If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you probably know how important it is to keep your piece clean and fresh. Not only does a clean bong enhance the flavor and smoothness of your smoke, but it also prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms that can affect your health. But how often should you change the water in your glass bong and why? In this article, we will answer this question and give you some tips on how to properly clean any type of bong.
Why you should change the water in your glass bong regularly
The water in your glass bong serves several purposes. First, it filters out some of the tar, ash, and toxins from the smoke, making it less harsh on your lungs and throat. Second, it cools down the smoke, making it more pleasant to inhale. Third, it adds some moisture to the smoke, preventing it from drying out your mouth and airways.
However, as you smoke from your glass bong, the water also becomes dirty and contaminated with the substances that it filters out. This can affect the quality of your smoke in several ways. For example:
- Dirty water can alter the taste and smell of your smoke, making it more bitter and unpleasant.
- Dirty water can reduce the filtering and cooling effects of the water, making the smoke more harsh and irritating.
- Dirty water can harbor mold, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause infections, allergies, or respiratory problems.
Therefore, changing the water in your glass bong regularly is essential to maintain a good smoking experience and avoid potential health risks. But how often is regularly?
How often should you change the water in your glass bong
The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as how often you use your glass bong, how much you smoke from it, what kind of herb or tobacco you smoke, and how clean you keep your piece. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should change the water in your glass bong after every smoke session.
This means that every time you finish smoking from your glass bong, you should pour out the old water and rinse it with fresh water. This will prevent the water from becoming stagnant and foul-smelling, and will also remove some of the residue that accumulates on the walls and bottom of the bong.
If you use your glass bong frequently or for long periods of time, you may need to change the water more often than once per session. For example, if you notice that the water becomes cloudy, discolored, or has particles floating in it, you should change it immediately. Similarly, if you smell or taste something off in your smoke, you should change the water as soon as possible.
How to properly clean any type of bong
Changing the water in your glass bong regularly is a good habit to keep your piece fresh and functional. However, it is not enough to ensure a thorough cleaning of your bong. Over time, tar, resin, and other substances will build up on the inside and outside of your bong, especially on the slide and bowl. This can affect the airflow, appearance, and performance of your piece.
Therefore, you should also deep clean your glass bong roughly once a week or whenever you notice significant buildup. To do this, you will need some basic supplies that you can find at any supermarket or pharmacy:
- Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher)
- Coarse salt
- Resealable plastic bags
- Cotton swabs or pipe cleaners
- Dish soap
- Warm water
The steps to clean a glass bong are as follows:
- Separate all the moving pieces from the bong: the slide, the bowl, and the stem.
- Rinse out each piece in hot water to loosen up any big chunks of resin.
- Knock off any remaining chunks with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners.
- Place each piece in a separate resealable plastic bag.
- Fill each bag with enough isopropyl alcohol to cover the piece completely.
- Add some coarse salt to each bag as an abrasive agent.
- Seal each bag securely and shake them vigorously for a minute or two.
- Let the pieces soak in the alcohol for at least 15 minutes or up to several hours for tough stains.
- Pour out the alcohol and salt mixture and rinse each piece with warm water and dish soap.
- Let the pieces dry completely before reassembling the bong.
If you don’t have isopropyl alcohol or salt, you can also use other ingredients to clean your glass bong, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or commercial bong cleaners. However, these may not be as effective or may leave a residue or odor on your piece.
Conclusion
Keeping your glass bong clean and fresh is important for your smoking enjoyment and health. You should change the water in your glass bong after every smoke session and deep clean your piece roughly once a week. By doing this, you will ensure that your bong delivers smooth, tasty, and safe smoke every time.
