Bubblers: What Are They And Why Use Them?

Smoking marijuana can be an incredibly diverse experience, especially when you consider the wide variety of strains available and the different ways to smoke them. Stuffing a glass pipe or rolling and lighting up a joint with dry herb is a standard procedure.

But there are more exotic devices that you can choose to use when it comes to smoking the herb.

What are Bubbler Pipes?

A bubbler is a type of water pipe and falls under the category of bongs. However, bubblers are entirely different in many ways and have a unique set of advantages that are not found in bongs.

Similar to the bongs though, bubblers feature a bowl, a mouthpiece, a stem and a chamber for holding water to allow the smoke to travel through. This allows the smoke to be cooled in the process, thus a smooth and buttery hit.

Some bubblers also have a percolator, which is an additional water chamber that helps further in the cooling process. Other models feature carb holes that allow for a cleaner and quicker clearing of the smoke.

Bubblers can in a way be viewed as hybrids between pipes and bongs. They are much smaller, but they function similarly as bongs, with shapes similar to pipes.

Types of Bubblers

Bubblers come in different forms, designs, and shapes. But despite this, they use the same principle of operation: they use water as a means of filtering smoke. Smoke passing through the water deposits debris and larger molecules into the water. The user will only inhale a steam not smoke.

Some of the major types of bubblers include:

• Hammer
• Sherlock
• Pendant
• Sidecar
• Double bubblers
• Concentrate

Hammer

This type of bubbler is referred by this name for its close resemblance to a hammer. It is designed to rest on a flat surface without rolling around.

Sherlock

The Sherlock bubbler resembles a Sherlock pipe and hence the name. It is more like a hammer bubbler, only that the stem is curved into an S shape.

Pendant

This bubbler type is a bit smaller. It is designed with a small hole or ring so that it can be put on a string or necklace and worn around the neck. It offers ultimate convenience.

Sidecar

This bubbler type features a stem and a mouthpiece attached to the side of the water chamber. It was designed to solve the issue of water splash-back, something that is common with the Sherlock and hammer bubblers.

Double Bubblers/Dual percolator

The double bubblers consist of two chambers instead of one. This allows the smoke to filter twice, giving you a flavor that is extra-clean, and smooth.

Concentrates

This type of bubbler is explicitly designed for smoking essential oils and concentrates rather than dry herb.

Advantages of Using A Bubbler

Portable

Bubblers are portable and can be carried just anywhere discreetly which causing any commotion. But there is a need to handle them with care especially the glass models.

More convenient

Bubblers offer smokers with a smooth and filtered hit of creamy smoke that has processed in both a percolator and water chamber. They can, in this case, be viewed as portable bongs.

Bubblers bring together the convenience and ease-of-use of a standard glass pipe combined with a smooth smoking experience of a bong. These devices are easy to use, and light.

Further reading: Differences Between Dab Rigs And Bongs