When vape pens came out, people who had long been wondering how to hide stinky weed smoke rejoiced. Though the vapor still had an aroma, it was much easier to evade than thick, dank pot smoke. If I try to sneak away for a vape pen toke at a wedding, the logistics are much simpler than puffing a joint between cocktails and the first dance. Now, these secret tokes are stealthier than ever, thanks to personal smoke filters.
These devices promise to turn vapor and smoke into pure air. I heard about the Smoke Buddy in the 2010s, and it is still available today. But now, a few other stealthy options have entered the market. Obviously, I had to put a couple to the test.
RELATED: Cannabis products achieve rare, noteworthy result
Using the Houdini smoke filter
The one-time-use Houdini from MJ Arsenal reduces smoke and odor for up to 300 exhales. There is a puff counter on the side of the cream-colored biodegradable plastic body that indicates when the carbon filter is spent.
The unit is small enough to hide in my palm and eats up all the vapor from my pen. It can handle a full rip from my Weeday bong, but it takes lung control to blow the full cloud in. There is a slight resistance, I’m guessing from the smoke finding space to filter through. It was not an issue if I blew the smoke out in a metered way rather than intensely. Those with low lung capacity may have trouble.
The Houdini works magic, and I will likely keep it in my bag for on-the-go vaping and small hits. However, when it comes to filtering big clouds, I’m all in on the Sploofy.
Sploofy: a Millennial tradition gone mainstream
Sploof is a term for a homemade tool that can catch the aroma of cannabis smoke. It consists of a spent toilet paper roll with a dryer sheet rubber-banded onto one end. The dryer sheet collects the smell, but the smoke still pours through. Sploofy, a personal smoke filter, changes that while using the name of its beloved predecessor.
The Sploofy Pro is a bit larger than the Houdini. It is too big to hide in my palm, so it will be visible while you blow the vapor. This size increases how much smoke the thing can take. It absorbed a big, fat bong rip easily when I blew it out at my usual velocity. The Pro has absolutely no issues with a bong rip or dab.
My favorite part of this filter device is that it is reusable. Switch out the cartridge and keep going once the device is spent. However, the quickness with which it fills is a personal journey. The consumption method can age the filter faster. Bong rips create more particles than vaporizers, for example.
After researching it, the company believes a Sploofy cartridge takes 300 to 400 hits. This translates into one to two months for most. You will know it is done because it becomes hard to blow smoke through.
Those seeking a way to conceal their smoke or filter it out of the air for those sharing the space will love these devices. As for which one you should choose, that depends.
RELATED: How to avoid weed addiction while still consuming lots of it
Picking the perfect personal smoke filter
Both of these personal smoke filters are perfect for the right person. Those relying on these tools for the utmost privacy about their consumption should check the Houdini. While it may be more suited for smaller hits, it can hide more easily. The size makes it potentially stealthy even in public situations. However, people who need to blow big clouds quickly after a hit or want something reusable should opt for the Sploofy.
Personally, I value having both. One is ideal for vaporizer hits while on long trips with the family, and the other is for those full-bodied bong tokes. My non-consuming husband will likely be pleased that I’ve stopped regularly hotboxing the bedroom. Thankfully, I also have a HotBox to clear the air.
There are many reasons to keep your smoke to yourself, and in this modern age–it’s possible. Personal smoke filters have altered my brain chemistry. I’m simply thrilled to add these to my weed kit. Whether my goal is to conceal consumption or eliminate secondhand smoke, I’ll never stop using these nifty devices.
