Version 1.3.5.1 – Release date: June 7th, 2010 This is a list of pros and cons for common smoking methods. Please feel free to leave comments, make suggestions (and point out my errors), and ask questions. I am sure I left some things out, so please let me know =) Acrylic Bong / Plastic Bong Intro: Since this is still in the “Bong†class, the benefits are the same as other bongs. However, there is an advantage that acrylic has over other bongs, and that is a little harder to break. Advantages: - Can take large hits - Won't break as easily as other bongs - Will usually cost less than other bongs - Filters the smoke through water Disadvantages: - They seem to hit a little harsh - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed - A little harder to discreetly transport over some of the smaller smoking devices - Most have metal bowls which will affect the taste of the smoke - The seals have a tendency to loosen - Plastic can't be cleaned, only rinsed with water Personal Note: If you are buying your first bong, and you don't have the money for a nice glass on glass piece, you can't go wrong with an acrylic bong. Apple Pipe (pineapple, cucumber, kiwi, and other fruits and vegetables) Intro: Fruit and vegetable pieces are inexpensive and easily disposed of (you can eat them if you're inclined to do so). They can be made as easily as making 2 holes; one hole to hold the bud and one hole to breathe through. The possibilities of designs are infinite. Advantages: - Easy to make and easy to get rid of - They can add a unique flavor - Great for group hits (one apple + 5 bendy straws can be a blast!) Disadvantages: - Poorly made pieces can lose chunks when you inhale, which can cause choking or discomfort - If you use a small fruit or vegetable, the flame can be close to your face while taking a hit - Don't use unripe fruit or veggies *facepalm* - If the fruit or vegetable is wet (juicy) where you place your weed, you can bet it will have a negative effect Personal Note: An apple pipe was my first introduction to smoking, and to this day, I love smoking out of a freshly picked apple. Blunt Intro: Blunt paper is made from tobacco, so if you want to stay away from tobacco, stay away from blunts. Advantages: - Burns slowly - Can hold more weed than other rolled smoking methods - Can be smoked, extinguished, and relit with relative ease - Can easily be mistaken as a “Cigar†at a glance - You can also get a nicotine buzz while smoking Disadvantages: - Some people feel that smoking a blunt decreases the taste of the weed - If the blunt wrap is not moist and flexible, you can't roll with it - Some people cough more than normal when smoking blunts - There is a strong after smell left on your hands and cloths - Can be difficult to roll - Tobacco can cause cancer - Cigars are not meant to be inhaled Personal Note: If you don't mind tobacco, a blunt can be a great way to get buzzed and high at the same time. Also, because of its large size, it is great for groups. Not to mention, if you only want to smoke ½ of it, you can put it out pretty easy. Ceramic Bong Intro: Ceramic bongs tend to be more “Homemade†smoking devices. Ceramic tends to be the middle man (or middle bong if you will) between glass and acrylic. Advantages: - Fun to make out of household items (like a hello kitty soap dispenser) - Can take decent hits if well built (needs a good seal) - Filters the smoke through water Disadvantages: - Most likely will have a metal bowl which affects the taste - Tend to be more “Novelty†bongs - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed Personal Note: Even though they are fun to make, I much prefer to smoke out of a nice glass on glass piece. Gas Mask Intro: Does this need an intro? I think it is pretty self explanatory. Smoke comes in, only one place for it to go; your lungs. Advantages: - You can get extremely high - You can pretend to be a crazy person (if you are a crazy person, this adds to your crazy-ness) Disadvantages: - If you open your eyes while the mask is full of smoke, they will burn - You can pass out from not enough oxygen - They can be a hassle to put on and take off - The THC can stick to your face Personal Note: Overall, smoking from a gas mask is more for fun than actually smoking, though you can get very high from it. Just use common sense and be careful not to overdo it. Glass on Glass Bong (Single Peculation) Intro: Ice pinches, no ice pinches, beaker bottom, strait tube, bent tube, and more, single perc glass bongs are one of the most common types of bongs. Advantages: - Adding ice to your bong cools the smoke and allows for smoother hits - Can take large hits, easily (more smoke generated than other methods) - Can get awesome “Milk†shots - No altered taste from metal or other contaminates - Filters through water - Easy to clean - You can add accessories to glass on glass pieces Disadvantages: - You can burn through weed - A little harder to discreetly transport over some of the smaller smoking devices - Cheap glass bongs are thin, and can break easily (get 5mm and thicker glass for more durability) - Bowl piece can be difficult to get out when clearing - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed Personal Note: The most common bong I use is a strait tube with ice pinches. Hits great and is easy to clean. Glass on Glass Bong (Multi Peculation) Intro: The bigger the bong, the bigger your lung capacity needs to be to clear it. Weekend toker's need not apply. Advantages: - Multiple levels of filtration provide for the smoothest hits - Ice pinches on top of the in-tube percs (colder smoke allows for bigger hits) - No altered taste from metal or other contaminates - You can add accessories to glass on glass pieces Disadvantages: - Not easy to discreetly transport (I buckle mine into my passenger seat) - You can burn through weed, especially with groups (that is, if you keep loading bowls) - Cheap glass bongs are thin, and can break easily (get 5mm and thicker glass for more durability) - A little harder to discreetly transport over some of the smaller smoking devices - Bowl piece can be difficult to get out when clearing - Cleaning in-tube percs can be a challenge - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed Personal Note: The biggest hits I have ever taken are when I milk my triple perc bong with a 5 arm downstem perc attachment. Clearing this thing when it's full is impossible for your average toker. Glass Chillum Intro: To put it simply, chillums are like a strait glass pipe (listed below) without a carb. Advantages: - Can pack a decent size bowl (more than a pinch hit [listed below], less than a bong) - Portable - Great for personal tokes - Great for on the go tokes Disadvantages: - You can get a lot of ash if you suck to hard - Easy to brake - Can be a bit of a challenge to clean (mostly due to small holes) Personal Note: Smoking a high quality weed out of a chillum is one of the best ways to get high. Not to mention it's easy to take with you wherever you want to go. Glass Pipe Intro: Glass pipes are something every toker should have at least one of. You get the true flavor of the weed, unfiltered and unchanged. You can purchase cheap ones all over the place from $7-20. Advantages: - You can get blazed with a small amount of weed - You get the “True†unfiltered taste of the weed - Easy to use Disadvantages: - You can get a lot of ash if you suck to hard - Easily broken if your clumsy - Flame can be uncomfortably close to your face - Smoke tends to be a little hot Personal Note: When buying, I try to always have a glass pipe on me to test the true flavor of the weed before I buy it. Some dealers aren't down for that, mine however, are. Glass Bubbler Intro: A bubbler is like a mini bong and a pipe combined. It allows for water filtration, but doesn't allow you to take huge hits. Advantages: - Filters the smoke through water - Allows for conservative smoking - You can get blazed with a small amount of weed - Easy to pack around (don't forget to bring a water bottle) Disadvantages: - Changing the water can be difficult - Cleaning can be a bit challenging with small bubblers and bubblers with a twist - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed Personal Note: A bubbler is a great addition to any toker's collection; it combines a bong and a pipe perfectly. Glass Slider Bong Intro: Sliders are similar to glass on glass in style, but they are unique in that they seal with a rubber o-ring, and are easier to pull the bowl piece out. Advantages: - Easy to pull the bowl piece out - Can take large hits, easily (more smoke generated than other methods) - Can get awesome “Milk†shots - No altered taste from metal or other contaminates - Filters through water - Easy to clean Disadvantages: - You can burn through weed, especially with groups - Cheap glass bongs are thin, and can break easily (get 5mm and thicker glass for more durability) - Can get pretty smelly if the water isn't changed - You can't add accessories to sliders Personal Note: When your baked, you're not always the most careful; luckily with a slider the bowl