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Is It Safe to Smoke from Silicone Bongs and Pipes?
Since bongs were first invented, they have been made almost completely out of glass - a material which is best for smoking out from. However, with one glass, one thing is certain, glass breaks and no matter how much your bong cost you or how thick it may look, there is a likelihood that it can break. Every smoker knows how heartbreaking it is to watch your beloved bong fall and shatter in many million pieces.
In recent times, silicone bongs have exploded in popularity, with dab rigs hitting the market to try and combat the problem of broken glass. For many people, silicone pipes are a lifesaver, and for others, they will never trade their glass for something else. Of course, like any smoking pipe material, silicone typically has its pros and cons, but if you are someone who breaks stuff easily, then this is the perfect option for you.
Silicone is Tough and Durable
The level of toughness essentially makes silicone bongs unbreakable and, thus, are great for smoking on the go when traversing, as they can be easily folded and stored away without having to worry about breaking anything. Furthermore, silicone bongs are dishwasher safe and are very easy to clean without one. In this article, we will look at some reasons silicone bongs make a great choice for smoking. So, let’s dive in.
What is Silicone?
So, before we go further into all there is to know about silicone bongs and dab rigs, you should first understand what silicone is as a material and where it comes from.
Silicon is a man-made polymer that is composed of silicon and oxygen. It has become increasingly popular since plastics were discovered to be toxic in certain applications like in cooking and food-based products.
Food grade silicone is chemically inert and will not leach toxins into your food or emit gas like plastics would when heated. It is for this reason; it is preferred for kitchen utensils and containers. Silicone is practically indestructible and can be molded into any shape and color.
Is Silicone Safe to Smoke Out of?
Silicone is safe to smoke out of, and you will always get a trusted product if you are buying from a reputable headshop that only deals in quality silicone products.
Silicone has an extremely high melting point which ensures that it can withstand extreme heat and temperatures without suffering any deformation, melting or emission of harmful gases. Silicone can retain its shape at up to 600 degrees which is double the temperature of boiling water.
Even though silicone is durable, it is not advisable to put it directly in contact with a flame or torch. If you do this, you could damage your smoking device. What you can do is light only the smoking bowl and if dabbing from a silicone dab rig, use a glass dropdown to remove the nail far away from the silicone rig to prevent any accidental heat damage. This is the same if you are using a glass dab rig but more so if you are using silicone.
Storing wax concentrates in Silicone Containers
If you love to dab, you probably already know wax should not be wasted, and you know it can cause a lot of mess, but thankfully, silicone is nonstick and great for storing your concentrates. No matter how sticky wax or oil is, it never sticks to silicone, which makes it easy scooping with a dab tool. This also ensures no material is wasted by getting stuck to the insides of a plastic jar or glass. You can find silicone dab containers in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and shapes, but they only serve the same purpose.
Silicone bongs, Dab Rigs, and Pipes
In recent times, new silicone smoking products have been making their way into the market. From silicone bongs or dab rings to silicone nectar collectors, silicone ash tray and hand pipes, the options are now very many. The one thing common to them all, however, is their toughness, which ensures they do not break like traditional glass bongs.
High quality silicone bongs available in the market today are made of the toughest silicone. They are not only sturdy but easy to clean and extremely portable, and above all, they are unbreakable. Many people are of the mind that since bongs are made from silicone, it will suck when you try smoking, which gives you a bad hit, but this is not entirely true.
Most silicone bongs will typically not move at all when inhaling due to their thickness and sturdiness. Food grade silicone is used in making all silicone bongs and dab rigs that are able to withstand extreme temperature. This ensures they can be cleaned with a dishwasher.
Summary of What Makes Silicone Safe
Silicone has awesome properties which make it one of the most widely used for making bongs and pipes. These properties include:
Low thermal conductivity
Silicone does not easily transfer heat, which means your piece will never melt or burn.
Low chemical reactivity and toxicity
Silicone is an inert substance, which makes it not to react to most chemicals. Therefore, it is a non-toxic material.
Thermal stability
Silicone can maintain its properties over a wide temperature range. Silicone does not retain heat. Therefore, silicone is used for making many wax dab containers and generally loved by dabbers.
Water Repellant
It repels water and can form watertight seals: Silicone is watertight. Unlike glass and metals with micro-fractures and can leak, silicone will not let water through. This is why it is a great glass alternative.
Non Stick
It doesn’t stick to many substrates but adheres strongly to others like glass. Silicone grips materials like glass and metals well.
Anti-Microbial
It does not encourage the growth of microbes. Silicone ensures you get a smooth smoke because it doesn’t encourage harmful bacterial growth!
Ware and Tare Resistant
Resistance to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light. This unique property of silicone has led to their widespread use in the construction and automotive industry.
