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The Physics of the Incredibowl

Because the brass Smoke-Injection Nozzle has relatively high specific heat, the hot smoke is cooled as it passes through the nozzle before entering the expansion chamber. The smoke is further cooled by the depressurization it undergoes while entering the expansion chamber. During this cooling, many of the semi-volatile and tar-like compounds condense out and adhere to the inner wall of the brass nozzle and, particularly, the stainless-steel screen. The effect of placing the screen far down the smoke stream--after initial cooling within the glass and nozzle--is such that many semi-volatile and tar-like compounds, which are still in a gaseous form near the bowl (where screens are typically placed), have cooled, and become aerosols which are more effectively filtered with a relatively cool, fine-wire mesh screen. With extensive non-cleaning testing, you'll begin to notice a splatter pattern of condensed tars that begins to appear on the inside of the expansion chamber.

From our discussions with respiratory specialists (and physics courtesy of the engineering team), we've come to understand that the reduced irritation/coughing is linked to reduced strain on the lungs. Because the pressure is reduced in the expansion chamber as you inhale, when you pull the carb, the smoke quickly equalizes into the lungs in a nearly-fully-expanded state. Other pipes, waterpipes, and vaporizers, require the lungs to draw harder to pull the smoke/vapor into the lungs. While waterpipes follow a similar method of cooling and allowing the smoke to collect before the carb is pulled, due to the placement of the water in the stream and the relative pressure differential, when the user pulls the carb, he or she must then further strain already-expanded lungs to clear the tube of an overly-cooled smoke and water vapor mixture. In the case of lungs that are weak from respiratory conditions, this typically leads to coughing, both from the strain and the introduction of water vapor into the lungs.

The Incredibowl is unique when compared to other delivery devices because the total volume of smoke is limited by the relatively small size of the expansion chamber and controlled by the user, and unlike a gravity waterpipe, the maximum density is limited by the strength of the user's lungs opposing the pressure created on the injection method. Because the density and volume of the smoke are the key factors in establishing whether a hit exceeds a user's comfort level, the Incredibowl allows the user to control the smoke density with the pressure of the hit and to instantly deliver the dose when satisfied.

As you acquaint yourself to the Incredibowl and the subtleties of its action (generally expertise takes no more than ten sessions), you’ll notice that the combined effect of cooling, filtration, and user-controlled volume lead to a very significant reduction in instances of coughing due to irritation.

Incredibowl History

The Incredibowl is the product of countless hours of design, testing, and research and development. We threw out every bit of conventional wisdom about glass pieces: that they have to be fragile, that the carb has to be a small valve, and that throat and lung irritation comes with the territory. Our initial design team pondered the basic functions and features that would make an ideal smoking experience and worked to incorporate them all.

From the outset, the piece was designed with a glass bowl, because we believe that what you smoke should taste like what it is, not what it's smoked out of. We knew that the piece had to be unbreakable, and designed BowlArmor TM technology to allow our borosilicate glass smoking element to withstand serious impact. Having committed to working with 6061 aluminum, we took advantage of the state-of-the-art in computer aided design to perfect the airflow and create the Annular Purge Carb TM - a carb made to work harder for cooling and clearance than any other design can. As our engineering team grew, the Smoke Injection Nozzle was recognized as an ideal filtration point, and the stainless steel screen was introduced to catch the embers pulled into the high-velocity airstream. Finally, we decided on polycarbonate as the ideal material for the Expansion Chamber for its shatterproof chemical makeup, light weight and transparency, allowing a full-view of the Incredibowl's one-of-a-kind flow dynamics.

After over a year and half, we completed the i420 edition - it's easy to smoke, easy to clean, easy on your lungs, and hard to break. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

- The Incredibowl Industries Team