The word “Bubbler” is a slang term for a type of water pipe. A bubbler looks like a hand-held water pipe or a bong, but it is functionally closer to a pipe or an ash catcher.
If you wonder what is a bubbler, here’s everything to know about it.
A bubbler typically has two separate chambers connected by a small stem or tube called the “downstem.” The first chamber holds water, just like any other type of water pipe. When you light the bowl, smoke fills this chamber and travels down the downstem into the bottom chamber.
Some bubblers have a carb that you can cover to help clear the pipe of smoke when you are ready to take a puff. The water in the bottom chamber filters smoke through it, which cools and moisturizes it before inhalation.
When you’re getting a subscription box, you can get a bubbler as well, so learn everything you need to know about this nifty tool.
How Does a Bubbler Work?
To smoke through a bubbler, you need to cover the carb with your finger or thumb to prevent air from entering the bubbler while you light your bowl. Then fill the first chamber with 1-2 inches of water. After you’ve lit your bowl and started drawing, smoke will travel down into the bottom chamber, where the water will filter it. The bubbler will be able to produce a large amount of cool, clean smoke.
Bubblers can take any size smoke you’d like—they have no minimum draw requirement. Because the two chambers are directly connected, you can choose to do a small or a large hit and still receive smooth, filtered satisfaction.
If you need to clear your bubbler of smoke quickly, cover the carb with your thumb or finger and draw air through it for a few seconds. It will create pressure within the chamber that forces all available smoke into your lungs.
How is a Bubbler Different from a Hand Pipe?
Bubblers and hand pipes work in different ways. You will take less than one large hit from a bubbler, while you might need to take several hits from a hand pipe before you feel satisfied. It is because the smoke must travel directly from the bowl into the stem of a hand pipe without any water in the way to filter or moisturize it.
When you smoke from a bubbler, the water in the lower chamber filters and moisturizes your smoke before inhalation, allowing for larger smokes that are smoother and more satisfying. When using a bubbler you will also need less of the product itself compared to using only a hand pipe—you will need at least twice as much as you would need for a hand pipe.
Benefits of Bubblers
- Water filters and moisturizes smoke, making your product last longer and minimizing throat irritation.
- Two chambers allow you to take larger hits if desired without any harshness or discomfort.
- Bubblers are available in many sizes—choose a large bubbler to enjoy a few days’ worth of smoking in one session.
- Bubblers have two chambers, so you can keep one chamber fresh while taking a break from the other.
How to Clean a Bubbler
When it’s time for a cleanse, place your bubbler in a bowl of hot water and let it soak for a few minutes. If you need to clear the bubbler of smoke debris, use a pipe cleaner or a small brush to scrub away residue from the stem.
After your cleanse, allow your bubbler to dry completely before using it again. Dryer climates will require less drying time than more humid climates, so check back frequently to ensure that your bubbler isn’t tacky before you use it again.
This article was a brief guide to shine a line on what is a bubbler. If you choose to use a bubbler, take care of it and clean it regularly to enjoy its use over a long period of time.