Cannabis users who enjoy smoking on the go often value convenience. There’s nothing worse than rolling in the rain or wind or losing a vital piece of apparatus in one of your many pockets, which is where the weed dugout comes in handy.

It’s an all-in-one smoking kit with a slot for your one-hitter, a compartment for your mini stash, and sometimes a poker tool for cleaning out pesky blockages in your pipe. Here, we look at why the weed dugout is growing in popularity among dedicated cannabis consumers and what to look out for if you plan on buying one. 

What is a Weed Dugout

Weed dugouts are portable storage containers for cannabis and one-hitters. These containers are roughly the same size as a deck of cards or a pack of cigarettes, which should fit snugly into most pockets. Most weed dugouts provide limited smell containment but should mask the smell more than having loose cannabis in a baggy in your pocket. 

History and Origins of Weed Dugouts

People have searched for convenient ways to carry cannabis for generations. The origins of the weed dugout can be traced back to the snuff and tobacco containers of the past. The early versions resembled simple tins that kept everything in one place. 

While it's hard to pinpoint an exact moment when the weed dugout arrived on the scene, it grew in popularity in the counterculture movement of the '60s and '70s when authorities were cracking down more on cannabis smokers.

People needed a way to carry it around conveniently with less chance of detection. These weed dugouts were often made of wood and personalized by artists, which are still popular today.

Other devices that people in the cannabis community like to use include stash jars and travel containers, which have a more significant focus on smell containment than weed dugouts. 

Components of a Weed Dugout

The weed dugout is a simple way to carry everything you need to consume cannabis in one place. Here are the main components of a typical weed dugout: 

The Dugout Container

The main shell of the weed dugout is typically made of wood, but you can also buy containers made from metal or plastic. 

1. The most common wood used for these containers is walnut, maple, or rosewood, which all give a classic aesthetic like a fine piece of furniture. However, wood may absorb the smell of cannabis over time. 

2. Metal versions can be made with aluminum to keep them light or stainless steel for durability, but they are heavier to carry around. 

3. Plastic options are usually the most affordable but can be the most prone to cracking. 

The One-Hitter Pipe

You'll find a snug slot for your favorite one-hitter pipe in your weed dugout. This small tube has existed in some form since the 1700s. Today, one-hitters are made of metal, glass, ceramic, or wood instead of clay. If you're not planning on smoking anybody out, these devices are great for getting a quick hit of cannabis on the go. 

Storage Compartment for Cannabis

The next, and perhaps most important, component of the weed dugout is the storage compartment for cannabis. Most weed dugouts have enough space for 1-2 grams of ground weed. Another feature of some weed dugouts is a spring-loaded mechanism to help load your one-hitter.

To avoid cannabis getting stuck, the inside of the compartment is usually smooth. It’s best to pack what you need as it doesn’t protect cannabis from humidity and won’t keep it as fresh as some other containers. 

Benefits of Using a Weed Dugout

It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of weed paraphernalia when you’re a dedicated cannabis consumer, but the weed dugout is one to consider adding to your collection. These portable containers make carrying cannabis discreet and easy.

It’s not as evident that you have one in your pocket as if you carry your favorite weed grinder in skinny jeans. Weed dugouts keep everything you need to get high on the go in one place and even contain tools for cleaning your one-hitter if it gets clogged.

These devices are quick and provide easy access to everything you need. While there are better ways to store your stash for preservation, weed dugouts offer protection against moisture and air and have some smell containment features, depending on which one you go for. 

How to Use a Weed Dugout

So, you’ve selected which dugout floats your boat, and now you’re wondering how to get the most out of it. Well, first, you open the storage compartment and fill it with your favorite strain of cannabis, making sure to grind it finely enough to fit in your one-hitter but not too fine so that it flies through.

When you’re ready to take a hit, the spring-loaded mechanism makes it easy to remove your one-hitter. Next, dip the tip in your weed compartment and give it a light tap to encourage the cannabis into the pipe. Or, in some cases, the weed dugout will have another spring-loaded mechanism to help load the pipe.

Now that it’s packed, take a hit. Ensure you take care of your one-hitter between uses and keep it clean using isopropyl alcohol or rinse it with warm water for light residue. 

Popular Types of Weed Dugouts

As it’s such a popular item, tons of weed dugouts are on the market. For a classic wooden brand, RYOT offers a variety of weed dugouts made with high-quality maple and walnut.

If you’re leaning towards a metal weed dugout, check out Grav Labs’ aluminum and stainless steel weed dugout collection. Pax is one of the leading providers of plastic weed dugouts. RYOT, along with a bunch of other brands, will also customize your weed dugout with engraving. 

Maintenance and Care of a Weed Dugout

Like with all cannabis paraphernalia, taking care of these items will increase longevity. Here’s how to clean different types of weed dugouts: 

• Wooden dugout:To access the crevices, use a damp paper towel or cloth and a small brush, but avoid soaking to prevent damage to the wood. 

• Metal dugout:For a deep clean, soak metal dugouts in isopropyl alcohol. Then, use a small brush to reach the crevices. 

• Plastic dugout:These dugouts can be soaked in isopropyl alcohol and cleaned more deeply with a small brush. 

Are Weed Dugouts Legal?

Weed dugouts are typically allowed in states where recreational cannabis is legal. Due to the legality of cannabis in other locations, marketing of weed dugouts focuses on features like smell-proofing and how discreet these devices are.

Buy these one hitters from Vessel

While it’s a discrete and convenient choice compared to some other methods of cannabis transportation, Vessel’s line of vapes offers an even more discreet way of smoking on the go. Or, you can check out our Air One Hitters to slot nicely into your weed dugout. 

Conclusion

Weed dugouts gained popularity during the counterculture movement and have remained a convenient way to carry small amounts of cannabis and the paraphernalia needed to smoke it on the go.

Not only do these contraptions contain everything you need, but they are small enough to carry discreetly, and some brands offer smell-proofing. As cannabis becomes more mainstream, more tools will enter the market.