Bongs, also known as water pipes or water bongs, are popular devices for smoking flowers, tobacco, or other dry herbs. There are various smoking tools available, such as bongs, hand pipes, and joints, each offering its own unique experience and advantage. However, if you’re health-conscious and worried about impurities in your smoke, a bong is an excellent choice. it uses water to filter out more particulates and tar and to cool the smoke, resulting in a cleaner, smoother, and less harsh smoking experience for your lungs and throat.
MAIN PARTS OF A GLASS BONG
TYPES OF BONGS
GLASS THICKNESS
DETACHABLE vs. ONE-PIECE BONGS
GlASS BONG CLEANING
7 TOP FAQ
Water bongs are usually made from materials like glass, ceramic, or silicone. Glass water pipes are a favorite because they deliver smooth hits, look great, are easy to clean, and provide a pure taste. Made from durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass, they’re often the go-to for quality pieces.
Along with the essential parts, some bongs come with extra features to level up your smoking experience:
· Percolator/perc: Percs add an extra layer of filtration, cooling the smoke and making your hits smoother and cleaner.
· Splash Guard: Keeps water from splashing up into your mouth when you inhale.
· Ice Catcher: Lets you drop in ice cubes to chill the smoke even more, cutting down on throat irritation. Ice catchers come in various styles, like 3-pinch, round holes, etc. They also help keep water from splashing up while you smoke.
Let’s talk about the joint—The joint is where bong parts connect, and the number of joints depends on how many removable pieces there are. It is one of the most important parts of a bong, especially when you’re buying separate accessories. Joint compatibility is key.
Joint Gender: Glass bongs come in various styles, including straight tube bongs, beaker bongs, percolator bongs, glycerin bongs, and dab rigs. The classification can vary depending on what features are considered. For example, a bong with a straight base and a percolator might be called both a straight tube bong and a percolator bong (often just called a perc bong).
Each type of bong has its own unique features, which we’ll cover in detail under their respective categories. You can click the words to jump straight to the information you’re interested in.
The thickness of the glass in water pipes directly impacts the quality, durability, and weight of the bong. Most common glass bongs on the market are typically 5mm thick, which is sufficient for most users. If you’re concerned about breakage, you might want to consider thicker options, like 7mm or 9mm. At Phoenix Star, we offer a variety of thicknesses to suit your needs.
Detachable Bongs: These bongs consist of multiple parts connected by joints, making them easier to clean. You can mix and match different components like the downstem or bowl, allowing for customization and upgrades to suit your preferences. If a part gets lost or broken, you can usually replace just that specific piece without needing to buy a whole new bong.
One-Piece Bongs: With a simple, all-in-one design and no removable parts, one-piece bongs are straightforward to use and put together. They tend to feel sturdier and more stable during use. Plus, with fewer parts to worry about, there’s less risk of mismatched components affecting performance.
Regular cleaning helps prevent clogs, keeps your bong working smoothly, and ensures a cleaner, more enjoyable smoking experience. So, how do you clean a glass bong? Here's a step by step guide:
Materials Needed:
Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher)
Coarse salt (like sea salt or Epsom salt)
Plastic bags or stoppers
Pipe cleaners or cotton swabs
Warm water
A great way to deep clean your bong is to use 98% isopropyl alcohol (ISO). Just fill up all sections of the bong with it, let it soak for a bit, then shake it up. The alcohol will dissolve most of the resin and grime. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner to speed up the process, as the suction could damage the glass.
While CLR is awesome for getting rid of tough stains like rust and mineral deposits, it's not ideal for cleaning a bong. CLR contains strong chemicals that may leave harmful residues, even after a good rinse. It’s safer to stick with ISO and salt, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. If you want to keep things looking fresh, consider dedicated bong cleaning solutions designed for this purpose.
Ideally after every session, but at least once a week. You’ll notice a difference in taste and how smooth the hits are when your bong’s clean. If you want to cut down on how often you clean your glass bong, I recommend getting an ash catcher. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!
Just enough to cover the slits or holes in the downstem. Too much water, and it messes with the airflow. Not enough, and you’re not filtering the smoke properly.
Glass just gives you a cleaner hit. Plus, you can see the smoke build-up. Silicone’s great for travel or if you’re clumsy, but glass has that premium feel and taste.
If you're using concentrates, go for a dab rig. For dry herbs, start with a 12-14 inch beaker or straight tube bong, ideally around 5mm thick—it's durable without being too heavy. And don’t overlook percolators; they cool the smoke for a smoother hit!
The size of a bong can influence various aspects of your experience, like smoke capacity, drag (the pull resistance), and ease of cleaning and storage. Taller bongs can hold more smoke, but they usually require more effort to pull a hit. If you’re new to bongs, a 10-12 inch (about 25-30 cm) straight tube bong is a great starting point—it’s manageable and perfect for everyday use.
You don’t need one, but it definitely helps. Percs add extra filtration and cool the smoke down even more. If you like super smooth hits, it’s worth getting a bong with one.
Not essential, but it’s a great upgrade. A vaporizer already gives you cleaner, cooler vapor with adjustable temperature settings for precise control over your hit. Adding a bong enhances this by providing extra cooling and filtration, which makes the hits even smoother and reduces the harshness
If you find that the joint on your glass bong is stuck, here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:
Warm Water: Submerge the stuck joint in warm (not hot) water for a few minutes. This can help expand the glass slightly, making it easier to separate.
Hair Dryer: Use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to warm the joint area. Be careful not to overheat the glass
Ice Pack: Place an ice pack or ice cubes around the joint. The cold can cause the glass to contract slightly, which might help loosen the joint.
Lubricant: Apply a small amount of food-grade lubricant, such as olive oil, around the joint. This can help reduce friction and make it easier to pull apart.
Rotate Slowly: Try gently twisting the joint while pulling it apart. This can help break the friction that’s causing it to stick.
Place the bong upside down on a grass yard to protect it from direct impacts. Use a wooden spoon to lightly tap the base of the bong. The vibrations and gentle impact can help loosen the stuck joint. Be cautious and watch your feet when things fall out.
If none of the above methods work, consider seeking help from a professional glass repair shop or a specialty store.
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