If we’re totally honest, most of us choose a pipe
based on aesthetics, and there’s no shame in that. The world of pipes is more diverse and
extensive than ever before, and there are countless ones available that are
works of art as much as they are functional means for smoking our herb.
But, there are a number of factors that you should
take into account prior to buying a pipe, because the reality is that the pipe
you choose can have a lot to do with the quality of your smoking sessions.
Specifically, we’ll be comparing glass and silicone
pipe abilities when it comes to handling heat.
Obviously, you can’t smoke your herb without heat. So, which type of material is more equipped
to handle that heat without breaking, shattering, burning you or simply
delivering a disappointing smoke? Let’s
find out. However, we also want to point
out that both of these materials are extremely popular and are dominating
today’s pipe market.
What are Glass Pipes?
Glass pipes have been around for longer than silicone
pipes, and continue to be widely used to this day. Glass pipes are made from a uniquely thick
and durable glass so that they are not as likely to shatter as one may
think.
There are two types of glass pipes: standard pipes and
water pipes. Water pipes use a water
chamber that serves to cool the smoke, and creates a bubbling effect when air
is drawn through the mouthpiece.
Standard pipes consist of a bowl, a steam and a mouthpiece, and are
extremely easy to use.
What are Silicone Pipes?
Silicone pipes are fairly recent compared to other
pipe materials, and are quickly becoming enormously popular. Their main appeal is their durability,
because even the toughest glass materials can break if dropped or knocked over
in an unfortunate event. Silicone is
almost unbreakable, being a synthetic polymer derived from quartz and sand.
Another appeal of silicone pipes are the way in which
they don’t require as much cleaning.
Over time, trace amounts of ash and resin build up in a pipe and must be
cleaned. Glass pipes are more prone to
getting “dirty” than silicone pipes, so those who have silicone pipes don’t
need to spend as much time on maintenance.
Which One is More Heat-Resistant?
So, which type of pipe is more capable of handling the
heat of your smoking sessions? Well, the
answer is neither. Both glass and
silicone pipes are constructed to perfectly handle the heat produced when you
smoke. Smoke can only reach so high of a
temperature, and both glass and silicone can withstand this particular
temperature.
One thing that’s worth pointing out, however, is that
water pipes are designed to cool down the smoke. Therefore, if you are particularly sensitive
to heat, you may want to go with this type of pipe.
As you can see, both glass and silicone pipes are
specially designed to handle the heat of a regular smoking session. Therefore, if heat resistance is your main
priority, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.
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