In the times where bongs and dab rigs are elevated to the rank of god-like paraphernalia, many people tend to downplay devices like the one hitter pipes.
Although they look very innocent at first glance, they can still pack a punch and give you a nice shot of cannabinoids, while being convenient, easy to use, and portable to the bone.
It’s the Maxxie Bouges of cannabis — not as big as other players, but it can still drop your ass in a flash if you neglect its potential.
That’s why we think one-hitter pipes have been unjustly discredited over the years. We’ve heard every possible negative opinion about one-hitters out there — they don’t hit like larger pipes or bongs, they’re cheap, and you can always use a vape pen of a similar size and get even more out of your stash.
Okay, we get that.
But those people tend to forget that one-hitters aren’t about gargantuan hits and advanced filtration systems — they have a different purpose, and they serve it exceptionally well.
Today, we’ll discuss the advantages of one-hitter pipes, how to use them, and what material is the best for your first purchase.
What Is a One Hitter Pipe?
As the name suggests, one-hitter pipes are pipes designed for taking a single heat. They typically look like skinny, tubular pipes with a mouthpiece at one and and a tiny bowl at the other.
These devices offer a high level of convenience, allowing the user to stay low-profile while inhaling their herbs. One hitters are usually preferred by those living or traveling in locale’s with hostile marijuana laws.
Interestingly, one-hitters aren’t a new invention. They have been around for thousands of years, better known as kiseru (Japan), sebsi (Morocco), and midwakh (Middle East). Many people call them one-hitter bats, one-hitter cigarettes, or dogouts.
Now, let’s discuss different types of one-hitter pipes.
Types of One-Hitter Pipes
One-hitters come in different sizes, shapes, and materials. Typically, there are 3 types of one-hitter pipes you may come across.
1. Metal
Metal combines durability with discretion. Although it’s not the best type of one-hitter when it comes to flavors, some people won’t use any other material than metal for an unknown reason. Maybe because they just look super cool.
2. Glass
Glass is the best material to draw the most out of your strain’s flavors. The herbs taste clean because they don’t interact with other materials like metal. However, glass pieces are easily broken, so it’s better to choose a pipe made from borosilicate glass; otherwise, you may end up with a broken one-hitter and a broken heart.
3. Wood
There are plenty of other types of one-hitter pipes on the market — most of them are made from wood. We don’t recommend them as daily drivers, as they’re more difficult to clean than glass and metal, not to mention that there’s no crisp flavor provided by the two above materials.
The Pros of One Hitter Pipes
One-hitter pipes are ubiquitous in the smoking community for a few good reasons. In this section, we’ll tell you why you may want to buy yourself this handy piece.
1. One Hitter Pipes Are Portable & Easy to Use
Whenever you don’t have time to roll a joint or pack a bowl of your bong, the one-hitter will be your savior. These devices are beyond intuitive and super easy to use. You can conceal them in a pocket of your jeans or jacket — they’re so easy to carry around.
You just grind your cannabis buds, press the bowl of the one hitter into the herb, get rid of the excess flower from the outer side of the bowl, and you’re ready to smoke.
Once done, tap out the ash, scrape out the resin, and there you go — the whole magic behind one-hitter’s maintenance. No rubbing and rinsing unlike with bongs and bubblers.
2. One Hitters Are Discreet
A sleek one-hitter pipe will save you lots of stress and unnecessary neck movements because you won’t need to turn your head around each time you’re about to light up. As we said, one-hitters are designed to give you just one hit. How more discreet can it get?
3. One Hitters Help You Consume Weed On a Budget
The dark times have come and you’re in need of a budget solution to keep your endocannabinoid system running on the higher gear without a break? The one hitter will help you get the most out of your stash. When inhaled properly, the smoke from the one-hitter is extremely effective. Also, you reduce the weed waste, especially if you compare it to a joint.
4. A One Hitter Pipe = Potent Hits
If you expect a weak puff from one-hitters, then some units may make you feel disappointed. Some one-hitters can hit exceptionally hard, so don’t underestimate them!
The Cons of One Hitter Pipes
We’re not trying to idealize the one-hitter pipe. In fact, there are some cons that you should be aware of when approaching this type of pipe for the first time:
- Many modern one-hitters have too many compartments
- They only hold a gram of ground weed on average
- They’re not suitable for group smoking
- It’s a fast mean of getting high, nothing ritualistic or super enjoyable about the process
Aside from that, a one-hitter is a versatile tool that comes in handy for special occasions, such as traveling, low-profile smoking, or just taking small doses of cannabis.
How Do People Use One Hitters?
Here are some awesome ideas to spend your me-time with a one-hitter and your favorite cannabis strain to take the most out of their benefits:
- Smoke in nature
- Use your one-hitter at outdoor concerts for a quick puff
- Take it whenever you need a low-key tool for smoking
- Make the one-hitter your last-resort for conserving the least of your weed.
As you can see, the one-hitter pipe is an effective yet underrated accessory. Fortunately, it has received its second life recently, and more people than ever start to see its advantages, such as the aforementioned portability, low-profile, and budget-friendliness.
When do you like to use one-hitter pipes?
