Weed culture in the United States has come a long, long way — thanks largely to its ongoing legalization. For reference (according to the National Conference of State Legislators), as of February 3 of this year, 37 states have legalized medical marijuana use and, as of May 27, 19 states have legalized the use of recreational weed. If you're in one of those latter states, you can count yourself among the lucky ones that can, without fear of legal action, dabble in the consumption of THC.
However, that poses another problem: exactly how will you consume that THC? You may have tried pipes, you may have tried bongs — but have you ever tried a bubbler? If your answer was "no" or "what the hell is a bubbler?" then you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find everything you need to know about these smooth, unique, relatively portable devices. That way, you can decide if one of these (like the Higher Standards Heavy Duty Riggler you see above) is the right tool for your personal weed journey.
What Is a Bubbler Pipe?
To better understand bubblers, it's probably a good idea to understand what both pipes and bongs are. Pipes are probably the most basic smoking apparatus, usually consisting of a bowl (where you put the weed), a stem (a tube through which the weed smoke travels) and a mouthpiece (through which one inhales that smoke). And some pipes have a carb, which is a small hole, usually in the side of the pipe, that the user covers and uncovers (usually with their thumb) in the process of smoking weed to make the ignition of the weed and the pulling through of the smoke easier and more effective, respectively. By contrast, A bong (also known as a water pipe) is an apparatus that filters weed smoke (or any other kind of smoke) through water (or other liquids) — much like a hookah.
Like bongs, bubblers have a mouthpiece, bowl, stem and a water chamber. Unlike bongs — and more like pipes — bubblers usually have a fixed, non-removable mouthpiece, along with a carb. The best way to think of them is probably like the midpoint between bong and pipe, but that's far from all you need to know about them in your search for your next THC-using apparatus.
For instance, there are many different varieties of bubbler pipes, and knowing the difference will help you better understand which style is right for you, your usage, etc. We've outlined them below to help you better understand the options.
Types of Bubbler Pipes
Hammer: Resembles a hammer, as the name suggests. They're stable and the design allows them to rest on a flat surface without rolling around.
Sherlock: Resembles Sherlock Holmes’ tobacco pipe. Looks like a hammer bubbler, but is curved into an “S” shape.
Sidecar: Features a stem and mouthpiece that adhere to the side of the water chamber. Designed to solve the problem of water splash-back.
Pendant: Smaller than the other types. features a little hole/ring so it can be attached to a chain.
Concentrate: Designed for smoking concentrates and oils instead of flower. Works just like a dab rig, but is more compact.
Double bubblers: Comes with two chambers instead of one; also known as a dual percolator. Filters the smoke twice, allowing for an extra-clean and cool hit of flavor.
History of Bubblers
Although it’s not clear when the bubbler was invented, glass pipes have a rich history. According to the American Glassblowers Society, the earliest use of glass was by the Egyptians, who used it to glaze tiles, make figures and create beads. Glassblowing was developed during the Hellenistic Period, around 30 B.C. by the Romans, but glass pipes were only patented in 1977. Glassblower Bob Snodgrass is credited with developing the techniques used to make glass pipes while touring with the Grateful Dead in the 1970s and '80s.
Who Really Needs a Bubbler, Anyway?
Now that you have a bit more info on what bubbler pipes are, their varieties, and their history, you may still be wondering what type of weed user might benefit from picking one up. Well, we're hoping to help out in that realm, too. The following are a few considerations that will help you determine if a bubbler pipe is the right (or wrong) pickup for you.
Try out a bubbler if you:
- Want the portability of hand pipes with the water filtration capabilities of bongs.
- Want smoother hits compared to hand pipes.
- Are a novice smoker and want something durable, light and easy to use.
Back away from the bubbler if you:
- Want something that’s easy to clean — bubblers are often more difficult to clean than bongs or pipes, and also require more regular cleaning as well.
- Are looking for customization. What you see is what you get with a bubbler.
- Can't live with a bowl that's smaller than a bong.
