HASHPISTON

Once dismissed as a "horrid hot stick steamroller", the Hashpiston has its detractors. Yet, for those who appreciate its unique qualities, it offers a blissful and flavorful smoking experience.  From a physics and aerosol-science perspective, the biggest difference between a traditional water rig and a dry device such as the Hash Piston is not necessarily how much THC is generated, it's where the aerosol ends up condensing before it reaches your body.  A dab does not produce a pure gas. It produces a mixture of, vapor-phase terpenes, vapor-phase cannabinoids, tiny liquid aerosol droplets (oil mist), condensed particles formed as the vapor cools.  This is similar to how fog forms from water vapor. As the hot concentrate vapor cools, some compounds remain gaseous while others condense into microscopic droplets. The heavier compounds, especially cannabinoids, have much lower volatility than many terpenes, making them more likely to condense on surfaces.  The V10 Piston design is intended to reduce the amount of condensation inside the pipe body.  

What is the Hashpiston?  The original version was inspired by a traditional three-hole hash pipe, the Hashpiston is a reimagined tool for low-temperature vaporization of high-end rosin and hash. The core component is a 17/2.5 borosilicate tube chamber equipped with two angled vapor holes. This chamber accommodates an 11mm quartz rod for indirect or direct contact vaporization. By manipulating the rod's position, users can fractionate the concentrate, enjoying different flavor profiles throughout the session.

What is one of the significant difference in this over a traditional dab rig or electronic rig?  The primary distinction between the Hashpiston and traditional or electronic rigs lies in the controlled heat application. With the Hashpiston, the concentrate is heated solely through contact with the quartz rod. Removing the rod instantly eliminates heat exposure, preserving the concentrate's integrity. The rod itself serves as the vaporization surface, allowing users to manipulate the oil distribution for desired vapor production. Thermal imaging can enhance understanding of the rod's temperature zones, aiding in precise temperature control. While this learning curve exists, mastery leads to intuitive temperature management. For those unable to grasp this, traditional dab rigs or electronic vaporizers often remain the preferred choice.  

Is this the same thing as a nectar collector or dab tube style dipper?  The heat application is similar but the thermal mass for vaporization is typically much larger than what is offered with standard dippers.  Plus the ability to move the heat source away from the inhalation path sets the Piston apart from the dip style tube dabbers.  

Why is this a dry device?  I want or need water and like to watch the bubbling swirling water in a traditional rig!  The Hashpiston operates as a dry device to optimize vaporization of premium concentrates. By eliminating water filtration, users can experience the full spectrum of flavors and effects. Lower temperature vaporization ensures maximum terpene and cannabinoid preservation. While water filtration can be beneficial for lower quality materials to remove undesirable compounds, it can diminish the experience with high-grade concentrates.  If you need to watch water swirling there are plenty of videos on the web of people with those images...

I feel like I get higher and stay higher longer when using the Hashpiston to consume rosin, is that possible?  See the previous question, yes the potential for a more intense and prolonged high when using a Hashpiston to consume rosin is due to several factors. The device's design maximizes vapor condensation in the user's body, allowing for larger volume of cannabinoid and terpene delivery. Additionally, a portion of the vapor condenses into an oil mist that enters the mouth and esophagus. This oil can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream or ingested through saliva, leading to potential conversion of delta-9 THC into the longer-lasting 11-hydroxy-THC by the liver.  That oil/aerosol that is digested was likely lost to the water in most standard rigs.

My arthritis and inflammation has been reduced since using the Hashpiston, is that possibly linked to the piston?  Yes, see previous two paragraphs, this could potentially be linked to the device. When inhaling vapor, some oil particles are produced. While most cannabinoids are activated during heating, a small amount might remain in their acidic form. These particles can enter the bloodstream through the mouth and digestive system, potentially offering different effects. Acidic cannabinoids bind to receptors differently, potentially providing non-psychoactive benefits.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I am not a doctor.

How do I clean the Hashpiston?  Cleaning the Hashpiston is straightforward when done promptly. After each use, wipe the quartz rod clean with lint-free paper, such as a paper towel, paper bag, or a cotton towel works well. It's essential to remove oil while it's still warm.

The chamber tube can be easily cleaned with a twisted piece of paper bag to remove residual concentrate. For a more thorough clean, use 190-proof ethanol to remove oil residue from the main body. It's easiest to use a sonicator to loosen the oil that has pulled through into the main chamber.  This recovered oil can be decarboxylated at 110 degrees Celsius for at least an hour to create edibles or an ethanol-based tincture. To track the amount of recovered oil, weigh the piston before and after cleaning.   See IG reel @hashpiston for cleaning with drinking alcohol.

What do you think about the one that (insert some other name here) makes?

I've primarily used generic three-hole pipes before developing the Hashpiston. After using the traditional pipe I came up with this design to improve the performance for my needs.  JC, (@dichrowizard), had the patience and energy to endure my obsession with this project.  He has been able to produce the ideas I had and offer improvements, the development of this project would not have happened without his input.  Recently, I acquired some pieces from Max @kop_glass. For combusting traditional hash, I appreciate their clean design, efficient performance, and the included rod holder. They offer great value, especially when Max is doing promotions.   Danny Camp @dannycampglass makes a killer piece with a much larger diameter chamber that can accommodate up to a 13 mm quartz rod.

Where is the BUY IT NOW button?  Ha!  I'm not selling anything here, just throwing out concepts.  Maybe in the future...

How do I buy one of these?  Good luck, some people have been on the waiting list for over a year.  Keep watching the stories on IG, I post when we make them.  Be persistent, I often forget who I promise these to.  The best option is to hit up JC directly on IG @dichrowizard tell him you need one of these horrid hotstick devices in your life.  If you just show up at the studio and hang with him, he will probably just make one for you.

Do you care if I make one or have my buddy blow one of these?  Someone in Europe saw the design, had pieces made, and is now selling them on Instagram (@bjornbudder). That's awesome!  Action turns dreams into reality.  It's incredibly rewarding to see a design we created appreciated, used, and shared by others. Many people still don't understand the benefits, but we genuinely believe this is one of the most efficient ways to consume hash and rosin.

This has never really been a business venture for us. We simply enjoy creating, experimenting, and sharing our ideas. In fact, it would be an honor if someone took inspiration from our design and improved upon it. One example would be incorporating a chamber with a ground-glass joint to make cleaning easier and simplify reclaim collection from the chamber body.  Oh yeah... we finally did that.

I finally listened to JC. For years he kept telling me I didn't understand because I'm not a real glassblower. Apparently you can't just magically make these joints with a paddle and some skills. So I bought some stainless steel joints to get us started, and JC stopped by B&W Restaurant Supply and picked up some tongs to modify into custom tooling for making the joints.

The latest version is absolutely ripping. Hit up JC on Instagram (@dichrowizard) and tell him you need a V10 if you really want to taste the terps.

So what's the V10? I'm calling it the V10 because I can't remember how many versions we've gone through at this point. The V10 consists of a pipe body with a female 24/40 joint. The pipe stem is perfectly aligned with the vapor port in the center oil chamber. The oil chamber itself is a removable "bucket" featuring a 24/40 male joint on the outside and a 19/22 female joint on the inside. The chamber contains a single vapor port, approximately 4 mm in diameter. When the bucket is inserted into the pipe body, that port aligns to create a straight-through vapor path from the chamber to the mouthpiece. The vapor exits through the stem without contacting any unnecessary glass surfaces along the way. More details to come...