What’s the Purpose of a Carb on a Pipe?
When it comes to methods of smoking, every smoker has their preferences. We all develop specific tastes as we puff over the years! People who smoke at home might favor bongs, because they filter smoke. Smokers who prefer concentrates might like to smoke a dab rig, rather than dry herbs. Some of us even smoke from fruit!
However, hand pipes are a simple method of smoking that every responsible smoker from a school nurse to your mama can appreciate. While there are several different styles of glass hand pipes with different features, each of them contain a carb. The carb is super important in helping the glass pipe to be simple, but also effective and enjoyable. Read on to learn more about the purpose of the carb, and how it improves the hand pipe experience.
What is a carb?
A carb is the small hole on the left or right side of your pipe or bubbler that can be easily covered and uncovered by your thumb while you're smoking. The term "carb" is the shortened version of the word carburetor which is a crucial part of a cars engine that combines fuel and air. That is why its called a carb on a pipe because it functions similar to a car engine.
What is the Carb on a Glass Hand Pipe?
As we mentioned before, the shape of bowls and hand pipes can vary by style. Some glass pipes are shaped like spoons, with a simple, flat design. Others are crafted in the recognizable style of Sherlock Holmes called sherlock pipes. Some smokers prefer hand pipes that are shaped in the standard tobacco style, with a long, straight pipe. Bubblers are slightly larger than the normal glass pipes, permitting water filtration in the same style as a bong. One of the major similarities between these glass pipe styles is the carb.
The carb is a small hole on the glass pipe. It's located directly next to the bowl, which is where the dry herb is packed. Experienced smokers know exactly how to work their thumbs over the carbs to control airflow. However, it may also be on the front of the hand pipe. While the carb is subtle on some hand pipes, the carb hole can also be a crucial part of the design.
What is the Purpose of the Carb Hole?
Believe it or not, the carb hole on a glass hand pipe is extremely integral to the smoking process.
First and foremost, the carb allows you to introduce air at precisely the right moment. As you light your herbs and begin to inhale, you should be covering the carb hole with your thumb. Next, when you move your finger and continue to inhale, the air helps to direct the smoke into your lungs. Hand pipes with carbs make an excellent addition to a smoker's road trip!
Clearing the Bowl
In theory, the purpose of the carb hole is to divide the smoking process into two steps. During the first step, you create the smoke by burning the dry herb. During the second step, you inhale the smoke.
The carb hole is what allows this process to work correctly. When you remove your finger from the carb hole, you should be able to inhale all of the smoke that was inside the bowl. Therefore, paying attention to the carb will help you to clear the bowl.
Cornering the Bowl
Cornering the bowl is one of the most important aspects of proper smoking etiquette. It may sound complicated, but cornering is actually quite simple. Instead of holding the lighter directly over the dry herb, you should place the lighter on the rim of the bowl. While doing so, you should be keeping your finger over the carb.
Control Over the Smoking Experience
Generally speaking, the carb hole is crucial in helping smokers to control the smoking experience. For seasoned smokers that understand how to use the carb hole correctly, this is important. The carb hole helps you understand when to expect the smoke!
Why Don’t Bongs Have Carb Holes?
In a way, bongs and water pipes are quite similar. Both of these smoking pieces rely on controlled airflow for the smoker to properly inhale. In fact, the difference between the two is that bongs offer advanced filtration, with both a water chamber and percolators. So, why don’t bongs have carb holes?
The answer is simpler than you might think. When smoking a hand pipe, the carb hole cuts off air from everything but the bowl. The same concept applies with a bong. When you remove the bowl after drawing smoke into the chamber, the airflow that you create helps you to inhale. So, in a way, the bowl area or downstem acts as the carb hole. This can help you choose the right bong for you.
High-Quality Glass Hand Pipes
Whether you’re smoking from a Sherlock pipe or a dab rig, you want to do it right. Paying attention to your finger placement on the carb can go a long way in improving your smoking experience.
At Toker Supply, we never stock any glass hand pipes created with low-quality glass. As smoking enthusiasts, we’re here to help you enjoy your dry herbs and the pipes you smoke them out of. If you’re looking for a new piece that will take you through the years, then check out our collection of glass pipes!
Carb Hole FAQs
Why do pipes have hole in the side?
Pipes have a hole in the side so you can restrict and unrestrict airflow to the pipe to inhale the smoke. By covering the hole it allows your herbs to ignite better and build up smoke in the pipe and when you uncover the hole it allows you to inhale all the smoke that was built up.
How to smoke from a pipe without a carb?
If your pipe does not have a carb hole then you simply inhale while you are lighting your herbs. While a carb hole makes for a much better smoking experience it is not entirely needed for smoking. Although we highly recommend if you are using a pipe without a hole to get one that does have a carb hole.
How do you smoke a pipe with a carb?
It's simple, to smoke a pipe with a carb you simply cover the hole while you are lighting your herbs and then remove your finger to inhale all the smoke.