A glass bubbler is a type of compact water pipe. Essentially, it’s a hybrid of the custom bong and a standard glass pipe. They’re small enough to be carried virtually anywhere with little hassle which makes them convenient and ensures discretion.

Bubblers come in a virtually unlimited number of designs, are remarkably sturdy, and provide you the ability to enjoy large cool hits as you would with a full-sized customized water pipe without having to schlep your tabletop bong everywhere you go.

The typical glass bubbler has a stem, mouthpiece, and water chamber just like a regular bong. And though most have a fixed bowl, some have a removable bowl, thereby truly blurring the line between bong and bubbler.

One could make an argument that a bubbler is nothing more than a compact, customized bong, but that’s a debate for another day. For now, let’s take a closer look at glass bubblers, the different types, how to use them, and their pros and cons.

The Different Kinds of Glass Bubblers

As we mentioned, the variety of glass bubblers is almost unlimited. That said, the different designs tend to fall into one of the following general categories.

• The Concentrate - This type of bubbler is used exclusively for cannabis concentrates.
• The Double Bubbler - As the name implies the double bubbler features two water chambers that produce a very smooth, refreshing hit.
• The Hammer - If you’re a fan of design with industrial overtones you’ll love the hammer. It has the simple utilitarian shape of a nail driver and delivers hits that might KO you.
• The Pendant - If you think this sounds like something you’d wear around your neck, you’re right. Not advised in states where cannabis use will get you in hot water.
• The Sidecar - This bubbler design features a stem and mouthpiece that attach to the side of the water chamber. The idea is that it staves off splashback.

How to Use This Type of Custom Water Pipe

If you have any experience with bongs using a glass bubbler will likely be second nature to you. But if you’re new to glass water pipes you’ll want to read on.

Filling the Bubbler

Whether experienced bong veteran or total newbie it’s likely you’ll find the process of adding water to your glass bubbler to be the trickiest part of using one of these compact water pipes.

Because there are so many different glass bubbler designs it's not possible to provide one-size-fits-all instructions about the proper way to fill them, but in our experience, the best approach is to pour the water in through the bowl. Seems a bit unorthodox to be sure, but the alternatives are not advised.

For instance, if you pour water in through the mouthpiece you’ll have a difficult time keeping track of exactly how much you poured in until it all settles. If you’ve added too much water it’s going to foul your hits and create problems with backsplash.

If you have any doubts about the best way to fill your bubbler make sure you buy it in a brick and mortar shop and ask the salesperson to demonstrate the process for you.

Packing the Bowl

Remember, there’s water in your glass bubbler. So be sure when you fill the bowl that you set the bubbler on a nice flat surface. As with a standard or custom bong, don't pack the bowl too tightly. A nice even burn requires a loose pack that promotes optimal airflow.

Sparking Up the Bowl

Don’t press the flame down into the bowl and inhale as hard as you can. Instead, hold the flame above the herb and move it around while performing a steady, moderate inhale. Don’t forget to hold your finger over the carb hole until you’re ready to release the hit.

Cleaning Up Before Moving On

You met up with your buddies and copped a nice buzz, now you’re ready to head home. Before you do, make sure you dump all the water out of the bubbler and that you clean the bowl thoroughly. Failing to clean up could produce quite a mess in your backpack or in your car.

The Pros and Cons of Glass Bubblers

Everything, including this type of customized water pipe, has pros and cons associated with it. Here are some of the most commonly cited pros and cons of glass bubblers.

Glass Bubbler Pros

• Much easier to transport than a full-sized bong.
• Provides a more satisfying experience than standard glass pipes.
• Glass bubbler designs are often works of art unto themselves.
• Smoking herb from a water pipe is easier on your lungs than smoking joints.

Glass Bubbler Cons

• “Glass” should be an indication that you need to handle them carefully.
• Most are one piece making them pretty difficult to clean thoroughly.
• The bowl on a bubbler is pretty small so you’ll be filling it often if you’re smoking with friends.
• The design of the bubbler is set in stone, so unlike your full-sized customized bong, you won't be able to swap out components.

The Bottom Line

The glass bubbler occupies a gray area between a full-size bong and a glass pipe. They're great to take with you when you go out, but are also difficult to clean and the bowls are pretty small. If you’re unsure whether a glass bubbler is for you, stop by our shop on Colfax Avenue in Denver and talk to one of our helpful staff.