Features of Smoking Bongs
A bong filters smoke by passing it through water, cooling it, and softening it before it reaches the smoker’s lungs. Water can also capture non-water-soluble elements from cannabis that are heavier.
Bongs can be made from wood, acrylic, and borosilicate glass. Some even come with various features that increase your experience’s quality.
Ergonomic Mouthpiece
Bongs come in different shapes and sizes, but their purpose is the same: to filter and cool the smoke created when burning cannabis. Most have a bowl that holds the weed and a drop pipe (or “pipe”) that connects the bowl to the bong. Some even have a catcher at the bottom of the bong, which acts as a pre-cooler and ash catcher.
A carb hole on the side of the bong covers the hole before you start smoking to control the amount of smoke you take in through your lungs before it’s exposed to hot air and toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some bongs also come with percolators or diffusers that increase water surface area and filter the smoke by creating small bubbles, softening large bong rips for more effortless inhalation.
Remember that a smoking bong is breakable and should be kept somewhere safe where it can’t be knocked over or dropped. Besides, sharing your bong with friends can be risky as it could introduce germs and bacteria into the water, leading to sicknesses.
Bent Neck
The neck of a bong is where the downstem connects to the bowl and where the mouthpiece is located. Depending on the bong’s design, this neck may also house an ice-catcher (which helps to cool the smoke) or a percolator (for additional smoke filtration).
A bong is a piece of glass that uses water and a bowl of weed to produce smoke. The water in the bong helps to cool and filter the smoke, resulting in a smoother hit than would otherwise be possible with just a joint or blunt.
When using a bong, hold the mouthpiece with your lips slightly apart and apply slight pressure to form a seal. After the bong has a lot of smoke built up, inhale through the mouthpiece to begin smoking.
If you need guidance on using a bong correctly, the friendly budtenders at your nearby dispensary are always willing to assist. Bongs are an excellent way to indulge in cannabis with elegance, and with the correct equipment, they can be effortless to operate and maintain.
Built-In Screens
Pipe screens are small screens that help prevent clogging and resin build-up in pipes and bongs. These handy accessories come in various sizes and materials, each with its unique benefits.
Brass screens are the standard that most smokers rely on and have served their purpose well for decades. They are easily adapted to fit any size bowl and can reduce the amount of debris in your water bong.
Glass and quartz screens are more durable than metal but also expensive. These screens are precision-engineered to fit the bowls they’re meant for ideally, and they’re made out of borosilicate glass or fused silica to withstand high temperatures. They’re a great alternative to metal screens and provide the same results without affecting your herbs’ taste. They’re also available in various beautiful colors and designs. Glass and quartz screens are easier to clean than brass. These accessories are necessary for anyone who wants to keep their smoking experience as smooth and clean as possible.
Ash Catcher
The ash catcher prevents resin and ash from reaching the water of your bong, so your hits will be cleaner, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning as much. Prevent your water pipe from getting dirty and discolored over time by implementing this method, which can extend its lifespan.
Ash catchers are often paired with percolators to create smoother, cleaner smoke by filtering out harsh particles before reaching your lungs. They can be attached to your bong at a 45- or 90-degree angle and come in various sizes and designs.
It’s essential to ensure that your ash catcher is the right size for your bong and has the same joint size as the piece you’re connecting it to (or else you’ll have an awkward and sticky mess). Luckily, many glass companies offer slide adapters to make this process easy. Ash catchers can also be used on regular bongs instead of a downstem, adding extra percolation to your smoke sessions. They’re a great addition to any bong that needs an upgrade.
Splash Guard
Many people use bongs because they provide a more substantial hit of cannabis with more pronounced and longer-lasting effects than other methods like joints. Different types of bongs are available, which vary in shape and size and can be crafted from glass, ceramic, or plastic. Most modern bongs are made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
The basic design of a bong features a mouthpiece, a central chamber, and a downstem. The mouthpiece is where you inhale, and the main chamber holds the weed bowl. The downstem connects the bowl to the water chamber and transports the smoke through the water for a cooling filtration process.
This water filtration removes heavier elements from the smoke, like ash and unburnt green material. The cooled smoke then enters your lungs. This filtration also helps reduce the amount of harmful chemicals inhaled. If you use a plastic bong, it’s recommended that you not substitute the water with other liquids, as these can release toxic chemicals into the water when they heat up from the smoke and burnt weed.
