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If you are new to smoking herbs or tobacco with a bong, you might be wondering how much water you need to put in it. The water level in your bong can make a big difference in the quality and smoothness of your smoke, as well as the ease of pulling it through the device. In this blog post, we will explain how to find the perfect water level for your bong, whether it has a simple downstem or multiple percolators.
Why Does the Water Level Matter?
The main purpose of using a bong is to filter and cool down the smoke before it reaches your lungs. The water in your bong acts as a natural filter that traps some of the tar, ash, and toxins from the smoke, making it less harsh and more flavorful. The water also cools down the smoke, which reduces the irritation and inflammation in your throat and lungs.
However, if you put too much or too little water in your bong, you will not get the optimal smoking experience. Too much water will make it harder to pull the smoke through the device, and you might end up getting some water in your mouth, which is not pleasant. Too little water will not filter or cool down the smoke enough, and you might end up coughing or feeling a burning sensation in your throat.
How Much Water to Put in a Bong with a Downstem?
A downstem is a tube that connects the bowl where you pack your herb or tobacco to the base of the bong where the water is. Some downstems have slits or holes at the bottom to diffuse the smoke into smaller bubbles, which increases the surface area and improves the filtration and cooling.
The general rule of thumb for finding the ideal water level for a bong with a downstem is to submerge the bottom of the downstem in about half an inch of water. If your downstem has slits or holes, make sure they are all covered by water. This way, you will ensure that all of the smoke passes through the water and gets filtered and cooled.
To fill your bong with water, you can either pour it through the mouthpiece or directly into the base through the downstem. You can use tap water, but some people prefer to use distilled or filtered water for a cleaner taste. You can also add ice cubes to your bong for extra cooling, but be careful not to overfill it as they melt.
How Much Water to Put in a Bong with Percolators?
A percolator is an additional chamber or device inside your bong that further diffuses and filters the smoke after it passes through the downstem. There are many types of percolators, such as honeycomb, matrix, showerhead, tree, etc., but they all work by creating more bubbles and increasing the contact between the smoke and the water.
If your bong has one or more percolators, you need to fill each chamber with enough water to cover all of the openings of each percolator. For example, if you have a honeycomb percolator, which is a flat disc with many small holes, you need to submerge the entire disc in water. This way, you will maximize the filtration and cooling of each percolator.
To fill your bong with multiple percolators with water, you need to pour it through the mouthpiece and let it trickle down to each chamber. You might need to tilt or shake your bong slightly to distribute the water evenly. Once the water settles, check if all of the percolators are properly submerged.
How to Clean Your Bong?
After using your bong for a while, you will notice that it gets dirty and smelly from the residue of your herb or tobacco. This can affect the taste and quality of your smoke, as well as pose health risks from bacteria and mold growth. Therefore, it is important to clean your bong regularly to keep it fresh and functional.
To clean your bong, you will need some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), coarse salt (kosher or sea salt), and some ziplock bags or containers. Here are the steps to follow:
- Empty your bong of any water and ash.
- Remove any detachable parts, such as the bowl and the downstem, and place them in separate ziplock bags or containers.
- Pour some rubbing alcohol and salt into each bag or container, enough to cover the parts. Seal them and shake them gently to dissolve the salt and loosen the residue.
- Pour some rubbing alcohol and salt into the base of your bong, enough to cover the bottom. Cover the mouthpiece and the joint with your hands or some plastic wrap and shake the bong gently to dissolve the salt and loosen the residue.
- Let the parts and the bong soak in the alcohol and salt solution for at least 15 minutes, or longer if they are very dirty.
- Rinse the parts and the bong with hot water until all of the alcohol, salt, and residue are gone. You might need to use a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach some hard-to-clean spots.
- Dry the parts and the bong with a paper towel or a cloth, and reassemble your bong.
Congratulations, you have a clean and shiny bong ready for your next session!
Conclusion
Now you know how much water to put in your bong, depending on its size and features. Remember, the ideal water level is just enough to submerge the downstem or percolators in about half an inch of water. This will ensure that you get smooth and filtered smoke every time. You also learned how to clean your bong with some simple household items, which will keep it fresh and functional for a long time. We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new. Happy smoking!
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