3 Ways to Make Homemade Pipes

Picture this: You’ve just come home from a long day at work. You are ready to settle in for the evening. You have your dinner, your favourite chair is all set up, and you have some of your favourite cannabis strain ready to use. But it is then that you realize you don’t have a pipe or another way to smoke it.

Instead of letting this ruin your evening plans, you can make your own! DIY pipes are actually quite common, and you can use many things that you likely already have lying around the house to make them.

Your evening is saved as you gather up your supplies. You won’t need to make another trip out or forgo using your cannabis. Instead, you can enjoy your evening exactly as you had planned to.

Though making a homemade pipe is easier than you may think it is, knowing how to get started can be a challenge. We’ll break down the different types of pipes out there and show you how you can make a pipe at home.

The Types of Pipes on the Market Today

There are many types of pipes, but they will all fall under one of two categories: dry pipes or wet pipes. The two offer unique experiences, and which type of cannabis pipe you prefer is up to you. You can make both kinds of pipes in your home.

First, let’s look at dry pipes. These are pretty basic pipes. They are made up of a bowl and a neck. To use them, you simply pack your bowl with cannabis, cover it with a carb cap (optional), light it, and enjoy. Using this type of pipe will be similar to a joint in that you’ll be inhaling the unfiltered smoke from the weed.

A water pipe is a little different. Though it too will have a bowl, this bowl will connect to a downstem. The design and the presence of water will filter out the smoke before you inhale it, creating a cleaner hit. Bongs and bubblers fall into the water pipe category.

In addition to pipes being either dry or water type, there are also different types of pipes, named based on their design and the elements that make them. Let’s look at some of the most popular pipes you can buy right now, including: 

• Hand pipes. These are the most common pipe used to smoke cannabis. They are easy to use and sit in the palm of your hand. They are made up of a bowl, which you pack your cannabis in, and a stem, which you use to inhale the smoke. The bowl will have a hole in the bottom that helps the smoke travel through the stem. There is also a larger hole on the side to allow you to regulate the airflow in the pipe (this hole is called a carb). You may also see this type of pipe referred to as a “spoon.”
• One-hitters. These are popular pipes for people on the go or who maybe don’t use a pipe all that often. They are typically quite small (ranging from five to ten centimetres) and are shaped like a tube with a mouthpiece on the end. There will be an opening at the other end for you to place your cannabis flow. Because of their smaller size, they cannot hold a lot of cannabis, usually only enough for users to take one hit, hence their name.
• Steamrollers. These pipes are an excellent combination between hand pipes and one-hitters. They are similar in shape to one-hitters but have the carb and large bowl that hand pipes offer. There is an open area at the front of this type of pipe that allows for more airflow than you’d get with a hand pipe.

In addition to there being different types of pipes when it comes to function and design, pipes can also be made out of different materials (including materials you can find at home). If you are purchasing a pipe from an online retailer, you can expect to find mostly glass pipes. But other common pipe materials include wood and metal.

The pipe designs can also range from small and simple to large and intricate. Many people enjoy finding pipes that are designed off of specific characters or stories. Finding the right pipe is a great way to express yourself while enjoying your cannabis.

How to Use a Pipe

Before we share ways you can make your own pipe at home, let’s look at how to use a pipe. The process will be similar, no matter if your pipe is store-bought or a DIY cannabis pipe.

1. Use a cannabis grinder to break up your chosen cannabis flower. You can also use your hands, but a grinder will create more even-sized pieces.
2. Pack your ground cannabis into the bowl of your pipe. However, you want to be sure you don’t overpack it, as this will make it harder to smoke and restrict the airflow through your piece.
3. Place your pipe in the palm of your hand with a finger over the carb (unless you are using a one-hitter; then skip this step, as there is no carb).
4. Put your lighter close to the surface of your bowl and make a spark (keep that finger on the carb) while inhaling. This will ignite your cannabis.
5. Remove the lighter from your cannabis once it starts to cherry.
6. As you inhale through the mouthpiece, cover and uncover the carb (except on one-hitters) using a tapping motion. This will keep everything burning.
7. Exhale the smoke.
8. Repeat until you’ve smoked all the cannabis in your pipe or until you’ve reached your desired effects.

How to Make a Cannabis Pipe at Home

Now that you know how to use a pipe and more about them in general, let’s look at how you can make your own at home. In this age of DIY, it only makes sense that more people are starting to use what they have on hand to smoke their favourite cannabis products.

Below, we’ll show you how to make a pipe using products and objects you can find at home. But don’t be afraid to get creative and try some other methods as you grow more comfortable.

