What Is A Glass Bubbler Pipe?
If you're shopping for a glass bubbler, you'll notice Vapor.com has a myriad of bubblers to help enhance your session. While they're similar or fall under the same category as a beaker, they have their own unique set of benefits that a traditional beaker doesn't. While the origin of water pipes isn't easy to pinpoint, whoever invented it wanted all the benefits of a beaker but in a portable size. So once glassblowing was perfected in the mid-20th century, it wasn't long till we saw the first glass bubbler.
Whether you're a beginner or experienced smoker, if you're on the lookout for a smoking device that offers water filtration on the go, buying a bubbler is a perfect choice.
A bubbler pipe is an innovative and unique piece to have in any collection. Like a dry vape, a bubbler is small, easy to carry and conceal but with the added benefit of water filtration to enhance your smoking experience. A glass bubbler is also similar to a beaker because it has a bowl, mouthpiece, steam, and a chamber that holds water. Some also feature a carb and holes to clear out the smoke faster and multiple percolators to aerate each vapor draw. Most bubbler pipes also come with a fixed bowl that can't be removed.
Types Of Bubblers and What To Look For When Buying One
When you're shopping for a glass bubbler, there's a lot of things you should consider because bubblers come in so many variations. Something important to keep an eye out is for the type of glass that's used. Borosilicate glass is the best option because it is heavy, durable, and is a high heat tolerant glass. Other things to be on the lookout include the bowl size, straight tube or beaker style, water chamber size, and a solid base.
One of our personal favorites is the K. Haring Bubbler because this piece bridges the gap between street art and smoking culture. It's forged from thick borosilicate glass, has a large bowl, and a showerhead percolator with eight slits to deliver advanced water filtration for cool, purified smoke.
Here’s a few more common glass bubblers you should know about:
- Sherlock: this type of glass bubbler looks like the one famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes uses. Similar to a hammer pipe, except the stem is curved like an "S".
- Sidecar: the steam is attached to the side of the water chamber to avoid water splash-back.
- Pendant: this takes portability to the next level. This bubbler is smaller than other glass bubblers because it was designed to be worn around your neck.
- Concentrate: this was designed specifically for smoking concentrates and essential oils.
- Double Bubbler: a bubbler that features two percolators to filter the smoke twice for an extra-clean, smooth, cool hit of flavor.
How Does A Glass Bubbler Work?
- Simply start by adding water to the bubbler's water chamber (don't add too much water, or it will splash out).
- Depending on the type of glass bubbler you have, add your dry herbs or concentrate to the bowl at the end of your bubbler.
- It's time to spark your herbs or concentrate. If your bubbler has a carb hole, put a finger over it. Place your lips on the mouthpiece, light your flower or concentrate, and inhale so the smoke can flow into the water chamber. You’ll start to hear and see the bubbling action that cools and filters the smoke.
- When you're ready, remove your finger from the carb hole and use your lungs to inhale and clear the bubbler's chamber.
As you can see, it's easy for anyone to use a bubbler. All it takes is four easy steps, and you are on your way to becoming a pro.
Perks Of Using A Bubbler
The perks of a glass bubbler is the experience of a beaker in an easy-to-use, portable bubbler. It’s small size also makes it portable and ideal for more beginner smokers who aren't familiar with a beaker because it's easy to set up. They also elevate your smoking experience by giving you smooth hits for a pleasurable smoking experience.
Cleaning Your Bubbler
Using a glass bubbler the first time will always provide smooth draws and are a fantastic way to experience the flavor of your dry herb. But there will come a time when your bubbler needs a face lift, so we've got a guide on how to clean a bubbler to give your glass bubbler a "fresh out of the box feel" in no time. Here's a few items you'll need to properly clean your bubbler:
- Isopropyl alcohol (the higher percentage, the better)
- Salt (table or rock),
- A swab to clean hard-to-reach areas
- Something to plug the holes of your bubbler
- A rag or towel to dry it off when you're done
Vapor.com also carries a Higher Standards Supreme Clean Kit that has everything you need to clean your bubbler to make the cleaning process a little more convenient.
Begin by preparing your bubbler for a deep clean by rinsing all the dry herb or debris out with warm water. Then, create a solution to clean it, pour it inside, shake your bubbler so the solution can chip away at residue and caked-on dry herb inside your bubbler until it's clean, followed by rinsing & drying your bubbler. Now it's good as new!
Glass bubblers are a great middle-ground for new and experienced herb enthusiasts that want massive clouds and to experience the full taste of their dry herb in a portable form factor.