Know Your Options: Types of Bowl for Your Next Toke

To the uninitiated, a bowl doesn’t sound like much… but a bowl is one of the most important parts of any piece of smoking glass. Whether it’s a bong, dab rig, or pipe pice, the bowl refers to the piece that holds whatever it is you’re smoking. A bowl is also the common name for the pipe pieces used to smoke cannabis. If someone asks if you have a bowl, chances are they’re asking about this. Compact and lightweight, the bowl is the perfect on-the-go smoking instrument. Whether it’s a walk to the park or a cross-country flight, the bowl is convenient whenever you travel. Bowls are not just great for travel, but also perfect for at-home use – especially if you’re trying to have a speedy smoke sesh.

Another great thing about bowls is how many different types of bowls exist, providing a great catalog of variety that caters to each smoker’s taste. Once you dive into the world of bowls, you’ll discover how unique and custom each type of bowl can be.

Classic Bowl/Spoon Pipe

The classic bowl/spoon pipe is the quintessential bowl found in every smoker’s repertoire. The spoon pipe gets its name from its spoon-like shape. The spoon pipe features a rounded pocket where your herb is packed which is the bowl itself, a stem that extends from a bowl to the mouthpiece where the smoke funnels through, and a carb hole where the smoker puts their finger over to create suction while inhaling. The classic bowl is usually made from glass, but can also be made from metal, wood, or even ceramic. Portable, easy to use, and highly customizable, the spoon pipe can be crafted as a simple functional smoking piece or a complex work of art such as this unique spoon pipe:

Sherlock Pipe

The aristocratic smoking piece, a sherlock pipe is easily distinguishable by its long-curved stem that helps cool the smoke from the deep-pocketed bowl that can hold plenty of cannabis. These pipes are usually made from wood, for a traditional sherlock pipe tobacco experience, or glass or ceramic for repeat cannabis use. These pipes are great for the sophisticated smoker who enjoys the distinct aesthetic that the sherlock pipe provides. Going for a glass or ceramic sherlock pipe usually gives you many options for customization such as this cartoony-themed piece:

Steamroller pipe

These cylindrical straight tube pieces are unique for their ability to provide powerful, quick hits. With a design that looks as if you just took the straight tube part of a bong, these open-ended pieces give you fat plumes of smoke to inhale all at once, making them a favorite amongst experienced smokers. These pieces typically have the bowl located on one end with the carb hole and a mouthpiece on the other – making it intuitive to use despite its obtuse look. Like the sherlock and spoon pipes, glass artists can craft incredibly complex custom steamroller pipes that are awe-inspiring like this fumed steamroller piece:

Hammer Pipe

The hammer pipe is aptly named for its hammer-like shape. These pipes are very durable, with their hammer-like shape providing stability not found in other pipes and are easy to handle. These pipes are usually smaller than the pipe bowls, making it a good option when looking for portability. Of course, like the other types of pipes, there are plenty of customizable options to be had with the hammer pipe, such as this one adorned with glass beads:

Bubbler

The love child between water pipes and hand pipes, the bubbler has all the best features of its parents. It’s essentially all the convenience of a compact pipe, with the quality smooth hits you get from a bong. The bubbler has a water chamber that cools and filters your smoke, but it is part of an overall singular piece – making it easy to carry and store. The bubbler is an incredibly versatile piece that is almost always found with some kind of unique customization like this one: 

Foldable/Stealth Bowl

The stealth bowl is optimal for exactly its namesake. Typically features a foldable design that allows the bowl and stem to fold into a compact shape, these pipes are the best for absolute portability and in conspicuity. A part of their design is that they’re meant to be extremely durable. Made from stainless steel, aluminum, or heat-resistant silicone, the stealth bowl is built the best out of any bowl for constant travel. Since they’re meant to be sleek and unnoticeable, the customization you’d find for a folding pipe usually comes down to functional design like this magnetic folding pipe:

Rocker Bowl

The rocker bowl has a great gimmick where the pipe will sway when put on a flat surface. Their unique design has a distinctive aesthetic appeal that also maintains stability. The rocker bowl has a curved base that lets it rock back and forth, but also keeps it upright. The bowl part of the piece sits atop the base, and the mouthpiece is found at the end of the stem. The unique design of the rocker bowl lends itself to really creative configurations, like this rocking blowfish smoking pipe: 

When it comes to quality and aesthetics, there is no substitute for American glass artists. When you buy a custom bowl from a talented artist, you’re more than guaranteed a piece that will last and leave an impression. Buying from an untrusted source will most likely leave you with a bowl that does not have the durability or flash that a bowl from a trusted artist gives you.

The great thing about bowl shopping is that it’s incredibly easy online, especially when you use Giggle Glass. Here at Giggle Glass we have the finest assortment of custom bowls made by talented glass artists. Giggle Glass offers a wide range of the mentioned bowl types, with artists that are open to providing customization tailored to your tastes and preferences. So when it comes to your bowl shopping needs, shop Giggle Glass!