Even the most seasoned smoker might not know how to smoke hash. The good news is that hash is one of the oldest cannabis concentrates, having been around for thousands of years, and that means there has been a lot of time to develop the best ways to smoke it!
That leaves many to wonder what the best way to smoke hash is— but that will depend mainly on your preference. Ready to find your favourite kind, and more importantly, learn how to smoke hash? Then keep reading!
What is Hash?
Hash, short for “hashish,” is derived from the kief ( dried resin) of the flowering tops of smokeable buds.
In general, hash is more potent than dried cannabis flower because it’s more concentrated and contains higher THC levels.
After being processed, the kief (or dried resin) is usually pressed into hash blocks called “cakes.” From there, the results can vary widely. Hash can be soft or stiff, and it varies in colour. But, once it’s ready, there are so many different ways you can smoke hash— it can be smoked in pipes, vaped, inhaled, or even mixed with flower in joints!
How to Smoke Hash in a Pipe or Bong
If you’re wondering how to smoke hash in a bong or a pipe, good choice—this is considered by far the easiest method of hash using. Even better, for the most part, you don’t need a specialty hash pipe to smoke it, although we do recommend using a glass pipe as it makes cleaning it easier.
With just a bit of adjustment, smoking hash in a pipe or bong is pretty close to smoking flower.
Plus, smoking hash in a bong helps cool the smoke before it enters your lungs. Before you load a piece of hash in your bowl, you should prime it for the best smoke experience possible by warming the hash on a key or spoon. Place the hash on the surface and then gently apply a flame until it’s soft and crumbly. From there, you can crumble it with your fingers and sprinkle it into your bowl (either by itself or on top of some ground cannabis flower).
The key is to keep the pieces of hash smaller because that promotes better airflow — helping you avoid roasting the hash in your bowl once it’s burnt, which can waste the product. Some users have found success by mixing small pebbles of hash with flower.
Tips for using a pipe or bong
If you smoke hash on its own, you might want to look into purchasing a screen for your bowl. A screen can prevent you from inhaling the excess hot oil material from the hash, which can melt quickly and help you have a smoother smoking experience.
Also, make sure to clean your bowl regularly and your glass piece whenever you start to notice it getting dirty from ash buildup. There are many glass cleaners on the market, but in a pinch, some isopropyl alcohol will do.
If you’re wondering whether to smoke with a pipe or bong, that can depend on the situation you’re in.
Pipes are a lot more convenient and transportable, so we recommend you take your pipe if you’re on the go.
Bongs are better suited for when you are at home and comfortable— so you don’t have to worry about transporting a breakable glass object around— and they’re popular because the water helps cool the smoke before you inhale it.
Smoking Hash in a Joint
Joints are yet another easy option for using hash (assuming your rolling skills are sufficiently up to the task. Need tips on how to roll a joint? Check out our guide here).
Your experience might differ here, depending on what type of hash you have.
If you have a dry block, it’s probably simplest to sprinkle small pebbles or crushed hash into the joint, so it mixes with the flower as you’re rolling it.
- Tip: Seasoned users recommend not trying to smoke a straight hash joint, though. When the hash is heated, it melts into an oil and is more likely to combust in a larger flame. That can make hash tricky to smoke by itself in a joint.
However, if your hash is particularly malleable and you’re up for some fun, feel free to get creative. Some users like to roll the hash into a snake-like string and lay it in the middle of their joints, and then proceed to roll a joint as usual.
Once you know how to apply the hash to the joint, it can easily be enjoyed with whatever you like to smoke. If you enjoy a good spliff, you can add some tobacco to the mix or just stick with cannabis flower. Then, roll it, light it, and smoke as usual.
Many smokers prefer to smoke a hash joint instead of using a bong or pipe because it accentuates the smoking experience.
A hash joint is easy to share, the taste from the hash can enhance the joint, and it creates a more potent high than just smoking a regular joint.
Can You Dab Hash?
You definitely can, but it’ll require a tad more maintenance than regular dabbing.
For those new to the practice, dabbing is when you smoke concentrates with a dab rig—a device that looks like a glass bong, except a dab rig uses a nail instead of a bowl. Also, instead of a regular lighter, you need a specialized torch for dabbing.
The nail gets heated up with a handheld torch, so using a dab rig is slightly more advanced than just packing a bowl and smoking it.
When you dab hash, it’ll be a lot like when you dab other concentrates. First, you’ll need to heat the nail with a torch. Once the nail is red hot, turn off the torch and place the glass dome over the nail. Then, apply a piece of hash directly onto the nail inside the dome, and then inhale.
Like with vaping, a lot of the results will come from how pure your hash is.
