
How To Use A Bong: A Step By Step Guide
The most popular way to consume dry herbs is using a bong. Compared to other smoking methods, bongs allow you to use a little bit of herbs while still getting a huge hit, provided you know how to use a bong properly. Bongs also utilize water to help filter your smoke for a more comfortable smoking experience. With so many different bongs on the market today it can be tough to learn the best way to use a bong, but here at Toker Supply, we have you covered and will teach you everything you need to know.
Before you can learn the best way to use a bong, you need to learn all the different options and the differences and how they impact your smoking experience. Bongs vary from simple glass tubes to ones with numerous chambers or percolators that increase performance and functionality.
Learn The Parts Of A Bong
Before getting into how to use a bong its important to know what each part of a bong does. Not all bongs are created equal but ultimately they all work the same and achieve the same purpose.
- Mouthpiece: This is the top opening on the water pipe where you put your mouth to inhale while lighting the bong. Depending on the size of the mouthpiece you may put your lips inside or around the bong mouthpiece. Its important to create a tight seal with your mouth and the mouthpiece to ensure the best smoking experience.
- Bowl Piece: The bowl pieces or slide is the small bowl shaped piece that holds your dry herbs. This is where you pack your herbs and light when you are ready to inhale. It’s important to make sure you clean this regularly so it doesn’t get clogged and restrict airflow when you’re smoking.
- Chamber: The water chamber on the bong is what makes it a bong and sets it apart from other traditional smoking pipes that don’t use water. Ensuring the chamber is filled correctly allows for optimal airflow and collection of all the smoke. Bongs can either have a straight tube chamber or beaker chamber. If you prefer more water you should try a beaker bong.
- Downstem or Perc: Classic simple bongs contains a downstem that connects your bowl piece to the bong and forces your smoke through the water when you smoke. However some more advances bongs have percolators that act the same way with just a different design.
Steps To UseYour Bong or Water Pipe
Step 1: Fill Your Bong With The Correct Amount Of Water
The first thing you need to do is add water to your bong. It’s important to get the proper water level so that all the percs function correctly and you do not get any water in your mouth when inhaling. A general rule of thumb is to fill the bong just above the main perc or downstem. If you add too much water you may get water in your mouth and if you add too little your piece will not work correctly. To ensure you have the correct water level you can pull from your bong before adding any dry herbs to make sure all the percolators are working and no water is getting near your mouth. Ensure you add water into all the required chambers so the bong functions properly. Proper water levels also ensure that fresh air can flow through the bong, pushing the smoke into your lungs effectively.
Step 2: Add Ice To Your Bong If You Want
Not all water pipes can accept ice cubes but your bong does we highly recommend adding them. Adding ice to your bong helps to cool down the smoke which makes it more pleasant to inhale. If you do add ice be sure to keep track of the water level as the ice will melt and you may need to dump out some water in between sessions. Some bongs have ice catchers built in that stop the ice cubes from going down to far in the bong. While they do help they are not entirely necessary to add ice to a bong. It really depends on your specific type of bong if you can add ice or not, you be the judge. Ice is absolutely not need to use a bong.
Step 3: Grind Up Your Weed
Grinding your weed is an essential step in preparing for a smooth and enjoyable bong smoking experience. To achieve this, you’ll need a grinder, which can be either manual or electric. A grinder helps break down the buds into finely ground cannabis, ensuring an even and efficient burn.
When grinding your weed, aim for a consistency similar to coffee grounds. This allows for good airflow through the bowl without the weed falling through the holes. Be cautious not to grind it too finely, as this can lead to a harsher smoke, while grinding it too coarsely can result in a less efficient burn. Experiment with different grind consistencies to find what works best for you and enhances your bong smoking experience.
Step 4: Take A Practice Hit
Before adding your herbs to the bowl it's important to take a practice hit to make sure you have the proper water level and all your percs are functioning correct. If you are getting water in your mouth, dump a little out until you don't. Once you are happy with the amount of water and how the bong is hitting you're ready to move to the next step.
Step 5: Pack Your Bowl Piece
Now it’s time to add your dry herbs into your bongs bowl piece. To prevent your bowl from getting clogged and to ensure you get the most from your herbs we recommend using a grinder to grind up your herbs into small even pieces. It’s important not to over pack the bowl or you won’t get the proper airflow required to burn all your herbs evenly. Bongs pack a big punch so if you’re a first-time smoker it’s best to start with a little bit of herbs and you can always smoke more! Always ensure your bowl piece is clean of debris before adding new herbs. This will prevent it from clogging and make the experience much smoother.
