There are many ways to enjoy cannabis, but one of our favorites is the classic packing and smoking of a bowl. It is one of the most tried-and-tested smoking techniques and offers a convenient and efficient way of enjoying your favorite marijuana strains.
Whether you’ve never smoked a bowl before or want to refresh and perfect your craft, this guide is here to help you out. We’ll cover the basic anatomy of pipes and bongs and then take you through a step-by-step process of how to pack and smoke a bowl of weed.
A cannabis bowl plays a vital role in both pipes and bongs. Understanding what each part of your smoking device does will help you better appreciate the full marijuana experience. Once you know each part’s role, mastering the art of taking a smooth hit will be much easier.
The bowl is the small basin on the opposite end of your device from your mouthpiece into which you pack your cannabis. Bowls come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for different needs.
The bowls on the end of pipes have holes on their side called carbs. These are essential for regulating airflow to ensure you get the most out of your herb.
When you cover the carb, it restricts airflow, and smoke will collect in your pipe or bong’s chamber or main body. And when you release it, the smoke can quickly dissipate as you inhale.
Many bongs don’t have carbs. Their bowls are separate pieces that are miniature funnels. It is either kept in the bong or lifted out to control airflow. This acts as a carb controlling the flow of air.
When the bowl is in its place, airflow is constricted, and smoke gathers in the bong’s chamber. And when you lift the bowl out, airflow is released toward the mouthpiece as you breathe in.
As you inhale, smoke travels from the bowl in the chamber. It moves into the body of your pipe or bong and collects the smoke before you inhale it.
When comparing the chambers of both pipes and bongs, pipes are more versatile and convenient. But their chambers are usually smaller than a bong’s, storing less smoke. Because of this, they are generally more suitable for traveling or use in intimate smoking circles.
The bong chamber is much larger than the pipe, storing more smoke. So, when you hit a bong, there is often more smoke than a pipe. Because of this, smoking from a bong is generally considered harsher on your lungs but will get you high faster.
Many people partially fill their bongs with water to cover the bottom of the downstem of the bowl. As smoke is drawn from the bowl into the chamber, it bubbles through the water. This cools the smoke down and helps to smooth the hit.
You’ll know if you have too much water if it splashes into your mouth when you pull from your bong.
If you still need help hitting a bong, the chambers of some bongs also have ice notches in their walls.
Adding ice to your bong will cool the smoke down even further. But be careful of putting ice too close to the mouthpiece. You may end up inhaling water particles along with your smoke.
If you must use ice in your bong, we recommend adding ice into the water at the bottom or finding one with ice notches low down. When packing the ice, let it defrost until it is slippery to avoid those nasty frost shards.
The mouthpiece is the final part of the pipe or bong that the smoke reaches. As the name suggests, this is where you place your mouth and inhale the smoke.
A pipe’s mouthpiece is significantly smaller than a bong’s. Pulling through can be difficult if it is too small or the shape feels odd in your mouth.
When buying a pipe, you want to look for something neither too small nor too large so that it will allow an effortless stream of air to flow through.
The mouthpieces of bongs are typically bigger than pipes and less personalized. This means you must place your hand over it between pulls to capture the smoke.
After all that information, you’re probably impatient to settle down with your favorite strain of cannabis.
But bear with us because this is when the fun begins.
Of course, the first step is to get your hands on some marijuana. Different strains have different effects, so the strain you choose depends on what kind of experience you’re after.
Our handy guide to cannabis strains will give you deep insight into the nuances between strains and their effects. But we’ll give you a quick overview for now.
If you want a little energy boost, go for a sativa strain. Sativa types, known as the “daytime branch,” are supposed to enhance focus, energy, and creativity.
On the other hand, if you want to feel as though you’re being swallowed whole by your couch, go for strains in the indica family. These strains work towards a more soothing effect that reduces anxiety.
A quick note about indica strains: They can increase appetite more acutely than sativa strains. So we recommend having some snacks at the ready!
If these options seem too extreme, many hybrid strains are bred from a combination of indica and sativa varieties. They aim to balance the euphoric effects of sativa strains and the calming effects of indica strains.
Many scientific studies have concluded that determining the effects of different strains of marijuana is a lot more complex than the sativa-indica divide. So, if you can’t tell the difference, go for a hybrid.
You’ll need a few tools besides cannabis for this adventure. First off, you’ll need something to break up your cannabis. A grinder is the most efficient option and will achieve the most consistent result.
Failing that, a pair of scissors and some patience will work almost as well. Even breaking the buds up with your fingers – depending on how meticulous you are – will suffice.
Next, you’ll need your trusty pipe or bong with a bowl to pack your cannabis.
Last, you’ll need a flame to set your cannabis alight. Standard butane lighters, like BIC lighters, are the most widely used. They are affordable and sold in almost all grocers and corner stores.
However, they can have a strong butane taste, so some smokers choose a healthier alternative. A hemp wick coated in wax burns slowly and consistently and has a more natural flavor than butane.
