Water Pipe
A Technical Description
Introduction
The purpose of this description is to welcome new smokers of tobacco or tobacco like products into the wonderful world of water pipes. A fan favorite, the water pipe is one of the most commonly used smoking devices that all are sure to enjoy. There is nothing quite like pulling the slide and ripping one down. Or so I am told.
Audience
The intended audience is young adults ages 18 and older that have taken an interest in smoking tobacco or tobacco like products. They should learn how a water pipe works and what the individual pieces do before they try to use one. It will make operating one much easier, if they already understand the finer details of the device.
Description
A water pipe is a filtering device used to smoke tobacco or tobacco like products. They are often made of glass but can also be made from wood, metal, plastic, and various other materials.
Essential Parts
A water pipe can be broken down into 5 essential parts: the base, the reservoir, the stem, the slide, and the neck.
The Base
The base is the lowest piece of a water pipe. It is often what the piece rests on when it is not being held. The base will be wider than the rest of the piece in most cases so that it can support the device and keep it from tilting or falling. Sometimes, the base is simply the bottom of the reservoir. Other times it is a disc or wide flat piece attached at the bottom of the device, below the reservoir.
The Reservoir
The reservoir is a section at the bottom of the device that holds water. It is often a bulb or globe shaped section that is wider, but shorter than the neck. Attached to the reservoir is the neck.
The Neck
The neck is a long tube that extends upward from the base. It is usually only a few inches in diameter because a human must be able to create a seal between the opening of the neck at the top and their mouth.
The Stem
The stem is a much smaller tube that sits with one end in the water, and the other end coming out the side of the reservoir. The stem is the pathway for air to be pulled into the system.
The Slide
The slide will have two sections (seen to the left). The first section is the lower half of a small piece that fits snugly into the stem. In its resting position, the lower half of the slide sits in the stem, appearing to jut out of the reservoir. The second section is a wider cone shape that flares out from the lower half. This cone holds the substance that is to be smoked. The slide is almost always made of glass because glass does not conduct heat as well as metal, and does not burn or melt like wood or plastic.
The Process
The water pipe is a simple, but effective device, often preferred because of its impressive filtering abilities. The cone part of the slide, also called the bowl, is filled with a combustible substance that is then lit with flame. At the same time, the operator puts their mouth to the open end at the top of the neck and creates a seal with their lips. The operator then inhales. The entire device is air tight at this point, with the exception of the slide itself. When the operator breathes in, the device pressurizes on the inside, forcing air to pull through the slide, through the stem, into the water, and up into the neck. The air and flame are simultaneously pulled into the desired smoking substance. The heat and oxygen causes the substance to ignite, turning it from the solid phase into a gaseous phase. This thick, smoky gas will be pulled through the water and fill the water pipe. It is beneficial to filter the smoke through the water because it pulls out some heavier particles and water soluble molecules that the operator would not want in their airways. Once the device is filled with the desired level of smoke, the operator would then remove the slide from the stem. This will depressurize the system and allow fresh, clean air into the water pipe. The lack of pressure allows the smoke inside the system to quickly rush into the lungs of the operator, achieving the desired effect.
Additional Parts
Some water pipes have addition parts that make it a more complex device.
The Ice Catcher
Many more expensive, more complicated water pipes have ice catchers. Ice catchers are pieces within but towards the bottom of the neck, that pinch in towards the middle, narrowing the passage. In the image to the right, one can see how the glass pinches in towards the middle. They are called “ice catchers” because their primary use is to hold stacked ice cubes inside the neck of the water pipe. Users often put ice inside the necks of their water pipes to reduce the harshness of the hit (A hit is a term for the volume of gas that gets inhaled in one single use). The smoke, though filtered, can often be irritating to the operator’s throat and lungs. The ice cools the smoke, dramatically decreasing the discomfort.
Conclusion
After reading this document, hopefully the new smokers, broadening their education of the world of recreational smoking, can successfully operate a water pipe. They are simple to use, just place one’s mouth to the open end at the top, light the intended substance with a flame, and breathe in. The fun part is pulling the slide when ready. Have fun!