piece comes out very easily. Gravity Bong Intro: Watching gravity suck smoke down into a compact area can be quite fun while being blazed, or sober if you've never seen it before. Advantages: - Fun to play with - Can take small hits with a huge amount of smoke (very compact) - Extremely conservative (no smoke lost) Disadvantages: - Can be hard to operate when stoned - The bowl piece can get pretty hot (be careful) - The smoke can be to hot and harsh for some - Easy to make a mess with (spilling bong water is never fun) - Easy to brake when your high Personal Note: You don't need to buy one; you can make these things super easy, and effective. Helix Pipe / Vortex Pipe Intro: If you have ever wondered what a tornado in a pipe looks like, this should be your toking weapon of choice. Advantages: - Swirls the smoke like a tornado - Has a comfortable, well-designed mouthpiece - Can hold accessories perfectly - The pipe and accessories for it are glass-on-glass - Easy to clean - Can take fat milk hits - It's much smoother than a normal bubbler (with the bubbler attachment) Disadvantages: - Very wide, might be considered large by some - Not very mobile without the case (with the case there is no problem) - Costs a lot of money Personal Note: I haven't smoked from a helix pipe, so my information came from outside resources. Check out http://forum.grasscity.com/toking-tools/501070-helix-k-vortex-pipe-attachments-case-review.html it's a great resource. Hookah Intro: Hookahs are great for parties, and can be a lot of fun. You don't have to load a full bowl (no one is saying you can't though), instead, just mix a bit of bud in with your shisha. Advantages: - If you mix weed with shisha, you can get a nicotine buzz with your high Disadvantages: - There will always be a burning coal on top - Tobacco can cause cancer Personal Note: Hookahs are great, but don't overdo it. If you overdo it, you might get the spins, or feel like puking. Hurricane Bong Intro: If you thought the Helix pipe was cool, here is a better version of it, but in bong form. Advantages: - Virtually indestructible by design as it is crafted tension-free - The anti-break system ensures that the vulnerable parts of the bong stabilize each other minimizing amount of damage done if the bong is dropped - Small jets or holes on the inner wall of the bong allow outside air to cool the smoke, and give it the swirling effect - Does an excellent job filtering out unwanted elements - Very smooth hits (read the second disadvantage though) Disadvantages: - After a short time of use, tar deposits are noticeable at the exits of the jets - Plain air is added, which dilutes the hit - Very expensive (some see it as too expensive for the quality) Personal Note: I haven't smoked from a hurricane bong, so my information came from outside resources. Check out http://forum.grasscity.com/recreati...140-hurricane-cyclone-bong-vriptech-bowl.html it's a great resource. Joint / Doobie / Pre-rolled Cones Intro: Joints are the “On-The-Go†stoner's best friend. Easily concealed, easily ditched, and easily smoked. Advantages: - Easy to conceal - Easy to get rid of - Funnel all the resin down to the bottom for a stronger hit at the end - Can't break if it falls on the floor/ground - Portable - Great for personal tokes - Great for on the go tokes - Great for doing smoke tricks, like “Blowing rings†Disadvantages: - There is a strong after smell left on your hands and cloths - Can be difficult to roll Personal Note: If you are going on a road trip, it is great to have a few J's on the way! Knife Hits / Knifers / Knifeys Intro: Bust out your metal silverware and heat things up! Warning: using your mom's fine china will end you up in the hospital. Advantages: - You can get very stoned - Conserves bud (since you only need a small amount for each hit) Disadvantages: - You are smoking everything in the weed, not just the THC - You can get burned / burn someone / burn down your house / cause global warming - The smoke tends to be harsh (unless you build a system that uses ice) - The knifes you use will permanently be burnt Personal Note: Knife hits seem to be a little too harsh for my liking; even filtered through ice. It's there as a backup option. Metal pipe Intro: Metal pipes are considered portable, rugged, and durable (probably because their made of metal). Advantages: - Very rugged and durable - Pretty easy to clean - Portable - Great for personal tokes - Great for on the go tokes Disadvantages: - Can leave a metal aftertaste - Usually have a small bowl - The metal