Every New Smoker Should Know About Bongs

Starting something new can be exciting and a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to smoking. You might feel curious but unsure about where to begin or how to do it right. Maybe you’ve been invited to join friends, or you’ve decided to explore it on your own. Either way, it’s normal to have questions.

If you're new to smoking cannabis or tobacco, you might have questions: What is a bong, how does it work, and why does everyone rave about it? Bongs are a staple in the smoking scene for a good reason. If you're chasing cleaner hits and a chill experience, you’ll probably want a few good glass bongs in your rotation.

What is a Bong? 

When you’re looking to smoke cannabis or tobacco, you typically have three smoking methods to choose from: use a regular pipe, roll a joint, or take rips from a bong. Of the three, many prefer to use the bong because it offers the smoothest smoking experience.

So, what is the point of a bong? Bongs are smoking paraphernalia that cool and filter the tobacco or cannabis smoke before it reaches your lungs. This makes smoking weed and other dry herbs much easier.

The glass bong’s basic structure includes a bowl and a chamber filled with water. As the smoke passes through the water, it filters out ash and unwanted particles that can cause adverse health effects, resulting in cleaner, cooler hits that are less likely to leave you coughing.

This water filtration system is what makes bongs a favourite choice among smokers, especially for those who want to enjoy their sessions without the harshness that comes with other methods.

What is the Purpose of a Bong? 

You may be wondering what is a bong for if you can simply smoke your weed as a joint or in a simple pipe. A bong or “water pipe”, offers benefits that a regular pipe or joint simply can’t match. Here are some reasons why having a bong is a must:

1. Cleaner, Smoother Smoke

Bongs use water to filter smoke in their chamber before you breathe it in. This water filtration helps remove tiny particles and makes the smoke smoother and less harsh on your throat and lungs. If you've ever had a coughing fit while smoking, you'll notice how much easier it is with a bong.

The water also helps cool the smoke, which makes it more comfortable to inhale. Plus, this filtering process can trap many harmful substances, reducing the amount of toxins that reach your lungs. While not completely safe, it’s healthier than unfiltered methods, offering cleaner smoke for a better, more enjoyable experience.

2. Cooler Rips

Using water in a glass bong helps cool the smoke as it moves through the water. This cooling makes the smoke much smoother and gentler on your throat and lungs, reducing the burning sensation often caused by other smoking methods. The water also filters out some of the impurities and ash, giving you cleaner smoke. 

Cooler, cleaner smoke is easier to inhale, making your smoking experience more comfortable, enjoyable, and less harsh overall. This is one of the reasons why glass bongs are a popular choice for both beginners and experienced smokers.

3. Bigger, More Flavorful Hits

Bongs are great because they hold more smoke than regular pipes, thanks to their larger size. When you let the chamber fill up with smoke, you can take in a much bigger hit all at once. Bigger hits mean you’ll taste more flavor from your herb or tobacco, making the experience more enjoyable. 

Plus, the water in the bong helps cool down the smoke, so it feels smoother and less harsh on your throat. This makes bongs a popular choice for people who want a strong, flavorful, and comfortable smoking experience.

4. Allows for Sharing

Water pipes are perfect for group smoking because they are easy to pass around. This makes them great for social times with friends, letting everyone take turns and enjoy the session together. 

They are designed to be comfortable and easy to use, so everyone can have fun without any trouble. Sharing a water pipe can also make the experience more relaxing and enjoyable, creating a friendly and fun atmosphere for bonding, talking, and having a good time.

5. Variety and Customisation

Bongs come in all shapes and sizes. You can choose the one that fits all of your needs. If you want a mini bong that is portable, glass bongs that are easy to clean, or a larger piece for sharing, there’s a perfect bong out there for you.

You can also add accessories to your water pipe to give it the functionality that you crave. Want better filtration? Add a percolator. Can’t stand the burn of each toke? Enhance your rig with a catcher for ice cubes. The possibilities are mind-boggling.

What are the Components of a Bong? 

If you're new to bongs, knowing their parts can make using them much easier. Each part has a specific job to help create a smooth smoking experience. Let’s break down the main components and what they do.

•       Bowl: Also known as the cone piece, this is where you pack your herb or tobacco. It holds the material you’ll light during your session. Most bowls for bongs are removable for easy cleaning.
•       Downstem: This is the straight tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. As you inhale, smoke passes through this part, allowing the hot smoke to be pulled through the water. Some are simple tubes while others have slits meant for diffusing smoke for better filtration.
•       Water Chamber: This is the heart of the bong. It holds the water that cleans and cools the smoke during the filtration process. The chamber’s water traps ash, particulates, and some toxins to give you a cleaner and smoother smoking experience with every inhale.
•       Neck: This is the part of the bong that connects the water chamber to the mouthpiece. It’s where you can add cool accessories like a splash guard, or an ice catcher to hold ice cubes. A good neck can really improve your bong experience by giving the smoke a longer path to travel before it hits your lungs.
•       Mouthpiece: The part of the bong where you inhale the smoke. A good mouthpiece helps create a tight seal, making sure your smoke flows easily without any hassle.

Besides the main parts, some cool accessories can really improve your bong’s performance. They aren’t essential, but they can fine-tune your water pipes for a more tailored experience.

•       Ash Catcher: This is an attachment that catches ash before it enters the bong’s main chamber. It keeps your water and bong clean so you don't have to clean it too often.
•       Percolator: This is a filtration device inside the bong that breaks up smoke into smaller bubbles. It gives you smoother hits by cooling and filtering the smoke even more.
•       Carb Hole: This is a small hole on the side of some bongs that helps control airflow. Using it lets you clear the chamber faster and get bigger hits.

How Does a Bong Work? 

A bong uses water to filter and cool the smoke. When you take a hit, the smoke travels from the bowl through the downstem, into the water chamber. The water traps heavier particles and cools the smoke before it enters your lungs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how it all works:

• Packing the Bowl: Every smoking session starts with packing the bowl with your favourite herb or tobacco.
• Lighting the Bowl: Once you ignite cannabis or tobacco, the smoke is drawn down through the downstem into the water.
• Filtering Through Water: As the smoke passes through the bong’s water chamber, it gets filtered, trapping ash and other small particles.
• Inhale Smooth Smoke: The remaining smoke rises into the neck of the bong, waiting for you to inhale it through the mouthpiece.

How Beginners Can Get the Best from Their Bong?

Now that you understand how a bong works, here are some tips to help you get the best experience when using a bong as a new smoker:

Mindful Smoking Leads to a Better Experience

Instead of rushing into smoking without knowing it, taking the time to learn the basics can lead to a much better experience. Like any new habit, there’s a balance to find—enjoying the moment while being mindful of the choices you make. 

Just as in life, knowing when to slow down and think ahead can make all the difference. True enjoyment comes not just from the act itself, but from knowing and respecting the process. Smoking, like everything else, is best when done with care and intention. 

New to smoking? Learn the basics and see how our high-quality glass bongs can make your experience smoother, easier, and more enjoyable. Shop now to get a bong that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced smokers!