the culture around smoking pipes, generally for illegal drugs and not for smoking tobacco.
[edit] Metal
Metal pipes are more generally associated with cannabis and other drugs than tobacco use. Though steel was a common material, aluminium and brass are more popular materials now, although these metals may be dangerous to smoke out of. The advantages of a metal pipe generally include interchangeable parts for optimization and certain components are limited to fit only a metal pipe, such as a threaded metal bowl with optional cap via thread interface that will prevent spills or accidentally blowing the cannabis from the bowl ("blow outs"). Their retention of heat can make them uncomfortably and even dangerously hot but most have rubber or plastic grips on the outside of the pipe. Another common method for burn prevention is the use of one or more rubber rings, which can be placed at the base of the threaded area and prevent conduction of heat. Another drawback of the metal pipe is its typical top heaviness which makes it prone to spills. This is compensated for by flat or squared ends on the 45° or 90° angled elbow piece. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of a metal pipe over a glass piece in many users' minds is that they are, in all normal circumstance, basically indestructible.
Metal bowls are usually overlooked by tobacco smokers because metal bowls require a break-in period of resination. During that time, when tobacco is used, the smoke passing though the piece has an aftertaste. Cannabis smoke usually does not have an odd after-taste and resinates the piece faster. A type of metal pipe usually associated with Marijuana is the chamber pipe, which has an accessible central chamber, which is usually packed with Marijuana to resinate, adding extra THC content when smoked. Also, loose bits of the Marijuana fall down into the chamber and also resinate, speeding up the process of resination. The biggest drawback to a metal-stemmed or -bowled pipe is that the metal also creates a lot of condensation in the stem, making for a wet smoke.
An easy metal pipe can be made out of an empty soda can by partially denting the round side and poking holes in it. Cannabis is placed over the holes, ignited, and smoke is drawn through the can's mouthpiece. This kind of pipe is usually used out of desperation when no other smoking apparatuses are available as inhaling aluminum fumes can be detrimental to one's health[citation needed].
All metals create odors when heated and although the metals themselves can withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees they still release harmful toxins when heated. Steel has the least odor followed by brass which tastes horrible and irritates the throat after just a few uses, followed by aluminum, on the bottom of the list is copper which is extremely reactant and can create malicious chemicals when triggered by one of the thousands of chemicals inherent in any smoke[citation needed]. Gold is inert and has no taste and is sometimes offered as a bowl plating. Metal pipes are typically short because the metal absorbs the heat from the smoke extremely well whereas long pipes or roomy glass pipes use their larger air space to cool the smoke.
''''Hand-blown glass pipes are the most common pipes used today. Glass pipes are created in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Glass pipes are sold primarily at headshops, or your local smoke shop.
Functionality of a glass pipe is very different than other materials. A small hole called a carburetor is found on the side of the bowl. This hole is blocked to draw air through the smoking mixture and then released to allow all the stale ass smoke to go away. This allows for a larger hit without smoke left behind.
A variation on the glass pipe is the bubbler. Glass water pipes direct smoke through a water resevoir which both cools and filters the smoke.
Sale of glass pipes should not be prohibited to minors in many locations, but of corse it is.
Glass pipes need to be cleaned every 6 months to retain massave tokeage. As time goes by, resin from the smoke builds up in the pipe and restricts air flow. Hot water,and alcohol, as well as a variety of special cleansers are suitable for the task.
A quality hand made glass pipe will get ya alot of money out on the street.''''
[edit] Natural
One of the less popular varieties of pipes are those made from natural materials, such as wood, meerschaum, stone, jade, and even various fruits. The benefits and drawbacks of using various materials compared to more conventional non-tobacco pipes are not well documented as glass pipes are the current norm.
Pipes made from woods, some minerals, and even antlers are very porous, which makes for a smoother, dryer smoke. These pipes tend not to have the characteristic "carb" found on glass pipes, perhaps due to the fact a smooth hit can be accomplished without any additional ventilation.
Pipes made from stone, onyx, jade and other stones are non-reactive and allow more of the flavor of the smoke to come through.
When an actual pipe is not present for smoking, it is sometimes necessary to fashion a pipe out of available fruits, the most popular, arguably, being the apple. Fruit pipes are unique in that the smoke chambers are naturally wet, thus moistening and cooling to smoke in addition to contributing the apparatus's own characteristic flavor. Also, this particular kind of pipe is disposable, whether eaten or simply thrown out.
[edit] See also
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