What Smells More: A Bong or a Pipe?

The smell of quality cannabis is a wonderful thing, unique in this world, and at least part of the pleasure associated with getting high. But as life-affirming and magical as the smell of cannabis can be there are times when you don’t want to wake up the world with the scent of your herb. And there are other times when cannabis-related odors can take on an unwelcome, acrid quality. In this post, the team at the 710 Pipes headshop in Denver examine which device produces more potent smells: the bong or the pipe.

Most regular smokers have their own opinion about whether a bong or a pipe produces more potent odors. But those are opinions. What we’re going to try to do here is examine each device closely and see if we can come up with an objective determination about which device smells more. Let’s start by taking a close look at each device.

The Pipe

A glass, wooden or stainless steel pipe has no water filtration system. This means that the smoke it produces is raw and unfiltered. That raw, unfiltered smoke contains a lot of particulates, terpenes and resin and these things tend to cling to upholstery, clothing, drapery and other items in the vicinity.

The smoke emitted by a pipe will always be hotter and denser than smoke emitted by a bong that has been filtered. It will typically hang in the air longer and may even result in non-smokers present copping the mythical “contact high”.

The quality of the smoke from a pipe will suffer over time unless you clean the pipe regularly. That’s because with each bowlful resin, tar and other debris that would be filtered out by the bong water ends up accumulating in the pipe negatively affecting the quality of the odors being emitted.

Finally, all but a tiny bit of the smoke produced by a bong is filtered. On the other hand, with a pipe each person draws more potent smoke into their mouth and any spillover or excess smoke released into the air before inhaling will be dense and filled with terpenes, the compounds that produce odor.

The Bong

The key difference between a pipe and a bong or heady glass is the water filtration system. Forcing smoke to pass through water removes all manner of tar, resin, particulates and even terpenes. As a result, the smoke that reaches the user smells less than it would if there were no water.

The water emitted by a bong is always going to be cooler and less dense than that emitted by a pipe. Any smoke that does make it into the air will dissipate more quickly than pipe smoke would, and it is less likely to cling to chairs, curtains, rugs and other items.

A bong hit typically leaves very little peripheral smoke to escape into the air and any smoke that is not inhaled contains less resin, tar, terpenes and particulate matter than pipe smoke.

There is a myth that bongs stay cleaner than pipes but that ignores reality. In truth, bong bowls collect as much resin, tar and particulate matter as pipe bowls and the water traps even more of those things that can be seen clinging to the inside of the water chamber in a bong that hasn’t been cleaned in a while.

Which Device Produces More Potent Odors? The Verdict

Given the above facts about pipes and bongs it is impossible for us to come to any other conclusion than that pipes produce more smells than bongs. And the main reason is the water filtration system on the bong.

In short the water chamber:

• Filters out particulate matter like tar and resin
• Creates cooler, less dense smoke that won’t cling so voraciously to fabrics
• Ensures the smoke smells less by removing terpenes, the compounds that produce odor

The bottom line is that if you are concerned about the amount of smoke being released by your cannabis process then it makes sense to peruse the heady glass in our online head shop and pick one up. Or you can do the same by stopping by our brick-and-mortar location.

Consistent Cleanings Make a Big Difference

As we mentioned earlier whether you use a pipe or a bong it won’t be long before resin, tar, and other materials collect in the chamber. As they do they’ll gradually make their presence known to a greater and greater degree and foul up your enjoyment of the beautiful, sustaining cannabis odors. The key to avoiding this unhappy solution is keeping your device clean.

Incorporating daily cleaning of your bong or pipe into your routine will help ensure that A) those nasty acrid odors don’t intrude on your process and that B) you are always able to enjoy the true, pure smell of your quality cannabis.

But if it’s been a while since you cleaned your bong you can still pull it back from the edge by giving the chamber a deep clean with isopropyl alcohol and salt. And by soaking the bowl in the same solution and then using a toothbrush and pipe cleaner to clean it thoroughly. You can do the same for your pipe.

Other Reasons to Clean Your Bong or Pipe Regularly

Other Tips to Minimize Cannabis Odors While Smoking

Even with a well-filtered bong or a freshly cleaned pipe, the scent of cannabis can linger longer than you’d like. Whether you live in a shared space, want to avoid attention, or just prefer a more discreet session, there are several steps you can take to reduce the smell.

Some of these solutions are quick and easy; others may require a little prep — but all can make a noticeable difference. Here are a few of the most effective ways to keep those telltale smells to a minimum during and after your smoke session:

• Use a Sploof or Smoke Filter
  Exhale your smoke through a sploof — a device that filters smoke using activated carbon or dryer sheets to trap odor. You can buy one or make your own with a toilet paper tube, rubber band and scented dryer sheets.
• Ventilate the Room
  Open a window and use a fan to keep fresh air moving. Direct the fan toward the open window to help blow smoke and odors outside, rather than letting them settle into fabrics and furnishings.
• Smoke Near a Bathroom Fan or Kitchen Vent
  Exhaust fans are designed to pull air — and smells — out of your living space. Standing near one while you smoke can help whisk those odors away before they have a chance to settle in.
• Store Your Cannabis Airtight
  Loose flower gives off a strong scent even when you’re not smoking it. Store your bud in an airtight glass jar or vacuum-sealed bag to lock in the smell between sessions.
• Light a Candle or Incense
  Lighting a scented candle, incense stick, or wax melt during your session can help mask the smell of cannabis smoke. Opt for stronger or herbal scents like patchouli, sandalwood or citrus-based aromas for better coverage.

“Nag Champa is an incense commonly burnt in ashrams. Using the smoke of the incense is a great way to cover the smell of weed…the incense smoke can also pull double duty to visually mask the cannabis smoke if it’s still lingering.”

–How can I hide the smell of weed? – Leafly

While these tips won’t eliminate odors entirely, they can significantly reduce how long smells linger and how strong they appear to others. Combine a few methods for even better results — and don’t forget regular cleanings of your gear go a long way too.

At the end of the day, being a considerate smoker isn’t just about your method — it’s about how you manage your space. A few quick changes can make every session more enjoyable, both for you and anyone sharing your environment.

Check Out the 710 Pipes Pipe Shop in Denver

Everybody wants to enjoy the smell of fresh, high-quality herb while they’re smoking. But if you’re concerned about your smoking creating too much smoke, or you noticed your hits don’t taste or smell as good as they did, then take the above information to heart.

Whether you are new to cannabis, looking to add to your collection of bongs and pipes or looking to replace an old bong or pipe you’ll find an incredible selection of cannabis pipes, bongs and more at the 710 Pipes online smoke shop. If you have any questions about any of our items give us a call at 303-365-0710. And don’t forget high-quality bongs and pipes also make great birthday and holiday presents!