We don’t advise using matchsticks as they burn quickly and have a strong sulfur aftertaste. They are also tricky to manage, and you could easily burn your fingers.
Cannabis grinders are the most efficient tools for breaking down weed and producing the best result.
Break off 2-3 buds – the parts that look a little like dryer lint – and place them amongst the “teeth” of the grinder.
Replace the top and twist the lid back and forth until most of the marijuana has broken down and fallen into the lower compartment of the grinder. You’ll know it’s time to stop when the grinding becomes much easier.
If a grinder is not on hand, you can snip up the buds with a clean and sharp pair of scissors.
Put your cannabis buds in a shot glass or the fold of a piece of paper and get snipping. This will help to keep everything contained, making it easier to cut up and avoid mess.
Cut up the flower until it is the consistency of herbs in a seasoning shaker. This may take a little longer, but you’ll get there with patience.
Don’t have access to either of these? Not a problem. Place down a tray, piece of paper, or any other receptacle to catch the flakes. Put on gloves to avoid the smell of weed on your fingers, and roll the buds between your fingers.
You can also use a mortar and pestle to grind your weed. However, this might leave anything you grind up later with a slight marijuana taste.
The choice is yours, but we recommend using a grinder for ease, speed, and the best results.
It may seem like the most straightforward thing in the world, but there is an art to packing a bowl. The aim is to strike a balance between easy airflow and slow burning.
Start by putting some slightly larger pieces of weed at the bottom of the bowl. This will prevent any other smaller pieces from falling through into the chamber.
Pack the middle of the bowl loosely to allow for easy airflow and most tightly at the top for a slower burn.
Finish off your bowl by gently tamping it with the bottom of a lighter or a tamping tool. You don’t want to compress it too much as this will restrict air and cause resin buildup at the bowl’s bottom.
The methods for lighting and smoking your bowl differ slightly depending on whether you are smoking a pipe or a bowl.
If you smoke a pipe, hold the chamber in your hand with one finger over the carb. Bring the mouthpiece to your lips. With your free hand, bring the flame of a lighter or hemp wick close to your bowl.
Begin inhaling slowly and deeply, and the cannabis will catch alight. Continue inhaling, and cannabis smoke will start collecting in the chamber of your pipe.
When you’ve collected enough smoke, let go of the carb and give a big drag to inhale all the smoke fully.
If you’re smoking with a bong, the process differs slightly. If your bong has a carb on the side of the chamber, hold it so your finger covers the hole. If not, bring the mouthpiece up and place your lips inside it.
Bring a flame near the bowl and begin taking gentle inhales. Smoke will percolate through the water at the bottom of the bong and start gathering in the chamber.
When you are ready, either let go of the carb or lift the bowl with your free hand and inhale all the smoke sharply.
Congratulations on completing your smoking session!
To make your cannabis go further, you should try cornering your bowl. When smoking with a party of friends, try igniting the side of the bowl instead of the middle.
The aim of “cornering” is to produce more green or fresh hits from a bowl of cannabis. Alongside lighting the edge of your bowl, you can also control the flame.
Bringing a lighter or hemp wick to almost make contact with your cannabis but not quite touching it is another way of preserving your favorite herb. When you inhale, the flame lightly touches the bowl and ignites only a few embers.
Cornering your bowl will give you the most bang for your buck and help leave ashy inhales behind. If you are smoking in a bigger group, cornering your bowl is also considered polite manners. This means that everyone has a fresh hit.
When cornering your bowl, remember to inhale slowly and steadily. This will help you not to burn through your marijuana too quickly, and it will encourage maintaining your embers.
Successfully cornering your cannabis will encourage a “cherried” bowl. This refers to when the bowl remains alight after you have exhaled. The red, glowing embers are reminiscent of cherries, which inspired the term.
It’s polite to let the person you pass your pipe or bong to know that the bowl is cherried to preserve smoke.
Short, quick puffs will keep it burning for longer. So keep huffing and puffing.
Allow the cannabis to stop burning, and let the bowl cool down. Use a metal or glass poker to gently tamp down any remaining herb in the bowl, helping to extinguish any embers fully.
Once the bowl has cooled completely, carefully dispose of the ash by tapping or gently emptying it into a designated ashtray or suitable disposal container. Ensure the ash is entirely cool before discarding it to prevent potential fire risks.
If you have leftover cannabis, store it in an airtight container away from direct light and heat. And if you’re using a pipe, be sure to clean it well to prevent residue buildup.
While packing and smoking a bowl of marijuana may seem intimidating initially, we promise that it’s actually quite straightforward. And with a bit of practice, it can be perfected.
It is a timeless way to enjoy your favorite strains of cannabis, and mastering smoking a bowl will undoubtedly enhance your relationship with this plant. By following our guidelines, you are guaranteed to master a smoother, more enjoyable experience!
Are you ready to elevate your senses and experience the world of cannabis like never before? Here at Embarc, we welcome all community members, be they newbies or seasoned professionals. Our cannabis aficionados are here to share their expertise, providing insights that empower you to make informed choices.
