There’s nothing better for a smoke sesh than a bong. While some other methods of smoking weed are relatively new, for millennia bongs have been used around the world for hitting all kinds of herb.
A bong is a type of water pipe mostly used to cool down marijuana smoke, along with other dry herbs. Bongs are meant to cool down smoke by filtering it through water to provide a smooth hit, allowing users to take large, direct hits.
Up until relatively recently, most bongs were glass or ceramic pieces. Lately, with a larger push for cannabis legalization, bong design now goes from high-end glass designer pieces, to affordable modern silicone options.
Let’s take a look at why the classic bong is a stoner favourite!
What is a Bong?
Bongs, also known as bubblers, billys, or water pipes have been around since the ancient Egyptian era (or potentially even longer) and offer a very popular way to smoke cannabis with water filtration. Bongs come in an array of different shapes, sizes, and styles and are a preferred smoking device for many herb connoisseurs and tokers around the world.
In its simplest form, a bong is designed to filter smoke through a water chamber for a smoother, more enhanced smoking experience. It can get much more complicated than this, but keep in mind there's a wide selection of bongs for beginners and for more experienced smokers to choose from.
From simple glass beaker base bongs to more technical bongs that feature recycling tubes, ice notches, and percolators for added cleaning, cooling, and filtration, we stock them all!
We also offer a wide selection of high-end and more affordable bongs in a range of materials including borosilicate glass, bamboo, silicone, acrylic, ceramic, and aluminum. Snag a visual masterpiece by an artisanal glassblower, or a reliable daily driver from popular brands like Famous Design and Glasscity.
How does a Bong work?
Like most standard hand pipes, bongs work by igniting the loaded herb bowl and inhaling through the mouthpiece. As you inhale, the smoke travels from the bowl, and through the submerged removable diffused downstem. As it reaches the bottom of the downstem, the suction causes the smoke to bubble and percolate through the water-filled base. This process adds important cleaning and filtration to the smoke before it enters your lungs.
We understand that using a bong isn't always easy, so we've explained how to hit a bong.
If you’re slightly skeptical about the efficacy of water filtration, just take a look at your bong water after a session to see all the unwanted dirt and residue that has been filtered out of your hits. This should reassure you why water filtration is a crucial part of bong smoking.
Some special types of bongs, such as gravity bongs or complex percolator bongs may be more advanced to use or clean - for beginners, a simple straight tube or beaker bong may be the way to go.
How to use a Bong
Bongs consist of a bowl, a carb, a downstem, a base, and a tube.
First, you have to put water in the bong's base or water chamber. Then, you load your tobacco or herbs into the bowl. Now you’re ready to light up the bowl and start inhaling the smoke through the mouthpiece.
The smoke will be filtered as it's pulled through the water, resulting in a tasty, smooth hit.
Bongs can be used with any kind of herb, including those containing THC or CBD. The mechanics of smoking THC or CBD cannabis are the same - only the experience afterwards varies!