1. An Apple Pipe

This option is one of the most popular ways to make a homemade pipe. To do this, you will need:

• An apple (any type is acceptable, but make sure there are no rotten spots)
• A kitchen skewer
• A small paring knife
• Aluminum foil
• A safety pin
• A cannabis grinder
• Cannabis of your choice

Here’s how you make it:

1. First, you’ll need to make your bowl by using a small paring knife to cut a depression out of the top of the apple.
2. Grab your skewer and use it to make a hole from the side of the apple to the middle.
3. Next, you will need to connect this hole to the bowl. Again using your skewer, poke a hole through the bowl to connect it to the hole in the side.
4. Test to make sure air can flow between the two holes by blowing through your newly created hole. If any apple chunks appear at the exit hole, remove them.
5. Line your bowl with aluminum foil, then poke small holes into the foil with a safety pin. This layer of foil protects your material from any moisture that would come from the apple.
6. Use a cannabis grinder to grind up your weed, then place it in the bowl you created using the foil.
7. Use a lighter to light your buds as you inhale through the hole in the side.

Some people have a mouthpiece they may put in the side of the bowl, but you don’t have to use one if you don’t have one.

2. A Pen Pipe

You can also use a pen to make a pipe quickly. You will want to be sure the pen you use has a metal tip, as plastic ones will melt.

Here’s what you will need:

• A pen
• A lighter
• Tape
• Cannabis of your choice

Here’s how you make it: 

1. Dismantle your pen and remove the ink chamber. 
2. Place the metal tip of the pen back on the pen, but put it on backwards with the tip facing into the pen. 
3. Grind your cannabis using a cannabis grinder, then fill the metal tip (which will now act as your bowl) with cannabis. 
4. If desired, you can tape the tip of the pen for additional support. 
5. Light the cannabis and inhale from the other end of the pen.

This DIY pipe method is simple yet effective. As we mentioned, be sure you use a sturdy pen with metal ends, or your bowl (and the ends of your homemade pipe) will melt.

3. A Water Bottle Bong

For those who prefer a wet pipe like a bong, this is a great option for you. Here’s what you will need to make it:

• A plastic water bottle (empty)
• An empty pitcher
• Scissors 
• Aluminum foil
• A safety pin or thumbtack
• A cannabis grinder
• Cannabis of your choice

Note: When choosing a bottle and a pitcher, keep in mind that the bottle will need to fit inside the pitcher. 

Here’s how you make it: 

1. Grab your scissors and cut the bottom of the water bottle off. You will need the bottle to sit flat in the pitcher, so try to cut a straight line across the water bottle. 
2. Rip a square of aluminum foil off your roll and use it to create a bowl at the top of your water bottle (over the area you would typically drink from). To create your bowl, gently push the foil into the drinking hole and wrap more foil around the sides. 
3. Use a safety pin or thumbtack to poke holes in the bottom of the aluminum foil bowl. 
4. Fill your pitcher with enough water to cover 2/3 of the height of the water bottle. When placed in the pitcher, the top of the water bottle should extend about 3.8 centimetres above the water level in the pitcher. 
5. Slowly place the bottle in the pitcher, with the open bottom of the bottle end going in first. 
6. Grind your cannabis, then place it in your foil bowl. 
7. Use your lighter to light your cannabis. 
8. As it burns, slowly and carefully lift your bottle up in the water. This will allow smoke to enter the bottle. Note: Do not lift the bottle high enough to remove it from the water completely. 
9. Remove the foil bowl as it comes up to the surface of the water.
10. Use the top of the bottle to inhale the smoke. 
11. After you inhale, you can push the bottle back down into the water, which will force smoke into your mouth.
12. As you push the bottle back down, water will begin to rise in it. Be sure you stop before it gets high enough that you end up inhaling the water. 

Though this process may seem a little more complicated, it is a fun way to make a bong at home once you get the hang of it. 

Final Thoughts

There are many types of cannabis pipes on the market. From dry pipes like one-hitters to water pipes like bongs, you can find one that gives you the experience you desire. Plus, they come in many designs that allow you to express yourself while enjoying cannabis. 

But sometimes, you may find yourself without your pipe or with a pipe that is cracked or broken. Luckily, there are many ways you can make a cannabis pipe at home. Though we’ve shared three common methods, the possibilities are endless. You can experiment with ways to create a DIY pipe as you grow more comfortable with the methods we’ve suggested. 

You can also find more suggestions on DIY cannabis pipe-making online or by connecting with fellow cannabis users.