Smoking weed has never been more versatile than it is now and we’re here for it. People have been smoking weed since ages ago, which is why some smoking devices were lost to history while others have kept their rightful place, and new ones are also being added to the arsenal – all for weed tokers to enjoy.
In this article, we’ll talk about all the devices you can use to smoke marijuana – some makeshift and some classic, so let’s get into it!
DIY Pipes and Bongs
Let’s start with some DIY pipes and bongs you can use to smoke marijuana because a toker’s biggest pet peeve is not having a tool to toke with.
Apple Pipe
Apple pipes are seriously the best. They’ve been the saving grace for many a weed toker over the decades since apples are a common product in most people’s pantries.
To make an apple pipe, you also need an emptied pen. Poke the first hole from the top of the apple towards the center, and poke the second and the third holes from the sides of the apple towards the center. The holes should all connect in the center so that there is unrestricted airflow. The top hole is where you’ll put the weed, while one side hole will be the mouthpiece and the other will be the carb hole.
Gravity Bong
Gravity bongs are popular DIY smoking devices that produce tons of smoke. They’re easy to make when you’re with a lot of people and need something that can accommodate a number of tokers at once.
To make a gravity bong, you’ll need two plastic bottles (water bottles) – a larger one (like a 2-liter bottle) and a smaller one, and aluminum foil.
- First, you need to cut the top off of the larger bottle and fill it with water.
- Then, you should cut the bottom off of the smaller bottle and submerge it into the larger bottle. There should be some air space at the top where the smoke will collect.
- Next, make a small bowl from the aluminum foil and poke small holes in it, then place it on the mouthpiece of the smaller bottle.
- Put the weed in the bowl and light it. Once the smoke starts collecting in the air space at the top, start lifting the bottle to make room for the smoke, but don’t take it out of the water.
- Finally, remove the aluminum foil and start pushing the bottle down while inhaling the smoke. The pressure will force the smoke into your lungs.
Soda Can Pipe
Soda can pipes are another easy makeshift smoking device you can make in literally under 5 minutes. You need a soda can, a screwdriver or scissors, and something pointy to poke holes with, like a pin.
To transform a regular soda can into a soda can pipe, you should bend it in half or make a large dent in the middle. Use the pin to poke small holes along the crease or in the dent to allow airflow. Finally, use the screwdriver (or scissors) to make a carb hole for better smoke control. Place the weed in the crease or in the dent on top of the holes, light it, and toke away!
Hot Knives Technique
The hot knives technique is an old one, but it works. Take two butter knives and heat them by putting the blades on the burner. Once they’re hot enough, sprinkle some of the weed on one of the knives and immediately press it with the other knife. The smoke should start going up soon, so all you need to do is inhale it.
Rolling Paper Replacements
Smoking cannabis is fun until you run out of rolling papers. Yeah, it’s frustrating, but there are some decent replacements that can save your day.
Corn Husks
Dried corn husks are a great replacement for rolling papers. They’re thin enough and their small fibers can hold the weed in place. All you have to do is cut a corn husk down to size and roll it like you normally would.
Rose Petals
Rose petals are probably the most unconventional replacement for rolling papers, but they work like a charm. To make a rose petal blunt, you should dehydrate a few rose petals in the oven just until they’re slightly dry but have enough moisture to be rolled. Stick them together by licking the sides, and put them back in the oven for up to a minute to allow them to bind properly. Roll your blunt and enjoy the decadent floral aroma.
Empty Cigarette
Cigarettes are wrapped in rolling papers that are very similar to the ones you use for smoking weed. Just empty the cigarette by gently rolling it until all the tobacco falls out and remove the filter with a needle or tweezers. Fill it up again with weed and you’re good to go.
Standard Smoking and Vaping Devices
There are some smoking devices that are classics and that you just can’t pass.
Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs
What can we say about joints, blunts, and spliffs that hasn’t already been said? A joint is the epitome of smoking weed, while blunts and spliffs are the next best things. It’s enjoyable, it’s social, it’s relaxing, and yeah, it’s smelly, but only if you smoke reggie weed. But hey, weed is weed, right? We’re not that picky.
