The Benefits of Borosilicate Glass: Why We Use It in Our Glass Pipes

Pipes, bongs, and dab rigs are not just vehicles to smoke weed from. To cannabis lovers, they are cherished pieces of artwork that require careful handling and delicate and thorough cleansing. Some pieces of glassware end up developing a personified nickname--the love between a stoner and their pipes are real.

Chances are, though, even if you're a veteran smoker, you don't know much about the glass that your pieces are made from. At StayLit Design, all of our pipes, bongs, and dab rigs are made from borosilicate glass, which is very different from the everyday glass you may find around your home.

The science behind borosilicate glass pipes is pretty cool, and there are solid reasons we use this to create our one-of-a-kind pieces. We'll discuss the benefits of borosilicate glass, so you can learn more about your dearly beloved smoking devices.

What Is Borosilicate Glass?

The definition of borosilicate glass is a bit technical, so hang with us. It was invented in the 1880s by a German glassmaker, and its primary ingredients are silica and boron trioxide. (Regular glass is made with soda lime instead if that means anything to you). This new glass was revolutionary because it is resistant to high heat, meaning it won't crack or break. It quickly became the staple for making laboratory tools, like beakers and graduated cylinders.

It was also commonly used to create kitchen and cookware in the early 1900s, because it's stronger than regular glass. These days, cookware is usually made from stainless steel, but borosilicate glass continues to be a popular material amongst the scientific community. You can also find it in lightbulbs and electronics, and obviously in our borosilicate glass pipes--it's instrumental!

Benefits of Borosilicate Glass for Pipes

It's no surprise why borosilicate glass pipes are so popular amongst the pipe and bong industry. This material can withstand extremely high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for igniting buds. Regular glass will eventually melt when held under a flame or torch, while borosilicate glass won't break, melt, or crack past 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because it doesn't expand as regular glass does, this material can also withstand drastic temperature changes and multiple temperatures at the same time. You can have ice water on the bottom while hot buds are heated at the top, creating perfect, smooth hits.

There are several additional benefits besides only handling high heat and varying temperatures, though.

Durable

We've all dropped a glass cup, or something more valuable, at some point in our lives. There's a reason the saying 'shattered like glass' is so common--glass is fragile and breaks easily, as you know. One of the best benefits of borosilicate glass pipes is that they are much more durable than regular glass. This is not to say that they are unbreakable--if you drop your bong or pipe, there is still a chance they will crack or shatter. We are simply pointing out that borosilicate glass vape pipes and bongs are much more durable when compared to regular glass.

Clarity & Easy to Clean

Compared to plastics or other materials, borosilicate is incredibly clear and smooth. Of course, after you use your borosilicate glass pipe many times, the smoke will cast a dark film over everything, reminding you that it's time to clean.

But in general, this material has been celebrated for being clear and difficult to scratch or scar. Not every kind of glass vape pipe is easy to clean, but this kind of glass is! The surface is anti-stick and nonporous, making it easy to scrub away any dirt or stains.

That's a big plus when you consider how much gunk can get leftover from multiple smoking sessions.

Compared To Other Materials

Compared to other materials for glass vape pipes, borosilicate glass is one of the best and most classic. Ceramic and silicone are two additional competing pipe and bong materials on the market. Ceramic is great for creating unique shapes and sizes, but it does not have the same durability as borosilicate. Ceramic pieces will shatter if you drop them.

A huge selling point for silicone is that it is essentially unbreakable. They can be kicked around, dropped, and are suitable for portability. They also tend to be cheaper than the other two mentioned. However, they are not as elegant as a borosilicate glass pipe.

Shop For Borosilicate Glass Pipes Now

We have a wide selection of borosilicate glass pipes, bongs, and dab rigs for you to choose from at StayLit Design. We are passionate about designing and creating high-quality pieces of glassware for our customers that are unique and one of a kind. Our glass pipe vapes are BPA-free, and you can find them in any size, shape, or shade.

Borosilicate glass pipes can handle extremely high heat, which makes them durable compared to other glass materials. They are difficult to scratch up and very easy to clean away smoke session stains and gunk. Consider purchasing one, and you'll cherish it for years to come.

If you have a design in mind that you haven't seen yet, contact our team and let us know about it! We would be happy to try and bring it to life. Shop all products and cannabis accessories from StayLit Design today.