As weed emerges from the shadows and steps into the light of day, we’re all on the lookout for the best travel pipes and portable pieces that we can bring along for the ride. But it turns out that one of the smartest pocket-sized smoking accessories has been around since Star Wars first hit theaters.
Meet the Dugout, the OG travel hack for good times on the go.
What is a Dugout?
A dugout is a small box that combines a dugout pipe with a storage compartment for ground flower in one convenient carrying case. The pipe is usually called a one hitter, a bat, or at GRAV, a Taster®.
The concept is delightfully simple. You pop open the top, pull the one hitter out of its compartment, insert the bowl end into the flower side to pack it, and you’re ready for one or two lovely hits.
The Origins of the Dugout
These discreet little devices date back to the 1970s. Cannabis had grown increasingly popular throughout the mid-20th century, despite the nationwide bans on the plant.
Possession sentences were only getting more severe throughout the 1960s. But what were people going to do…not smoke? So they looked for discreet ways to partake that wouldn’t land them in jail.
One solution was the dugout. Early versions were often carved of wood, with one side for flower and one side for a one hitter. Often, they crafted the bat from ceramic and painted to look like a cigarette. From a distance, no one was the wiser.
So Why Is It Called a “Dugout?”
Stories vary. Some say it’s because the original devices were “dug out” of wood. Others say that it’s a baseball reference, since a dugout is where ball players stash their supplies. And since another name for a one hitter is a bat…the name made sense.
Either way, here’s a fun fact: the term “dugout” originated as a brand name for this invention, patented in 1978. Over time, “dugout” became the generic term, just like you might say “Kleenex” instead of tissue or “Chapstick” instead of lip balm. When a brand name becomes synonymous with the common name, that’s called genericide. Metal.
Why a Dugout is the Perfect On-the-Go Smoking Tool
These days, most people don’t have to be quite as discreet about smoking as they did back in the 1970s (or even in the 1990s). But the dugout is still a no-brainer for getting high while packing light. Here’s why.
Portability: +1 Inventory
Dugouts are small enough to fit in a pocket, backpack, crossbody bag, Nintendo Switch case, D&D dice bag…you get the idea. And since all your components are in one handy little box, you won’t be digging around the bottom of your backpack looking for your Taster or that last nug that you know is in there somewhere.
Discretion: Stealth Mode Activated
Even in a world of expanding legalization, you may have reasons to keep your little green friend to yourself. Disapproving relatives. Uptight coworkers. Nosy landlords who like to “pop by” unannounced.
Dugouts are the smell-proof cannabis container you’re looking for. And they’re easy to tuck away when Mr. Shickadance makes a surprise visit to your place, “just to say hi.”
Efficiency: Speedrun Ready
When you’re out and about, the simpler your setup, the better. With a packed dugout, all you need to grab is the box and a lighter, and you’re good to go–no rolling papers or extra accessories to make a mess or weigh you down.
Ease of Use: Reload (& Reload)
The loading process for a dugout is a simple handheld affair. No need for a rolling tray, no pieces that you need to set aside until you’re ready for them. So it’s perfect for quick hits outside the bar, while on a hike, during the concert…anywhere that you need to light up on the go.
Picking the Best Dugout for You
You’re gonna find a lot of options out there. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your first (or fourth) dugout.
Material Matters
Today’s dugouts come in a whole heap of material options.
Aluminum dugouts are super durable, heat resistant, and easy to clean. You can tap an aluminum one hitter on a hard surface to clear any burned-out residue from the bowl. And they come in a whole rainbow of colors.
Wood dugouts have a nice, warm look that some people really love. Wood one hitters are usually lined with a metal core, like brass or aluminum. But the wooden bat exterior insulates the metal so you won’t burn your fingers. On the downside, wood dugouts are less durable than aluminum, and can scratch if you’re not careful.
Acrylic dugouts come in an enormous variety of colors and heady patterns, like old-school stoner swirls. These dugouts are durable, but they can crack if they get super cold. These pieces often come with a metal bat or a metal core surrounded by an acrylic exterior.
