What is a one-hitter?
A one-hitter is a small pipe that, as the name suggests, holds about one hit of cannabis.
They come in many different materials, mainly glass or metal, and are shaped like a straight tube, with a bowl on one end and a mouthpiece on the other.
One-hitters have a wide variety of styles and can range from beautifully blown glass to cigarette lookalikes for discretion.
Types of one-hitters
Chillums
Chillums are a type of one-hitter that are thousands of years old. Traditionally, they are smoked vertically by making a fist and placing the piece in between your middle and ring fingers, and then inhaling through an opening created by your index finger. They can be smoked horizontally like a regular pipe as well.
Dugouts
Dugouts are devices that come with two chambers: one for storing a small amount of pre-ground cannabis and the other for a one-hitter. The one-hitter is pulled out and twisted into the cannabis chamber, easily packing it.
Learn more in Leafly’s guide to smoking
How to use a one-hitter
Smoking out of a one-hitter is just like smoking out of a pipe, except that you’ll want to angle it up so the cannabis doesn’t fall out of the bowl because it’s a straight tube. This is why chillums are traditionally smoked vertically through a closed fist.
One-hitters, both chillums and dugouts, typically use ground up cannabis so they’re easier to pack and herb doesn’t fall out when smoking.
To smoke, pack the one-hitter fairly tight, angle it, put a flame to it, and inhale, as you would a regular pipe.
As one-hitters are usually short and small, be careful not to get the lighter too close to your lips.
Benefits of using a one-hitter
Discretion
Due to their small size, one-hitters are one of the most discreet ways to smoke flower. They can quickly and easily be stored out of sight, either in a pocket or the palm of your hand. If a low-key smoke sesh is what you have in mind, you can’t go wrong with a one-hitter.
Also, when lighting a one-hitter, it often looks like you are lighting a cigarette, which is why many dugouts are painted to look like them.
Conservation
One-hitters are also great for conserving your stash. When smoking a joint or out or a pipe or bong, it’s easy to pack the whole bowl and to finish all of it. Depending on the size of your bowl, this can potentially use up a lot of flower.
One-hitters allow you to use only a little bit of weed at a time and help conserve your stash by making each hit a mindful action. You are less likely to over-pack or over-smoke.
Additionally, unlike a joint, a one-hitter will go out after a hit or two and won’t burn until it’s done.
Using one-hitters for microdosing cannabis
One-hitters are great for microdosing. By taking smaller, more accurately sized hits, consumers can dial in the effects of a cannabis experience. Microdosing is a great way to moderate consumption and conquer the day without sacrificing too much functionality.
Rae Lland and Pat Goggins contributed to this article.
Read more of Leafly’s guide to smoking marijuana
- How to smoke weed
- What’s the difference between joints, blunts, and spliffs?
- What is a pre-roll?
- How to roll a joint
- How to roll a blunt
- How to roll a crutch for your joint or spliff
- What is a cannabis grinder?
- What is a glass weed pipe?
- How to pack and smoke a bowl of weed
- What is a one-hitter pipe?
- How to make an apple pipe
- What is a bong?
- What is a gravity bong and how do you make one?
- How to clean glass bongs and pipes
- What is kief and how can you use it?
- What are moon rocks and how do you smoke them?
- Sploofs 101: How to reduce smell when smoking cannabis
- Need a light? 4 alternatives to using a lighter
- What is hotboxing with cannabis and does it work?
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