A glass bong is a device that is used to smoke herb or tobacco by filtering and cooling the smoke through water. Bongs come in various shapes, sizes, colors and materials, but they all share some common features that make them work. In this blog post, we will explain how a glass bong works and what are the main parts and functions of it.
The Main Parts of a Glass Bong
A glass bong consists of several parts that work together to deliver a smooth and satisfying smoking experience. The parts and their functions are as follows:
- Bong bowl: This is where the smoke starts. The bong bowl is either a metal or glass attachment where you pack your ground herb or tobacco. The bowl usually has a hole at the bottom that allows the smoke to travel through the downstem. Some bowls have built-in screens to prevent ash and herb particles from getting into the bong. Some bowls are also removable, creating their own carb hole.
- Downstem: This is where the smoke gets filtered first. The downstem is a tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. It submerges into the water and allows the smoke to bubble through it, cooling and filtering it along the way. Some downstems have slits or holes at the end to create more diffusion. Some bongs have fixed stems that are not removable.
- Water chamber: This is where the smoke gets filtered and cooled secondarily. The water chamber is the base of the bong that holds water. As the smoke passes through the water, it gets further cooled and filtered, removing tar, toxins and other impurities. The water also helps to moisturize the smoke, making it less harsh on your throat and lungs.
- Percolator (optional): This is where the smoke gets filtered and cooled even more. A percolator is an additional chamber or device inside the bong that creates more bubbles and surface area for the smoke to interact with water. There are many types of percolators, such as honeycomb, tree, showerhead, turbine, etc., each with their own design and function. Percolators enhance the filtration and cooling of the smoke, resulting in smoother and cleaner hits.
- Ice chamber (optional): This is where the smoke gets cooled to the max. An ice chamber is a section of the bong’s neck that has notches or indentations to hold ice cubes. As the smoke travels through the ice chamber, it gets chilled by the ice, making it even cooler and smoother.
- Splash guard: This is where you avoid getting water in your mouth. A splash guard is a dome-shaped or slanted piece of glass that prevents water from splashing up into your mouth when you inhale. It also helps to keep your lips dry and clean.
- Neck: This is where you inhale from. The neck is the long tube that extends from the water chamber to the mouthpiece. It carries the smoke from the water to your mouth.
- Mouthpiece: This is where you enjoy your hit. The mouthpiece is the opening at the end of the neck where you place your lips and inhale. It should be comfortable and fit your mouth well.
How Does a Glass Bong Work?
Now that you know what are the main parts of a glass bong, let’s see how they work together to produce a satisfying smoking experience.
- The first step is to fill your bong with water until it covers about an inch of the downstem
