📖 Glossary of Terms
Over 41 terms covering vaporisers, glass, grinders, concentrates, and everything in between.
A
All-Glass Vapour Path
A vaporiser design where the air/vapour touches only glass from the heating chamber to the mouthpiece, eliminating plastic or metal off-tastes. Common in Arizer and some desktop vapes.
B
Beaker Bong
A water pipe with a wide, flat base shaped like a laboratory beaker. The broad base provides stability and holds more water, producing smoother, cooler hits than straight tube designs.
Banger
The quartz, titanium, or ceramic bowl used in a dab rig. Heated with a torch before concentrate is applied. Available in various styles including flat-top, round-bottom, and thermal.
Borosilicate Glass
A type of glass containing boron trioxide that resists thermal shock and is much more durable than soda-lime glass. The standard material for high-quality water pipes (e.g., Schott-Rohrglas used by RooR and Sovereignty).
C
Carb Cap
A lid placed over a dab banger to regulate airflow and lower internal pressure, allowing dabs to vaporise at lower temperatures. Directional carb caps let you steer the oil for better flavour.
CB1/CB2 Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors in the human endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors are primarily in the brain and central nervous system (producing the high), while CB2 receptors are in the immune system (anti-inflammatory effects).
CHS (Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome)
A rare condition in long-term heavy cannabis users causing cyclical vomiting. The only reliable treatment is complete cessation of cannabis use. Hot showers provide temporary relief.
Conduction Heating
A vaporiser heating method where the herb makes direct contact with a heated surface (oven walls). Heats up faster but can produce uneven extraction if not stirred. Common in budget and session-style vapes.
Convection Heating
A vaporiser heating method where hot air passes through the herb rather than heating the chamber walls. Provides more even extraction and better flavour but generally costs more. Used in the Mighty+, Volcano, and Arizer Solo 3.
Cooling Unit
The top section of a portable vaporiser that cools the vapour before it reaches your mouth. Usually contains a labyrinth or protrusions that increase surface area. The Mighty+'s cooling unit is particularly effective.
Criss-Cross Watermark
RAW's patented watermark pattern on their rolling papers that prevents uneven burning (canoeing) by controlling how the paper burns. Found on RAW Classic and RAW Black papers.
D
Dab Rig
A water pipe designed specifically for vaporising cannabis concentrates (dabs). Uses a banger instead of a bowl and requires a torch or electronic heating element. Smaller than standard bongs for better flavour preservation.
Dabbing
The process of vaporising cannabis concentrates on a heated surface and inhaling the vapour. Produces more potent effects than smoking flower due to the higher cannabinoid concentration.
Decarboxylation
The chemical process of heating cannabis to activate cannabinoids. Raw cannabis contains THCA and CBDA, which convert to THC and CBD when heated. Required before making edibles or tinctures.
Devitrification
Clouding or fogging of quartz or glass caused by repeated heating and cooling cycles. Common in low-quality quartz bangers. High-quality quartz resists devitrification longer.
Diffuser Downstem
A downstem with slits, holes, or a perc at the bottom that breaks smoke into smaller bubbles for increased water contact. Results in smoother, filtered hits compared to a standard open downstem.
Dosing Capsule
A small metal or mesh pod that holds a pre-measured amount of herb for a vaporiser. Allows quick reloading, keeps the chamber clean, and enables consistent dosing. Popular with Storz & Bickel devices.
Dry Herb Vaporiser
A device that heats cannabis flower to a temperature where cannabinoids and terpenes vaporise (150-220°C) without combustion. Produces significantly fewer toxins than smoking.
E
E-Rig (Electronic Dab Rig)
A battery-powered dab rig with precise temperature control, eliminating the need for a butane torch. Examples include the Puffco Peak Pro and Dr. Dabber Switch. Offers consistent temperature for optimal flavour.
Entourage Effect
The theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically to produce enhanced effects compared to isolated compounds. Why full-spectrum extracts are often preferred over isolates.
F
Funnel Bowl
A bowl design, popularised by Grav Labs, with a wide top opening that tapers to a narrow bottom. Makes loading ground herb significantly less messy — the herb funnels straight into the bowl.
