Cannabis 101Strains & products

What Are One-Hitter Pipes and How Are They Used to Smoke Cannabis?

Published on March 20, 2018 · Last updated September 27, 2021
A Grav one hitter.
A Grav one hitter.

One-hitters are a great addition to any consumer’s collection, and if you’re new to cannabis, perhaps you’ve never heard of them. These versatile, practical pipes come in a variety of fun styles and cater to smokers who prefer a quick, small hit of their favorite flower. Utilizing a one-hitter can help control dosage, conserve your stash, and keep things simple, discreet, and clean. But what else is there to know about using these convenient and portable pipes?

What Is a One-Hitter?

The ideal chillum for the smoker on the go. ✨ @gravlabs

A post shared by Smoke Cartel™ (@smokecartelglass) on

A one-hitter is a small pipe (sometimes called a “bat” or “chillum”) that, as the name suggests, holds about one hit of cannabis.

They come in many different materials, such as metal or glass, and are shaped like a straight tube, with the bowl on one end and the mouthpiece on the other. One-hitters can be used as a standalone, or they can come as part of a set known as a “dugout.” Dugouts have a space that holds the bat as well as a space for pre-ground cannabis, allowing you to twist the end of your one-hitter into the ground flower to easily pack it.

One-hitters have a wide variety of styles and can range from beautifully blown glass to cigarette lookalikes for discretion.

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How to Use a One-Hitter

Using a one-hitter is simple as one, two, three!

Step 1: Pack the end of your one-hitter with ground cannabis. Make sure you pack it fairly tight, so the bud will stay in place when the pipe is held horizontally.

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Step 2: Place the mouthpiece end against your lips and pull gently while lighting the cannabis at the end of the pipe.

Step 3: Inhale, hold, release! Voila!

A light tap against the palm should ash the bat and leave it ready for its next use. Alternatively, you can blow into the mouthpiece end to clear the pipe.

Benefits of Using a One-Hitter

Discretion

One-hitter pipes have many advantages. Due to its compact size, it is one of the most discreet ways to smoke flower and can quickly and easily be stored out of sight. If a low-key smoke sesh is what you have in mind, you can’t go wrong with a one-hitter. Unlike a joint, it won’t be left burning an endless stream of fragrant smoke. And unlike a traditional bowl, it’s not an obvious shape or size–when lighting a one-hitter, you mimic the same motion as lighting a cigarette.

Conservation

Bats are also great for conserving your stash. When smoking out of a bowl, it’s so easy to pack the whole thing. Depending on the depth of your pipe, this can potentially require quite a bit of flower. For those who want or need to smoke alone, or those who simply have a low tolerance, a full bowl can often mean a half smoked-bowl, with flavorless, charred bud to return to later. One-hitters help conserve your stash by making each hit a mindful action so you are less likely to over-pack or over-smoke.

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Using One-Hitters for Microdosing Cannabis

If you’re interested in microdosing but still enjoy smoking, one-hitters are a perfect choice for you. By taking smaller, more accurately sized hits, medical patients and low-tolerance consumers can enjoy the pleasant effects of cannabis without too much of the head-buzz. It’s a great way to moderate your dosing when smoking and conquer the day without sacrificing too much functionality.

Browse More Pipes on Leafly

Head to your local head shop today to check out their selection of one-hitters and let us know your favorite style in the comments below!

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Rae Lland
Rae Lland
Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist, and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health, and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has also been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland
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