Smoking a pipe, is there anything cooler? For pipe enthusiasts, the answer is “no.” Pipes offer the chance for users to combine style, class, and smoking their favorite product.
Although they may not have quite reached mainstream success, chillum pipes are starting to make their presence known. These pipes can be traced to Indian holy men and Hindu monks thousands of years ago.
What Is a Chillum Pipe?
A chillum pipe functions similarly to a cigarette. It features a thin tube, mouthpiece, and bowl in one straight line. These pipes are known to be smaller than many of the other pipes on the market but are known for giving users quick and robust hits, leading to one of their nicknames, one-hitter.
One factor that sets chillum pipes apart from others is that they do not have a carb hole. A carb hole is what allows smokers to have control over the smoke in the pipe. A chillum does not have one means users run the risk of catching herb or ash in their throat after a hit.
Not to worry, though. There are ways chillum users can prevent this.
How to Use a Chillum Pipe
One reason chillum pipes are so popular is that they are easy to use, making them a good option for beginner pipe smokers. Here’s how to use it:
- Pile tobacco on a tray.
- Press the end of the pipe into the product you are smoking. Use your finger to press it onto the pipe, ensuring the tobacco sticks.
- Put your mouth on the mouthpiece and light the opposite end.
- Inhale slowly and lightly.
- Enjoy the quick hits.
Because of the chillum’s design, there is a risk of the herb or tobacco falling out. To prevent this, it is recommended that users hold the pipe at a 45-degree angle.
To prevent inhaling a throatful of ash or herb with each hit, place your fist around the mouthpiece. Your fist will act as a filter. If you prefer not to use your fist, you can place a piece of material around the mouthpiece instead.
Chillum pipes are also known to put off quite a bit of smoke. This smoke can be quite hot, so be careful on your first use, so you do not burn yourself.
Keep in mind that chillum pipes are quite small. Because of their size, users will not get a large number of hits from it. Instead, these pipes are suitable for a few quick hits.
The Benefits of Using Chillum Pipes
There are many reasons more and more people are starting to use chillum pipes. Some of the benefits of chillum pipes include:
- They are simple to use.
- They are small, which makes them portable.
- They are light and easy to handle and carry.
- They are easy to clean, thanks to their straight design.
- They are discreet and easy-to-use in public, thanks to their small size.
- They are relatively inexpensive compared to other pipes.
Although chillum pipes have so many benefits, keep in mind their quick, few hit nature. If repacking a bowl is not something you like to do, a chillum pipe may not be the best option.
Types of Chillum Pipes
Chillum pipes are available in many different designs and can be made from various materials.
Clay chillums are a favorite among many users, thanks to their cooling potential. This material is also cool to hold in your hands.
Glass chillum pipes are also popular. Glass chillums offer a cleaner, smoother hit than some of the other types. Glass ones can also be quite ornate, making them a decorative choice as well as a smoking option.
Chillum pipes can also be made from titanium, ceramic, and even soapstone.
How to Clean a Chillum Pipe
It is important to clean a chillum pipe after each use. Regular cleaning will keep the pipe in good condition and give you the best experience each time. Every once in a while, though, there may be residue that sticks and won’t come out. For this reason, it needs an occasional deep clean.
Thankfully, cleaning a chillum pipe is quite easy, thanks to its design and smaller size. There are also different ways to clean it, ranging from quick maintenance cleaning to deep cleaning should the product get stuck in the pipe.
Basic cleaning methods involve using a Q-tip or pipe cleaner. Simply run a Q-tip or pipe cleaner through the length of the pipe. This will remove any residue left behind as well as any moisture, preventing buildup and impacting your pipe smoking experience down the road.
Chillum pipes sometimes may need a deep clean. Some residue may not be easy to get out. For this, there are a few cleaning options.
- Use boiling water. Boil some water and use tongs to hold the pipe. Then, carefully, pour the water through the pipe.
- Soak it in alcohol. Soak the pipe in rubbing alcohol for a few hours, and then rinse it carefully.
- Bring in rock salt. Finally, for stuck residue, put rubbing alcohol in a bag (it should be just enough to cover the pipe) and add some rock salt. Shake the bag so the salt gets into the pipe, scrubbing away residue.
Whatever method you use to clean your chillum pipe, it is important that it dries completely before the next use. Not letting the pipe dry properly can cause whatever you put in next to get stuck, moisture to build up, and the pipe's experience to be impacted. By taking time to clean the pipe after each use, you can ensure it stays in good condition for a long time to come.
Chillum Pipes Summary
If a chillum pipe sounds like something you may want to try, there are many different types out there. Offering quick effects, portability, and many other benefits, chillum pipes look to become more popular as time goes on. Although they may already be thousands of years old, thanks to their increasing popularity, they will live on for years to come.
