Written by Joshua Sosin

A chillum is a unique type of cannabis pipe that has a rich history in the Rastafari tradition. However, you don't have to be a Rastafari to enjoy a soothing smoking sesssion with a chillum.

Here's everything you need to know about chillums, how they work, and how to use one to smoke cannabis flower.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Chillum?

• Where Do Chillums Come From?

• How Do You Smoke a Chillum?

• Cleaning and Maintenance for a Chillum

• The Perfect Flower for Your Next Chillum Session

What Is a Chillum?

A chillum is a cannabis-smoking pipe that's usually made from wood, glass, or metal — although clay chillums were the standard back in the day.

These pipes are straight and cone-shaped, and they have a simple front-loaded bowl design that makes them easy to pack and smoke. You can expect a chillum smoking session to be somewhat similar to smoking a regular glass pipe, but some folks prefer chillums because of their cultural significance and unique feel.

Where Do Chillums Come From?

Chillums date all the way back to ancient India. Centuries ago, they were used in spiritual practices by Hindu monks. Ugandan holy men used these pipes in the same ways, and they were later used by Rastafarians in Jamaica.

These unique one-hitters made their way to the US in the 1960s, and they've since become extremely popular. Personally, we absolutely love the unique aesthetic of a chillum, which is more than enough to make them worth looking into.

How Do You Smoke a Chillum?

Here's a quick guide to using a chillum step-by-step:

Step One: Grind Your Flower

You need good-quality cannabis flower for an enjoyable chillum smoking session. Choose a strain from the Mood Shop, then use your grinder to get it to a nice medium consistency.

For a typical chillum bowl, 1-2 grams of ground cannabis should be an ideal amount. Keep in mind that the more flower you use, the more potent your hits will be.

Step Two: Pack the Bowl

Lightly pack your flower for optimal performance, leaving room for airflow. Remember to put the flower into the wider end of the pipe — this is the bowl; the other end is the mouthpiece.

Step Three: Use a Filter Screen

Smoking a chillum can sometimes lead to inhalation of ash or little bits of cannabis, which you never want. For this reason, we recommend adding a glass screen or another type of mouthpiece accessory to your chillum. You can grab one of these at a smoke shop near you.

Step Four: Light Up With a Hemp Wick and Lighter

Now that your chillum is packed and your filter is in place, it's time to light up. We recommend using a hemp wick with your lighter for a cleaner burn.

Hold the chillum vertically at an angle between your ring finger and middle finger, and bring the flame to the packed end. Inhale gently while hovering the wick over the bowl.

Step Five: Slow and Steady

The key to enjoying a chillum session is taking it nice and slow. This type of one-hitter doesn't have a carb hole, so you'll need to take slow puffs to avoid hits that are too harsh. Each hit should deliver a small amount of THC that isn't too overwhelming.

Cleaning and Maintenance for a Chillum

We recommend cleaning your chillum after every smoking session. Follow the steps below to clean and maintain a glass chillum. You might need to follow specific manufacturer instructions for clay chillums or other specialized pipes.

Start by rinsing with warm water, then soak the whole pipe in isopropyl alcohol or a specialized pipe cleaner solution.

Next, use a pipe brush to get rid of any caked-on residue. Let the pipe dry fully before you smoke again.

The Perfect Flower for Your Next Chillum Session

If you're convinced that a chillum is the next tool to add to your smoking arsenal, the next step is to order some powerful flower to smoke.

Here are several high-quality strains that we recommend for chillum sessions:

Gary Payton: Potent Top-Shelf Hybrid

This 50/50 hybrid strain provides a strong high with incredible aromas of sweet citrus diesel, skunky pepper, and earthy hazelnuts. A crossbreed of Y Griega and Snowman plants, it's a California-grown high-potency strain with 24.65% THCa content.

Grab 1g of Gary Payton flower for only $17. Subscribe to save 15% on your order.

Pluto: A Strain for Creative Stimulation

This top-shelf strain is an Indica hybrid that produces a strong, balanced high. A California-grown plant, it's a crossbreed of Gelato #33 and 1991 Triangle Kush strains with. scents of sour lemon, fresh pine, and spicy diesel.

This strain was cultivated with creative stimulation in mind. With 23.06% THCa content and a robust terpene profile, it's ideal for cerebral, inspiring chillum hits.

Grab an ounce of Pluto flower for only $285. Use the code "FIRST20" to get 20% off your first order.

The Mood Shop: For All Your Cannabis Needs

If you're looking for more incredible cannabis products, you'll love the Mood Shop. Our online dispensary features a wide selection of premium hemp-derived cannabis goods, including high-quality edibles, concentrates, and much more.

Check out our full lineup of products today and get 15% off when you subscribe.