G
Grinder
A device with interlocking teeth used to break cannabis flower into smaller, even pieces for better burning or vaporisation. Available in 2-piece (simple grind), 3-piece (with kief screen), and 4-piece (with kief catcher).
H
Honeycomb Perc
A flat glass disc with dozens of precision-drilled holes used as a percolator in water pipes. Creates hundreds of micro-bubbles for exceptional filtration, but can clog faster than simpler perc designs.
Hybrid Heating
A vaporiser that combines both convection and conduction heating. The herb is heated both by hot air passing through it and by contact with heated chamber walls. Used in the Venty and Volcano Hybrid.
I
Ice Pinch
A constriction or notches in the neck of a water pipe designed to hold ice cubes. The ice cools the smoke as it passes through, providing a smoother hit. Found on most beaker-style bongs.
Induction Heater
An electronic device that heats a DynaVap or similar mechanical vape using an electromagnetic field instead of a butane torch. Provides consistent, hands-free heating with no open flame.
K
Kief
The collected trichome heads (resin glands) of cannabis flowers. Highly potent and can be pressed into hashish or sprinkled on top of bowls. Collected in the bottom chamber of 4-piece grinders.
M
Mouthpiece
The part of a vaporiser or water pipe that contacts your lips. Available in various materials including glass (best flavour), plastic/PEEK (durable), and silicone (comfortable but can absorb flavours).
P
Percolator (Perc)
A secondary water filtration chamber in a bong that further diffuses smoke through water. Types include tree perc, honeycomb, showerhead, and turbine. More percs = smoother hits but more drag.
Piezo Ignition
A type of ignition system in torch lighters that uses a piezoelectric crystal to create a spark when a button is pressed. More reliable than flint-based systems, especially in windy conditions.
Pre-Rolled Cone
A pre-formed, empty joint cone made from rolling paper with a filter tip already inserted. Just fill with ground herb and pack down. RAW King Size Cones are the most popular on Amazon UK with over 97,000 ratings.
Q
Quartz Banger
A dab bowl made from quartz, prized for its clean flavour and excellent heat retention. Available in various thicknesses (2mm, 3mm, 4mm) — thicker walls retain heat longer for bigger dabs.
R
Recycler
A water pipe design that continuously cycles water through a secondary chamber, filtering and cooling the smoke multiple times per hit. Provides the smoothest possible hit but is harder to clean.
S
Scientific Glass
High-quality borosilicate glass water pipes made using laboratory-grade glassblowing techniques. Characterised by precision-ground joints, thick walls, and clean welds. Brands: RooR, Sovereignty, Grav Labs.
Silicone Bong
A water pipe made from food-grade silicone instead of glass. Virtually unbreakable, dishwasher-safe, and collapsible for travel. Trade-off is that silicone can absorb flavours over time.
T
Terpene
Aromatic compounds found in cannabis that produce distinctive smells and flavours. Common terpenes include myrcene (earthy, sedating), limonene (citrus, uplifting), and pinene (pine, alertness).
Terp Pearl
Small spherical beads made of quartz, ruby, or sapphire placed inside a banger. Spin when you inhale, spreading the oil across the heated surface for more even vaporisation and better flavour.
Tree Perc
A percolator design with multiple arm-like branches, each ending in a slotted or flared opening. Provides excellent diffusion with moderate draw resistance. Common in higher-end glass.
Trichome
Tiny, crystal-like resin glands on cannabis flowers that produce cannabinoids and terpenes. The density and colour of trichomes (clear, cloudy, amber) indicate harvest timing and potency.
V
Vaporiser (Vape)
A device that heats cannabis to the point of vaporisation without combustion. Produces vapour instead of smoke, containing significantly fewer harmful byproducts. Types include portable, desktop, and pen-style.
W
Water Pipe Adapter (WPA)
An accessory that connects a portable vaporiser to a bong or water pipe. Allows you to run vapour through water for cooler, smoother hits. Common for Mighty+, Arizer Solo, and DynaVap.