Smoking a joint or a blunt or a spliff ensures great portion control. They don’t produce too much smoke and you have enough time to see if you need more tokes. The only downside is that some of the cannabinoids and terpenes are lost due to the high temperature of the flame that combusts the weed, but many tokers don’t seem to mind that, so it’s not a dealbreaker.
Bongs and Bubblers
Bongs are classic smoking devices and there is a reason why they’re still used today. For one, they produce huge clouds. Two, the smoke is smooth because it gets filtered by the water which holds all the icky stuff. And third, it’s really the best for taking big rips when you’re with friends who want to share (but smoking it alone can be just as fun).
A good-quality bong can be an investment, but it’ll last for a long time and you’ll be glad you bought it. Bongs with percolators produce especially cool smoke, so when buying a bong, we recommend you buy a percolated one.
Bubblers look like small glass pipes but they’re built to function like bongs. They’re often described as the best of both worlds. They have a small round chamber that gets filled with water, just like a bong, and the smoke is just as smooth, but they’re not as clunky.
Cannabis Pipes
Cannabis pipes are handy, stylish, discreet, and awesome. You don’t need rolling papers, only a lighter and your weed. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the glass pipes being the most popular flavor-wise.
Regular weed pipes are pretty self-explanatory. They have a spoon shape where you put the weed and a mouthpiece to inhale it. There are also narrow types of weed pipes called one-hitters or chillums which can hold weed enough for a single hit. These types are popular for being discreet and fuss-free, plus they’re great for microdosing.
The third type of weed pipe is the steamroller pipe, which is a very simple way to smoke weed, but with a lot of smoke. They’re narrow, like a chillum, but the carb hole is at the other end of the pipe instead of the side, while the bowl protrudes on the top. They produce a lot of smoke that rushes into your lungs because of the way they’re designed, and they’re a favorite among seasoned smokers with high tolerance to weed.
Vaporizers and Vape Pens
Vaporizing weed is often considered the healthiest way to inhale weed because there is no combustion of the weed involved, like with smoking. How much healthier it actually is, unfortunately, is not yet known due to insufficient research, but the flavor is definitely cleaner and more pronounced. Since the weed is only heated at temperatures below combustion, there is no loss of cannabinoids and terpenes and no release of the toxins associated with cannabis smoke. Vaporizers nowadays can vaporize dry buds or cannabis concentrates so you can choose whichever you prefer.
Dab Rigs
Dab rigs are an advanced smoking tool that many experienced tokers use. Technically, dabbing is closer to vaping because there is no combustion involved. Dab rigs are used to dab all forms of cannabis concentrates that belong under the umbrella of butane hash oil (wax, budder, shatter, crumble, etc.).
Concentrates (also called dabs) are concentrated forms of the cannabis plant that are very flavorful because all of the terpenes have been preserved. But, they also have a very high percentage of THC, which makes them unfit for inexperienced users.
Dabbing concentrates may seem intimidating if you’re a beginner, but dab rigs aren’t that hard to use because all you need is the dab rig and a blowtorch.
Unconventional Smoking Devices
Some smoking devices weren’t primarily intended for smoking weed, but they can do the job just fine if you have nothing else, or if you want to experiment just because.
Hookah
Hookahs are smoking devices designed for smoking shisha, which is flavored tobacco. They typically produce huge amounts of smoke and are very fun to smoke with. Smoking weed with a shisha makes for quite a unique smoking experience. It’s very cozy and great for social gatherings. Most cannabis tokers like to put the weed between the shisha for an ultra flavorful smoke, but weed can also clog the hookah. If you want to know more, we discuss smoking weed with a hookah here.
Tobacco Pipe
Tobacco pipes are an obvious replacement for weed pipes, but they’re not exactly ideal unless you smoke a lot of weed. Their bowl is typically much larger and they lack a carb hole, which controls the smoke. Plus, the wood that traditional tobacco pipes are made of is very porous and will soak up a lot of the smell. Still, tobacco pipes are very usable weed smoking devices if you usually pack bigger bowls and if you plan to repurpose it for weed.
Bottom Line – Take Your Pick
When it comes to smoking weed, you really have a ton of choices. Besides your classics like joints and bongs, there are devices that can be fun to experiment with or to DIY when in need. You can take your pick among many devices – some ready-made and some DIY – that can make for a unique smoking experience.
