A gravity bong is a type of homemade bong that uses water and pressure to draw smoke into the lungs. It consists of a two-piece chamber system that nestles together—one larger chamber to hold the water and a second smaller chamber to hold the bowl and capture the smoke. As the herb is lit, gravity pulls herb smoke into the bottle using water in a container to create suction. A gravity bong is also known by various names such as GB, geeb, bucket bong, or waterfall bong.
Gravity bongs are popular among cannabis enthusiasts because they deliver a powerful hit of THC that may be too much for an inexperienced cannabis beginner, so gravity bong-er beware. However, if you’re trying to stretch your stash, looking for a bit of nostalgia, or feel like getting crafty with your tobacco consumption, here’s a handy guide to creating your own gravity bong using a few everyday household objects.
How Does a Gravity Bong Work?
A gravity bong works by submerging a small bottle with a bowl of herb on top in a larger bottle or bucket of water. While lighting the herb, slowly draw the bottle out of the water to fill it with smoke from the burning herb. Unscrew the lid, put your mouth over the bottle’s opening, and push the bottle down to let gravity propel the herb smoke into your lungs. Voila!
The reason why gravity bongs get you higher than other smoking methods is because they force heavily concentrated smoke into your lungs, filling them to capacity beyond the average hit from a pipe or joint. When you inhale the contents of the smoky bottle into your lungs, you are essentially breathing in the smoke from an entire bowl of herb in one go.
How to Make a Gravity Bong?
There are two main types of gravity bongs: bucket bongs and waterfall bongs. Both use similar equipment but differ in how they create suction.
Bucket Bong
A bucket bong is made out of two containers, with the larger, open top container filled with water. The smaller has an attached bowl and open bottom, and the smaller is placed into the larger.
To make a bucket bong, you will need:
- A plastic bottle (about 2 litres)
- A large bucket or other container
- A metal socket or bowl
- An aerator screen
- A lighter or match
- Your favorite herb or tobacco
Follow these steps to make a bucket bong:
- Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle.
- Make a small hole in the center of the bottle’s cap and thread the metal socket through it.
- Place the aerator screen inside the socket and pack it with your herb or tobacco.
- Fill the bucket or container with water until it is almost full.
- Screw the cap with the socket onto the bottle and submerge it in the water until only the cap is above the surface.
- Light your herb or tobacco and slowly lift the bottle out of the water until it is almost out.
- Unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle’s opening while pushing it back down into the water.
Waterfall Bong
A waterfall bong is made up of only one container. The container must have a bowl and a small hole near the base so the water can drain easily. As the water flows out of the container, air is forced through the bowl and causes the herb to burn and accumulate smoke in the bong.
To make a waterfall bong, you will need:
- A plastic bottle (about 1 litre)
- A metal socket or bowl
- An aerator screen
- A lighter or match
- Your favorite herb or tobacco
Follow these steps to make a waterfall bong:
- Make a small hole near the bottom of the plastic bottle and cover it with your finger.
- Make another hole in the center of the bottle’s cap and thread the metal socket through it.
- Place the aerator screen inside the socket and pack it with your herb or tobacco.
- Fill the bottle with water while keeping your finger over the hole at the bottom.
- Screw the cap with the socket onto the bottle and hold it over a sink or a bowl.
- Light your herb or tobacco and remove your finger from the hole to let the water drain out.
- As the water drains, smoke will fill the bottle. When the bottle is empty, unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle’s opening.
Are Gravity Bongs Safe?
Gravity bongs are a fun and easy way to enjoy your herb or tobacco, but they are not without risks. Here are some of the potential dangers of using gravity bongs:
- Inhaling combustible materials from a plastic smoking device may be hazardous to your health. Plastic can release chemicals when heated, which can be harmful to your lungs and throat. To avoid this, use glass bottles or metal sockets instead of plastic ones.
- Gravity bongs can deliver a very potent hit of THC, which can cause paranoia, anxiety, or panic attacks in some users. If you are not used to high doses of THC, start with a small amount of herb or tobacco and see how you feel before taking another hit.
- Gravity bongs can also cause coughing, nausea, or dizziness in some users, especially if they inhale too much smoke at once. To prevent this, take slow and shallow breaths and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Gravity bongs are not for everyone, but they can be a fun and creative way to enjoy your herb or tobacco. If you decide to try them, make sure you do it safely and responsibly. And remember, always use them in moderation and never drive or operate heavy machinery after using them.
