Pros and Cons of Metal Pipes

There are several materials pipes are crafted from. Glass is the most popular, both in the number of designs and in overall choice for regular smokers. However, glass is delicate, and some pieces can be quite expensive. Smokers looking for an alternative medium may consider metal pipes for smoking. Metal pipes carry many advantages, but not all are created equal.

Variety

Metal pipes are easy to form, and many are mass-produced. While you won’t get that one-of-a-kind feel with a metal tobacco pipe as you might with glass, you can count on your pipe’s uniformity and function almost every time.

Metal pipes also include features that glass, ceramic, and acrylic pipes don’t. For instance, they have hinges and tightly threaded removable pieces. There are even some metal pipes for smoking, like the Transformer Adjustable Metal Pipe, that can swivel into almost any type of hand pipe you want.

You can also buy a build-your-own pipe kit that lets you build your metal pipe the way you want. Although many metal pipes won’t be as artistic as some of their glass counterparts, you’d be surprised at some of the unique designs of metal pipes on the market today.

Expense

Metal pipes for smoking vary in price depending on the type of metal used, the company making it, and the features they include. Smaller hand pipes usually cost $20 or below, while tall water pipes can be upwards of $70. SMOKEA® has a metal tobacco pipe for every budget.

Durability

One of the best qualities of metal pipes is their durability. Glass, ceramic, and even wood pipes pale in comparison to the strength of metal pipes. Even the clumsiest smoker would be hard-pressed to ruin a metal pipe.

Of course, the type of metal used contributes a great deal to the overall durability of the metal pipes for smoking. Aluminum is one of the weaker metals, but aluminum pipes are often anodized to strengthen the structure. Titanium is another common metal used and is one of the strongest types of metals.

Quality

The quality of the metal is what most smokers are concerned about when it comes to choosing a metal tobacco pipe. Some users notice a metallic taste when they use metal pipes. Ceramic, wood, and even acrylic can also alter the flavor of smoke, but glass typically doesn’t interact at all. Luckily, there are a few ways to minimize the metallic flavor when using metal pipes for smoking.

First, you can “break it in” by letting resin build up on the inside of the pipe to cut down on the metallic taste. But this option really depends on user preference, and some people hate the taste of burning resin.

Secondly, before you purchase a pipe, do a bit of research into the type of metal it’s using. Food-grade titanium should leave the least amount of metallic aftertaste, if any, while other metals could produce more.

At the end of the day, choosing metal pipes for smoking comes down to preference. They do offer unmatched durability, but you may need to take some creative alternatives with some of the downsides. Try one out for yourself and make your own decision and be sure to sign up for our SMOKEA® Rewards Program to start saving on all your SMOKEA® purchases!

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