A bong is a pipe used to smoke dry herb that uses water to cool and filter the smoke. When you hit a bong, the smoke is pulled through a water-filled chamber. Then as the smoke bubbles up through the liquid, the water simultaneously cools down the temperature of the smoke and pulls out fine particulate matter such as tar and ash.
Bongs are simple but sophisticated devices that come in various shapes, sizes and materials. They have several parts that work together, but knowing a bit about how they work together will hopefully help you get the most out of your bong experience.
What You Need to Smoke a Bong
- A bong
- Herb or tobacco
- A grinder (you can also use your fingers or scissors)
- Water
- Lighter or hemp wick
How to Use a Bong: Step by Step Instructions
-
Prep your bong.
Pour water into the mouthpiece until the waterline is above the base of the stem but below the bowl. You can also put ice cubes in the water if you’d like. The temperature is a matter of preference– some people love cold, some warm, and many are fine with room temperature. -
Grind your herb or tobacco.
Take a small amount of herb or tobacco, grind or break it up and fill the bowl, without packing it too tightly. -
Place your lips inside the mouthpiece.
Place your mouth inside the mouthpiece, creating a tight seal. When placing your mouth on the inhale hole, place your lips inside, not over, the hole. Purse them slightly and force them gently into the hole so that the outside of your lips creates an airtight seal. -
Use a lighter or hemp wick.
Hold a flame over the bowl and inhale strongly, and steadily. Using a lighter can result in low levels of butane inhalation, which is non-toxic but may present health problems in large quantities. Hemp wick is a natural alternative that burns cleaner and slower than lighters. -
Start inhaling.
When the chamber starts to fill with smoke, pull out the bowl or take your finger off the carb (if you have one) and inhale forcefully, clearing the smoke into your lungs. -
Exhale.
Exhale, and if desired, repeat steps 3-5. -
Clean your bong.
It’s not a must every time you use the bong, but make sure to keep it clean and change the water regularly. A dirty bong can harbor bacteria and mold, as well as affect the taste and quality of your smoke.
Why Use a Bong?
Bongs have several advantages over other smoking methods, such as:
- Bongs produce smoother hits than joints, blunts or pipes, because the water cools down the smoke and filters out some of the harsh chemicals.
- Bongs can deliver larger hits than most other devices, because they can hold more smoke in their chambers.
- Bongs can conserve your herb or tobacco, because they burn it more efficiently and produce less waste.
- Bongs can enhance the flavor and aroma of your herb or tobacco, because they preserve more of the terpenes and cannabinoids that give them their unique characteristics.
Bongs also have some drawbacks, such as:
- Bongs can be expensive, especially if they are made of high-quality glass or have intricate designs.
- Bongs can be fragile, especially if they are made of glass or ceramic. They can break easily if dropped or mishandled.
- Bongs can be hard to transport, especially if they are large or bulky. They can also attract unwanted attention from law enforcement or nosy neighbors.
- Bongs can be challenging to use for beginners, especially if they are not used to inhaling large amounts of smoke at once. They can also cause coughing or choking if the smoke is too hot or harsh.
Conclusion
Bongs are a popular and enjoyable way to smoke herb or tobacco, but they are not for everyone. They require some preparation, maintenance and practice to use properly, but they can also provide a smooth, potent and flavorful experience. If you are curious about bongs, you can find great water bong options on retailers like
Cannabox
or
The Cannigma
. Remember to always use bongs responsibly and legally, and enjoy the ride!