Ideally, you’d be using “full melt hash,” which (as described) fully melts away on a hot nail.
Short of that, the key to dabbing hash is to make sure you clean your nail (or ‘banger’) immediately. If you don’t, the hash’s organic material will linger and leave a burnt taste that will remain when you smoke other concentrates.
- Tip: Also, if you’re new to dabbing, be careful around the nail as it can get very hot. Always make sure that the heat has cooled down before handling it.
Not that kind of dab…
How to Make Hash Edibles
Like with all edibles, one of the first steps is to make sure you like the taste of the hash you have. When you’re preparing it, that flavour will be more noticeable, so don’t go with a flavour you don’t like.
From there, you have to make sure you expose the hash to heat to activate the cannabinoids. This process is known as decarboxylation and would otherwise happen when you light the hash on fire). Luckily that’s relatively straightforward: heat the hash for 20-30 minutes at 240 degrees in your oven before infusing it with a fat of your choice (like oil, butter, etc.). Remember that this creates more potent THC. You may end up with slightly higher amounts in your food.
- Tip: The easiest infusion method—and the one that people swear by—is mixing the hash oil in a mason jar with butter or oil. Seal it tightly and stick it in a pot of hot, simmering water for up to an hour.
Vaping Hash
Much like dabbing, the answer to the question “can you vape hash?” is a definite yes, with some caveats.
You can vaporize hash using either a dry herb or concentrate vaporizer, though you’ll want to double-check to make sure your vaporizer is designed for this kind of use. Some vaporizers only specialize in flower or concentrates, while some can do both, and it’s important to know what your vaporizer can handle, so it doesn’t get damaged.
Vaping hash is not quite as simple as vaping weed, and—as with dabbing—you’ll want to be careful of residue build-up that comes with the practice.
If you don’t keep your vape chamber clean, you could end up gumming up the works. Regular hash vapers prefer to have separate equipment for the practice, whether that’s a dedicated vape pen or a separate, designated bag for your Volcano.
Overall, your vaping temperature should be around the same as it would be for weed, with the dry herb vaporizer set between 180-210 degrees Celsius. However, that temperature might vary based on the texture of the hash you have. Many users start at a lower level for Volcanoes, working their way up as they see fit.
It’s important to know that with vaping and dabbing, the temperatures don’t get as hot compared to when smoking it, which means you get a more flavourful smoke as more of the delicate terpenes are preserved.
Depending on which type of vape you’re using, the manual might have instructions more specifically tailored to your device. In those cases, it’s best to defer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Like with joints or bowls, it’s also possible to mix your hash with dry cannabis flower in your vaporizer. In that case, seasoned users advise using primarily flower with some hash sprinkled throughout to help the hash breath.
Smoking Hash FAQ
Best way to smoke hash?
As you can see, there are many ways to smoke hash, but there isn’t necessarily a best way to do it. A lot of it depends on your personal preferences and what you’re using it for. We encourage you to experiment and have fun with it as you find the best method that suits your needs.
Are there other ways to smoke hash?
There are! They range in terms of effectiveness, with some being considered fairly dangerous. But most alternatives to the examples listed here are just as safe as cannabis is. For instance, some people use hash in butter and oil, which they then cook with to make edibles. Other methods have been used for centuries, like hookah pipes, which are ideal for smoking with a group.
How can I use hash in a hookah?
Unlike the other ways to smoke hash on this list, you prepare the hash for a hookah by rolling it into a ball. Once your ball is ready, place it at the top of the hookah and fill it about three-quarters full of water.
Then heat your charcoal until it is red hot and place it on the hash, and then smoke as you normally would.
Where does hashish come from?
Hashish has a long history in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The earliest mention of the term “hashish” dates back to Egypt in 1123. Smoking hash didn’t become common until tobacco was more commonplace. Before that, hash was consumed exclusively as an edible.
It wouldn’t extend past the Muslim world until the 18th century, when it was introduced to Europe. From there, it was used for a variety of things, including some medical uses.
Where can I buy hash?
Since the 2018 Cannabis Act legalized it in Canada, the market has boomed. As a result, you can buy quality hash from reputable online shops like ours. We offer a range of high-quality hashish from countries around the world.
How is the effect of hash different from that of cannabis flower?
Depending on the THC quantity you’re used to, hash can be much more potent. But since both contain THC, marijuana and hashish have similar effects on both the mind and the body.
One of the most significant differences that users notice between hash and regular flower is in the flavour (though it will vary from strain to strain). While cannabis has a fresh and herbal taste, and sometimes it even has fruity undertones, hash has a more complex and rich flavour, and occasionally it’s even spicy.