Step 6: Light Up & Take A Hit
You’re all ready to smoke! Now grab your lighter or hemp wick and light your bowl of dry herbs while pulling from your mouthpiece and watch your bong fill up with smoke. Once the bong is filled with smoke remove the bowl piece to inhale all the remaining smoke. If one bowl pack is not enough for you, its time to back another bowl and repeat! Be sure you are holding the bong securely in one hand and lighting the bowl with another. For those new to smoking bongs, taking smaller hits can help you get accustomed to the experience.
If the water pipe you are using is really big or heavy you can even sit it on a table and stand over the bong so you don’t risk dropping it or knocking it over. Some smokers like to sit back and rest the bong on their stomach for stability.
Step 7: Exhale Don't Hold In Smoke
There is a common myth amongst many smokers that holding the smoke in your lungs longer some how makes it more potent. However from our own personal experience this does nothing but irritate your lungs more than needed. So we recommend you exhale right away after a full deep inhale, there's no reason to hold it in for a long time.
That's it! That is the easiest step by step way to use a hit a bong.
Bong Smoking Etiquette
If you are smoking by yourself then by all means smoke however you want. However, if you are smoking with friends there's a few things to keep in mind so everyone has the best smoking experience.
Clear All Smoke From The Bong Before Passing
If you leave smoke in your bong for too long it will go stale and lose its potency and flavor. In fact stale bong smoke is pretty nasty, so be sure to clear the entire bong of smoke before passing it to a friend. If you can't finish it yourself hand it off to a friend to finish quickly while it's still fresh.
Don't Spit Over The Bong Mouthpiece
While inevidebitly you are going to get some drool or saliva on the bong be sure you aren't drooling into the bong. This is just plain gross and not nice for the next person in the rotation. If for some reason this happens be sure to wipe it away with your shirt or a paper towel before passing it on.
Corner The Bowl
Everyone loves greens so be sure to share the wealth. Cornering the bowl is one of the most important things you can do when smoking with other people. It's very rude to smoke all the greens and then pass the next person nothing but ash. If you're not sure how to proper corner the bowl piece read our guide on how to corner a bowl.
Clean Out The Ash & Repack
If you were the last one to finish the bowl with nothing but ash left, be sure you clean it out and pack it fresh for the next person. If you don't clean our the ash your bowl piece will get clogged and eventually you won't get any airflow in your bong.
Change The Bong Water
Nobody likes smoking from dirty bong water. If you are the host and everyone is smoking out of your bong, be sure you add fresh clean water to the bong before the session. Nasty bong water makes even the tastiest herbs taste like ash and nobody wants that.
Bongs are the most popular way of smoking dry herbs and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, designs that will fit anyone’s style or budget. Bongs also allow you to conserve your dry herbs while getting the most out of them. It is important to keep your bong clean along with your bowl piece or downstem to ensure they work at optimal performance and you get a clean flavorful smoking experience. To find the perfect bong for you head over to our bong section to browse the largest selection of bongs for sale online.
Safety and Maintenance
Clean the bong regularly
Keeping your bong clean is crucial for a safe and enjoyable smoking experience. A dirty bong can harbor bacteria, mold, and other contaminants that can make you sick. Start by emptying the water chamber and rinsing it with warm water. Then, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for bongs, such as isopropyl alcohol and salt, to loosen and remove any resin and residue.
Make sure to clean all parts of the bong, including the bowl, downstem, and mouthpiece. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away any stubborn stains or buildup. Rinse the bong thoroughly with warm water and let it air dry.
Additionally, change the bong water regularly, ideally after every use. Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other contaminants, which can make you sick. To change the bong water, simply empty the water chamber and refill it with fresh water. This ensures a clean bong and a better-tasting smoking experience.
Health Risks and Considerations
Carcinogens and toxins
Smoking cannabis through a bong can expose you to carcinogens and toxins, which can increase your risk of developing certain health problems. Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer, while toxins are substances that can harm your body.
To minimize your exposure to these harmful substances, always use a clean bong and change the water regularly. Opt for a high-quality bong made from safe materials, such as borosilicate glass, to ensure a safer smoking experience.
It’s also important to inhale slowly and deeply to reduce the harshness on your lungs. Avoid taking large hits, especially if you’re not used to bong smoking. Additionally, if you’re sharing a bong with others, follow proper bong etiquette. Clean the bong regularly and use a new mouthpiece for each user to minimize the risk of transmitting diseases and other health problems. This way, you can enjoy smoking cannabis while taking care of your health.