Silicone dugouts could be your best bet if you want shock protection, but you also prefer to smoke out of glass. Silicone dugouts have a glass storage chamber and a glass one hitter, so you get a super clean smoke wrapped up in a protective rubbery layer. Some also come with a metal bat instead, like aluminum or titanium.
Shape Appeal
Dugouts come in a few different shapes. Most are low-profile rectangles, a bit like a Zippo lighter. This may be the best option if you plan to take your dugout out with you, since it’s the quintessential pocket-sized smoking accessory.
But there are also less conventional shapes like cylinders and cuboids, if you just loooove to be different.
Bonus Features
Different dugout brands offer their own little extras to make your smoke sesh that much better.
Built-in poker - A nice little addition that lets you clear your one hitter after use without carrying around a resin paper clip.
A spring-loaded bat - So it pops right out when you open the lid, and you don’t have to fish for it with your less-than-dainty fingers.
A clear storage window—You don’t want to run out of the good stuff, so a clear storage window lets you ensure that you’re fully loaded before you start your adventure.
GRAV Dugouts: Pick Your Player
GRAV has two entries into the dugout game. Pick the right smoke sesh sidekick for all your favorite extracurriculars.
GRAV Dugout
The original GRAV® Dugout is a sleek, modern affair made of ultra-durable anodized aluminum and comes in six colors. (That’s the stuff they use in the aerospace industry.)
Twist open the top and a spring-loaded aluminum Taster will pop right out. On the bottom of the dugout, a built-in poker makes it easy to get any caked-in resin out of your Taster. And the storage compartment has a clear viewing window, so you can check your stash before you go.
It’s super compact and lightweight, making it ideal for concerts, festivals, hiking trips, and camping weekends. It also comes with a carrying case and a carabiner, so that you can clip it to a backpack or belt loop for extra security.
Replacement tasters are also available if the unthinkable happens.
GRAV Silicone Dugout
When only glass will do, the GRAV® Silicone Dugout has got you covered. This compact companion has a borosilicate storage compartment and a Taster to keep your session super clean. It’s all wrapped in a layer of food-grade silicone to protect the goods from the crush of a crowd or a particularly aggressive baggage handler at the airport.
A cutout in the silicone lets you track your flower levels, and the hinged lid stays securely connected to the base so you can’t lose it, no matter how high you get. PLUS, (and this is the best part) it’s seriously affordable.
It is available in three colors and compatible with any 12mm glass Taster if you happen to break yours.
How to Pack a Dugout
Before loading up your dugout, you’ll want to grind your weed into a fine, even consistency with a multi-piece grinder. Don’t go TOO fine, or it will pull through the one hitter and into your mouth when you inhale. You may need to experiment with different grinds until you figure out the perfect texture for your bat.
When the grind is right, it’s time to add your flower to the dugout’s storage chamber. You can use a small funnel for this, but a rolled-up piece of paper will do the trick. (Best to do this over a rolling tray or a plate so you don’t lose anything.) As you load your dugout, you can use the one hitter to gently press the flower down, but don’t pack it tight. If it’s too tight, it will a) be hard to load your one hitter and b) prevent airflow and burn unevenly.
Once your dugout is loaded, go forth on your adventures! When it’s time to smoke, remove the one hitter from the container and press the bowl end into the herb storage chamber. Give it a little twist to help it grab the flower; then pull it back out and you’re ready to light up.
How to Clean a Dugout
Clean tools are a sign of an enlightened herbologist.
For your Taster, a sharp blow through the mouth end will clear leftover ash from the bowl. You can also use a poker (or an unfolded paper clip) to clear a blocked air hole. To clean any remaining resin, Grunge Off is a great option for glass or aluminum one hitters. Just soak your bat in Grunge Off for a couple hours, then rinse it with warm water and let it dry. You can even reuse the Grunge Off again on another piece later.
The storage side of your dugout should be easy to clean, since there’s no burned matter in there. A small bottle brush with some water and a drop of dish soap will do the trick. Make sure to let it dry completely before loading it back up.
Find Your Ritual. Find Your Higher Self with GRAV.
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