A bong, also known as billy or beug, is a type of pipe used to smoke cannabis. It’s been around for a very long time, there’s nothing new in owning one. It started as a bamboo tube and nowadays it looks a bit different. Its function, however, remains the same, to help you enjoy and relax anytime you need it.
How to Choose Your Bong?
Materials
A lot of marijuana smokers have trouble finding the right bong material. They all have different properties and pros and cons. Glass is the most versatile. It’s one of the favourites because it gives the smoker the cleanest and purest taste during a smoke. Almost all high-quality, versatile glass bongs are made of borosilicate glass.
Manufacturers choose this one because it’s thermally shock-resistant and can handle large temperature variations. This is the main thing that makes it very durable. Because of its versatility, these bongs can have ash catchers, multi-water chambers, percolators, down stems and a splash guard. Its only disadvantage is that it can break easily.
If you want something cheaper, invest in an acrylic bong. It’s available in many different colours and designs plus, and it’s almost indestructible. Even if you drop it, there’s a very small chance it will break. However, this material doesn’t allow for many attachments and accessories. It’s basically plastic and hard to work with.
You can also go for a ceramic bong. This one is very durable and reliable. One of its biggest advantages is the neutral taste you get. Some people consider it to be a collectible piece of gear because it’s been around for more than 100 years. Ceramic bongs don’t have small parts which is why they’re not so prone to breaking and damage. Ceramic is also good as it does not get heated up and is great with temperature fluctuations.
Another material you can choose from is silicone. These bongs are becoming more and more popular because they’re easily customisable, cheap, have good performance and are durable. They’re also very simple and easy to clean and maintain because you can put them in a dishwasher. Silicone is malleable and soft which makes it perfect for travelling. It won’t melt or fall apart when the temperatures get high.
Size
Bongs’ sizes can vary as well. We all have different preferences because not every size will fit our lifestyle. If you’re always on the go you’ll need something small and compact. If you’re at home a lot, you might want to have a large bong. In general, there are three different sizes to choose from, small, medium and large.
Small bongs are great if you want something portable. Besides being cute and fun to use, they’re also lightweight. People who are looking for something discrete should go for small bongs. However, they also have their downsides. They have less airflow and give you some harsh hits. There isn’t a lot of airflow and circulation and the smoke is not properly filtered.
Medium bongs are great for everyday use at home. They’re very common and have the benefits of both small and large bongs. They’re around 25-35cm in height which also makes them travel-friendly. Large bongs are for home use only. They’re for experienced smokers because of their size and capacity. They also have perfect airflow and smoke filtration.
Filtration Features
The smoke is filtered in the water chamber of the bong. The water clears out the smoke from ash, tar and plant materials before you inhale it. That’s why glass bongs are considered to be a healthier alternative for smoking than the regular dry pipe or paper. One thing that increases the filtration power is the percolator.
A stronger percolator means more filtration and vice versa. Almost every bong comes with a diffused down stem. Besides the filtration, a bigger percolator will also cool down the smoke more than a smaller one. There are several different types of percolators such as showerheads, circ, donuts, multi-chamber, Matrix, UFO etc.
Cooling
Cooling features are a must if you want to have a gentle and smooth smoking experience. Your lungs won’t get irritated by hot smoke. There are several coolants you can try. The first one is the ice pinch bongs. They have small glass notches in the bong’s neck that are made for you to put ice cubes. As the hot smoke passes through the ice cubes it gets cooled down and ready to be inhaled.
The second type is the frozen glycerine coils. The smoke passes through the frozen coils and cools down. This brings you a cough-free smoking experience. The third option is recyclers. They make the smoke circulate through the water several times before reaching your lungs, taking off the heat and giving you a nice cool feel.
Bowl Size
The bowl’s size is also important. A small glass bong bowl is perfect for small, mild hits. Keep in mind that you can add only a small amount of cannabis at once. Larger bowls give you more space for cannabis and are great for large bong rips. Choosing which one you buy depends on your personal preferences and needs.
Accessories You Need
To complement the whole smoking experience and make it better, you can buy several accessories. They’re not an expensive investment but one worth making. Ash catchers are great filtration systems. They’re there to catch the ash and other particles and prevent them from getting inside your system.
An adjustable downstem is for controlling where the water diffusion takes place. You can control how much water you’ll work with within the chamber. You can also get bong plugs. They’re an accessory that will help you with cleaning the bong. They’re universal and can fit any bong size.
How to Clean and Maintain the Bong?
Every once in a while, you’ll have to clean your bong because it will have an unpleasant odour, and some resin buildup and the water will be discoloured. In case you notice mould, a slimy film or some white fuzz, it’s time to throw out the bong. Using it is hazardous for your health.
Cleaning the bong is not complicated if you do it regularly. You can clean and rinse it with hot water after every use. Buy a bong cleaner to remove any buildup or bacteria. Soak it in water for a few hours rinse it again with hot water and dry it out with a clean cloth.
