A small hole in a pipe or bubbler, usually next to the bowl, that allows the consumer to control airflow when smoking. A carb also helps regulate temperature and the rate of burning in the bowl. Bongs can have carbs as well, though they often have a removable bowl that acts like a carb.
“Without a carb, there’s no way to corner the bowl or create a cherry.”
What is a carb?
A carb is a small hole in a pipe or bubbler, usually placed by the bowl so they can be covered and uncovered by the thumb while smoking.
The term “carb” comes from “carburetor,” the part of a car’s engine that mixes fuel and air. The carb on a pipe or bubbler allows the smoker to control the amount of air that reaches the flower in the bowl while it’s burning.
Why should I use a piece with a carb?
Regulating airflow during inhalation controls how much smoke is created and inhaled, as well as how quickly a bowl is cashed or cherried. This will allow you to control the size of hits and can save you money by using flower more efficiently.
Carbs are useful but not necessary to have a satisfying smoking experience. For example, tobacco pipes usually don’t have carbs and have been around for thousands of years.
How to use a carb
When lighting a bowl, cover the carb to create a seal; at first, the only airflow should be what you draw into your lungs. Once the bowl is lit, uncover and cover the carb to cause the flower in the bowl to cherry, or stay lit without a lighter—this gives the bowl air, like blowing on a campfire. When done hitting, pass the pipe, and if it goes out, relight, covering the carb again.