What is a bong?

The bong is one of the most popular devices for smoking herbs. It's a water pipe that allows you to smoke pure herb and filter the smoke through water. A bong also cools down the smoke. There are also special ice bongs available for those who want their smoke extra cool.

Bongs come in all shapes and sizes, with many different structures and creative approaches to smoking herbs. Additionally, bongs are available in almost all materials, from wood and metal to plastic. Glass bongs are still the most popular. The size of the bong (and the bowl) determines the size of the hit you can take with the water pipe. This is probably the most important factor when choosing your water pipe.

Glass

There are three primary materials most water pipes are made from: glass, silicone, or acrylic (also ceramic and metal). All of these materials have their pros and cons, so choosing the right material for you is a defining part of your smoking experience. Price and durability may be the most important factors when choosing a material. 

Acrylic (plastic) water pipes are lightweight, durable, easy to transport, and hard to break. Additionally, these bongs are relatively inexpensive. If you are not looking for a water pipe for the long term, a water pipe that will last you the rest of your life, then this is probably the perfect option. 

Glass water pipes are considered fragile, so they are best used at home or with friends you trust. They can be a long-term solution, but they are also more expensive. If you're looking for a durable glass water pipe, you can even find special ones made of borosilicate glass. You can even drop those bongs a few times by accident.

Another fairly new player in the market is silicone. Hookahs made from silicone are probably the most durable, cost-effective option in today's market. They are also the most portable option of all. So if you're not looking for a hookah that has unique smoking features and upgrades, but just a simple, not too expensive hookah, check out silicone hookahs! 

Ceramic bongs are usually known for their unique shapes and sizes. If you are looking for the most creative design and want your bong to be not only for smoking your herb but also as a room decoration, check out some ceramic options. Depending on their unique design, they can sometimes be difficult to clean, and even though they are more durable compared to glass, they can still break easily if you drop them properly.

We have discussed metal before, but it is not a common option in the market. Furthermore, metal hookahs have a distinct taste during use, so we only recommend buying a metal hookah if the design appeals to you.

To summarize:

Acrylic - cheapest, not high quality but perfect for beginners

Ceramics - Interesting Shapes

Silicone – can be ugly, but it's the most durable and also easy to clean.

Glass – high quality, worth the investment if you take good care of it

Metal – not common and not the best smoking experience

Do you need to clean a bong?

Yes, but not after every use. You should replace your screens after a few uses (because they get dirty and the herbs burn less evenly). Every smoker will always clean their bongs with special brushes and soaps when they get dirty. This ensures a fresh smoking experience.

What is a bong hit?

A bong hit refers to the actual act of smoking a bong.

What is a smoke bowl?

When talking about smoking cannabis, a smoke bowl usually refers to the part used to hold the cannabis (or tobacco). The smoke bowl marks the spot where you place your weed before lighting it and inhaling the smoke.

What size bong should I choose?

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing your first bong. It can be extremely difficult to figure out what's best for you with such a large selection on the market. Start with the size!

Size does matter, even though in some areas of life we are inclined to be polite and pretend it doesn't. Too small can be a problem, but too large can be an even greater problem if you think about it. The same truths apply to water pipes.

Smaller bongs

Small water pipes tend to have a smaller chamber (the place where the smoke accumulates), so the hits you take will be hotter to inhale. However, small bongs are more discreet and portable. If that is what you are looking for, then look for smaller bongs.

Bigger bongs

Larger water pipes will give you a more pleasant smoking experience. It's also common for them to have a larger bowl (where you put the herb). This makes them great for smoking with others, and they generally look a bit cooler too! The only downside is that a large water pipe typically produces more smoke. If you're not a heavy smoker, a water pipe that's too large can therefore cause a bit too much smoke, and if you're generally sensitive to herbs, a larger water pipe can sometimes be overwhelming.

When choosing the size of a bong, we therefore recommend going for an average size, especially as a beginner. Bongs between 20-35 cm are ideal and they combine the best of both small and large bongs. That means you will definitely be satisfied if you decide to get one.

Is smoking from a bong different from smoking a joint?

Many cannabis enthusiasts agree that a simple bong is the least wasteful and healthiest way to smoke your herbs (before vaporizers were invented!). Moreover, you don't need to add tobacco to your herb mix, making smoking a bong a cleaner and purer smoking experience.

Smoking a joint is a simpler way to consume cannabis, especially when you are outdoors. Furthermore, it is a more discreet way to smoke cannabis in a public setting. Bongs waste less of your herbs and make it easier to inhale enough.

Finally, in a way, a bong gets you high in a different manner. While smoking a joint is more common for gradually getting high, a bong hit can feel more like a real kick.

What is dabbing?

Dabbing is the vaporization of concentrated marijuana products, usually in the form of wax, resin, or oil. This results in an extremely strong high, and there are multiple dabbing techniques, but most involve heating the concentrate on the nail and then inhaling it through a water rig.

To practice this method, you need a special setup. Some water pipes can be converted with a handy attachment. You also need a torch because the heat required for dabbing is much higher than with other smoking techniques. You might also need a nail, basically titanium, quartz, or a glass surface that you heat up before placing the substance on it. And the last item on the list is a dabber, usually a ceramic or metal tool used to place the concentrate onto the heated nail. 

And of course you need resin (concentrate) that you will smoke.