can get hot pretty fast - You can get a lot of ash if you suck to hard - Flame can be uncomfortably close to your face - Smoke tends to be a little hot Personal Note: I tend to stay clear of all metal pieces due to the taste it can have. Pinch Hitter / One Hitter / Dugout Intro: Need a hit during your day, but don't want to pack around a pipe? Pinch hitters look like cigarettes from a distance which makes it great for smoking in public. Advantages: - Best option for conserving weed - Only smoke as much as you need to get high - Looks like a cigarette - Portable - Great for personal tokes - Great for on the go tokes Disadvantages: - Only one hit (per load) - Smoke can be kind of harsh - Smoke tends to be a little hot Personal Note: If you are going to be smoking in public, and don't want to carry any J's with you, a pinch hitter is a great device! Soda Can Intro: When you're out of silverware, and you have no bong, no pipe, not a thing but a soda can; turn it into a pipe. Advantages: - Easy to make Disadvantages: - Cans are lined with plastic to combat the “Metal†taste, and can melt off when heated (toxic fumes) - Smoke tends to be pretty harsh (probably because of the toxic fumes your breathing in) Personal Note: Sadly, cans where an early introduction to smoking for me. However, since I bought my first piece many years ago, I have never looked back. Steamroller Intro: A cross between a bong and a pipe, or is it a pipe for Hagrid? You decide. Advantages: - Take huge hits, like you can from a bong - Portable - No water to spill - Pretty cheap to make or buy - Easy to clean Disadvantages: - Smoke tends to be a little harsh - You can get a lot of ash if you suck to hard Personal Note: I have yet to smoke out of a steamroller, so all the information for this one came off the GC forums. Vaporizer Intro: As seen in such hit movies as “Some-title I don't rememberâ€. Vape's have been deemed the best smoking device since their dawn. Advantages: - No smoke! (at least not the same type of smoke as when you use a flame) - Can take (almost) pure THC hits - The high you get is a “Clean†high (since you are smoking mostly THC) - Less coughing (for those that still cough) - The taste is very unique (though some will not like it) Disadvantages: - Some people dislike the taste/smell (more so if the temperature is to hot and burns the weed) - Expensive - Not a good idea for kief or hash (not always true, I'm sure if you're dedicated, you'll find a way) - If it gets too hot, it burns the weed (more so for custom built vape's) Personal Note: Building a vape is going to be the cheapest route. Just make sure you don't use a soldering iron that gets too hot. Wood Pipe Intro: These where the first smoking devices ever used, and while the designs have changed over the years, the concept is the same. Advantages: - I'm stumped Disadvantages: - Not that easy to clean - Seems to add an odd taste to the smoke - No carb - You can get a lot of ash if you suck to hard - Flame can be uncomfortably close to your face - Smoke tends to be a little hot Personal Note: This is like running DOS as your operating system today. A bit outdated for my liking, but could be a nice addition to any collection. Attachments... Coming soon!
sweet. but you need to work on the disadvantages and advantages..they were weak..but the pictures are neat..and kept my attention. good job man.
For Glass on Glass Bong (Multi Peculation) as a con you said you go through weed alot especially in groups. I think instead or for me atleast I save a lot of weed and if your in a group and dont want to use any more weed you can just say no.
I slacked off on some of them, but I think people can get a good general idea of each piece. Thanks for pointing that out, I changed it a bit. You're right though, you could just stop loading blows. When we do group smokes, we usually each load at least one bowl, and have 3-6 people (and 2-5 rounds depending on how long we are going for), so weed seams to go pretty fast. Unless where doing personal bowls, in which case, it's pretty conservative.
what about oil smokin devices like curves, and domes? also you should say something about snappers, cause they conserve weed in tubes, and are the best way to smoke IMO
Terrible guide. Most of this doesnt make sense. and theres TONS missing about the advantages and disadvantages. Contains WAY to many assumptions and misconceptions. And worst of all... lot of opinions. Sorry.
nice guide. it could use a few more things but i know it took you a while to compile all that. +rep dood.