Are Silicone Pipes Better than Glass Pipes?
August 10, 2020The Answer is Ultimately up to You
When it comes to shopping for a new smoking pipe, the thing that matters over anything else is the preference of the person the pipe is for. If you are shopping for a friend or family member and you know they prefer glass, then a silicone pipe would not be the best choice for them. If they have no preference either way, the silicone pipe you pick for them may very well end up being their new favorite piece.
Silicone pipes have become more popular in recent years for several great reasons. While glass is often the best option as far as flavor, silicone is superior in many ways. They are indestructible, a breeze to clean, and because of how cheap and easy silicone is to work with, you can find a silicone pipe in any style or color you can imagine.
The Pros and Cons of Silicone Pipes vs Glass Pipes
As with anything in life, there are going to be both positives and negatives that you come across. Silicone definitely has more pros than cons and it is important to look at the whole picture rather than just the positives so you can make an informed choice about which pipe you would like to add to your collection next.
Pros of a Silicone Pipe
Silicone Pipes Never Break
One of the best things about silicone is that it is a nearly indestructible material. You do not have to worry that if you drop it, the bowl will shatter, snap in half, or even crack. Silicone is also heat resistant so the chances of your lighter damaging the piece are more or less nonexistent.
Silicone Pipes Are Easier to Clean
If you have ever used silicone in the kitchen, you know that pretty much nothing stays stuck to the surface. This makes it a fantastic medium for the construction of smoking devices. As you smoke more and more, the surface of the pipe accumulates a build-up of resin that can be difficult to remove from glass. In fact, with glass pipes, there is a bit of elbow grease that goes along with cleaning them. Many people even use chemical cleaners to dissolve the resin. With a silicone pipe, any sticky residue that builds up inside of it can be easily peeled and wiped away without needing any tools or cleaning solutions.
Silicone Pipes Are Affordable
Silicone is a fantastic choice if you need a new piece and you are on a budget. Since it is not an expensive material, it does not cost the pipe producers much money to mass-produce tons of pipes in varying styles and colors. Low costs for the manufacturer, in turn, means lower costs for the consumer.
Cons Of A Silicone Pipe
Silicone Pipes Have No Color Changing Options
One of the coolest things you can experience when you get a glass pipe is when there is chameleon glass involved, which appears to change colors as the background becomes darker and darker due to the build-up of resin. Silicone pipes come in nearly any color you can imagine but they are limited and what you see is what you get as far as the color goes.
Silicone Pipes Have A More Basic Design
Many people that collect pipes, bongs and rigs prefer glass pieces because they can be functional artwork. Silicone is a more limited medium as far as effects that are available to get a really cool piece of smoking equipment, one reason being that it is opaque and some designs really flourish due to the transparent nature of glass.
Harder To Know When Its Time To Clean a Silicone Pipe
While silicone pieces are much easier to clean than glass or metal pieces, it is harder to tell when your bowl is ready for a cleaning. While this does not affect your ability to clean your pipe, it will just take a bit of work on your end to check the inside and decide if you are ready to clean it.
Should I Buy a Silicone Pipe
What it all boils down to is whether or not you want to try out a silicone pipe. There are a ton of perks that come along with these affordable pieces. If you do choose to try one out, you will not be disappointed. They are non-toxic, easy to use, and a breeze to clean.
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