Nowadays, there are two types of pipe materials
that are widely available on the market: those made from glass, and those made
from silicone. Glass pipes have stood
the test of time, and we have evidence that they’ve actually been used for
thousands of years. Obviously, silicone
is a product of the modern age, so it’s a newer addition to the pipe market,
but it’s proving to be extremely valuable in many ways.
So, Which Type of Pipe is the Better Choice Then?
Well, that all depends on what you’re looking
for. There are some clear differences
between each one that need to be considered before settling on the perfect pipe
for your smoking needs.
Durability
Durability is important, especially among the clumsier
herbal enthusiasts out there. Handling
our pipes up to several times a day greatly increases the chances of dropping
them, and they can also get knocked over when they’re stored. It goes without saying that glass isn’t the
most durable material of all time.
Although glass pipes use a specific type of glass material that’s
thicker and sturdier than, say, the glass used to make wine glasses, it’s still
capable of shattering, chipping, or cracking if exposed to enough of a blow.
Therefore, silicone easily beats out glass in this
department. Silicone doesn’t chip or
shatter, and cracks only happen under extreme circumstances, like twisting the
pipe beyond its capability. You can drop
silicone a thousand times and not worry about the repercussions, other than
some of your herb falling out.
Travel-Friendliness
While there are certainly portable versions of both
glass and silicone pipes in terms of size and shape, it’s easier to travel with
a silicone pipe because you don’t need to be as cautious about protecting it
from breaking while in transit. With
glass pipes, we have to be careful to wrap them beforehand and store them in a
secure spot in our bag, where they won’t get knocked around and risk
breaking. A silicone pipe can just be
thrown in there without worrying about what might happen to it, because of its
durability. And, while it’s not good to
bend or twist a silicone pipe on a regular basis, it is flexible enough to work
with smaller spaces.
Cleaning
Both silicone and glass are relatively easy to clean,
especially when compared to other materials used to make pipes, like
ceramic. They’re both nonporous, which
means that you don’t have to scrub like crazy to get resin out of the nooks and
crannies. But, because silicone is
dishwasher-safe, it does come with an advantage over glass. However, ultimately, the process of cleaning
is the same if you opt for a dishwasher-free method and instead choose to soak
your pipe in a cleaning solution made for pipes.
Flavor
Many argue that the best material for preserving the
flavor of the herb is glass. Glass does
not leech its own compounds into your smoke, and therefore the flavor is clean
and fresh every time. Some people do
argue that silicone slightly alters the taste of your smoking sessions due to
the compounds in the silicone material.
So, if flavor is your number one priority, a glass pipe is a safer bet.
Storage
Ultimately, how easy a pipe is to store depends more
on its size or shape, and both glass and silicone pipes come in various
designs, with some being far easier to store away in a safe and discreet place
than others. But, the durability factor
comes into play here once again.
Silicone bongs are technically easier to store because you can keep them
in a place where you don’t need to worry about them getting rattled around and
possibly breaking, like a drawer that’s filled with other items. And, you can keep it in a place where if it
gets knocked over, it’s no big deal, like on a shelf with lots of heavy books.
Visual Appeal
When it comes to aesthetics, things are up for
debate. Both glass and silicone pipes
come in beautiful designs that are completely unique from one another. A lot of traditionalists will tell you that
glass pipes are more beautiful, and that the art of blowing glass automatically
gives them more aesthetic value. But,
visual taste is subjective.
Heat
Perhaps the biggest question is, which of the two
materials is better equipped to handle the heat of your smoking sessions? Well, the answer is both. Both of these materials can withstand higher
temperatures than those that result from smoking your herb. In other words, they can both adequately
manage the act of smoking without any issues, so you don’t need to worry about
one being likely to melt as a result of regular smoking.
Glass or Silicone: Choice is Simply Yours to Make!
As you can see, neither glass nor silicone is the
objectively superior option. There is a
reason why both remain so popular – they each offer their own unique advantages
over the other, and ultimately both have what it takes to satisfy your smoking
hobby. So, instead of trying to look for
evidence that one is better than the other, simply ask yourself what your
priorities are when it comes to smoking.
- -If its durability and portability,
silicone may be the way to go. - -If it’s flavor and aesthetics, it’s likely
that a glass pipe will suit your needs.
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