So what is a bong, exactly? Water pipes and bongs come in many different sizes and styles but essentially function all the same. They use a water filtration process that takes place in the water chamber where water is held and diffused (a downstem and percolator uses the water chamber to filter and cool down smoke).
Understanding how a bong works is vital if you plan on buying or using a water pipe to smoke your delicious cannabis flowers. It's also essential to understand the ins and outs of a bong in order to get the most out of every hit while preserving the best flavor and taste profile possible. Let's break down the components of a water bong and how the smoke travels through water bongs.
How Cannabis Smoke Travels Through a Glass Water Pipe
A bong can be an intimidating smoking device if you've never used one before. The best way for you to learn is to understand how the process works from start to finish. This entails everything from lighting your dry flowers from your bong bowl to how that smoke travels through the bong and into your lungs. Understanding how your water bong functions is crucial. Let's break it down!
The Bong Bowl - Where the Journey Begins in Your Water Pipe
Every bongs journey starts with the bong bowl piece. Dry cannabis flowers are packed inside the bong bowl where it will then be lit. You must refrain from lighting the cannabis for an extended amount of time to avoid overheating or burning your cannabis. Light the bong bowl piece just enough to where the flowers are able to burn on their own and light itself. The other nugs packed in the bowl will begin to light as long as you are pulling from the mouthpiece. You can hit the bowl with the lighter a few times if needed but never leave the flame on top of the buds for the entire time you are pulling (this will cause your cannabis to burn completely).
What is a Downstem for in your Water Bong Pipe?
A slitted downstem (all downstems have slits or holes) functions as a water diffuser which helps cool hot smoke down as well as filter out any cannabis ash or residue from being inhaled. Without one, smoke will be harsh and may even cause irritation in your lungs. Downstems can come in different designs and styles but all have the same function. Once cannabis is lit from the bowl piece, smoke will travel directly into the water chamber where the downstem is placed, and begin diffusing your smoke while filtering out unwanted particles.
What Does the Bong Percolator Process Look Like inside a Glass Water Bong?
Depending on the type of bong you have, there will typically be a built-in percolator. A bong percolator has many styles and designs. It is another type of diffuser with numerous holes that uses an intricate diffusion process to ensure smoke is filtered to the fullest extent by creating a mass amount of bubbles in the water chamber. Smoke will travel from the downstem and into your percolator. Not all bongs have a percolator but almost all bongs will have a downstem.
The Bong Pipe Water Chamber and What it does
The water chamber works in conjunction with both the downstem and the percolator. Water filters out ash and unwanted particles and acts as a cooling surface to provide a cleaner, smoother, and tastier inhale. The water chamber in your water bong works together with the diffusers and optimally cool down hot smoke from your glass bong.
What is the Purpose of the Ice Pincher in Your Waterbong?
The ice pincher is the last travel point for the cannabis smoke to travel through before reaching the mouthpiece. The ice pincher allows for ice to be added and held right above the water chamber. This serves as an extra cooling agent to allow your smoke to hit the ice and cool down before entering your lungs.
Mouthpiece of Your Waterpipe Glass - The End of Your Bong Journey
Finally, we've reached the end of your bong journey with the mouthpiece of your water pipe. For the entire process, you are inhaling and pulling through the mouthpiece and once the smoke enters your lungs, you have completed the entire smoke cycle of your bong! Congrats you did it!
Are You Smoking Your Bong at Home or On the Go?
This is an important question! If you're smoking your bong indoors, a standard water bong or even a large herb bong will be the perfect option for you. However, if you are always on the move, a smaller and more portable water pipe will be your best bet. We also offer silicone bong selections for those always on the go to avoid your precious glass from shattering or breaking. Depending on your lifestyle or circumstance, picking the right bongs can save you time and money!
Do You Need a Water Bong that Hits Ultra Smooth?
We previously mentioned above in the journey of how smoke travels through a bong, cooling is done in the water chamber with the help of your percolator and downstem. Whether you prefer softer hits or have sensitive lungs, then buying a bong with an equipped downstem, ice pincher, and percolator is recommended to reap the benefits of maximum cooling.
What Type of Weed Bong for Cannabis Do You Need? Glass, Silicone, Ceramic, or Acrylic?
With so many bongs on the cannabis market, it's no surprise to see so many different styles and types of water pipes and bongs. The major differences between these bongs are the material in which it's made. Depending on the type, the material can and will affect the way in which your dry flowers taste. Ceramic and acrylic, for example, will slightly alter the taste profile of your buds. Silicone and glass are the more common water pipes and are typically the best methods of smoking cannabis, with glass being number one. The downside is that glass bongs are usually marked at a higher price point than other materials.
Do You Need a Bong With Added Features and Extensions?
A standard glass bong will typically come with a downstem and an ice pincher. For more complex bongs, they are designed with options to add on extensions and filters such as an ash catcher or percolator. You can customize your piece to your liking and add as many percolators as your bong allows. An ash catcher will function as an extra filtration system to catch any ash or small weed particles that may have made its way through your water pipe upon inhaling. It can also serve as an additional water filtration to ensure you have the best hits. It all depends on how intricate you want to get and how smooth and clean of an inhale you are looking for. Keep in mind, though, too many percolators added will actually increase your chances of stale smoke.
