Top 7 Ways to Keep Your Bong Safe
It’s no secret that passionate smokers develop intense bonds with their chosen pieces. What may have began as a simple smoking tool can, over the years, quickly become one of your most treasured possessions! However, one fateful fall can bring your favorite pipe's life to a premature end.
We've come up with a few foolproof strategies to keep your piece intact for as long as you need it. Keep reading to learn about how you can keep your favorite piece, whether a bong, dab rig, bubbler, or glass bowl, from shattering..
1.Buy Scientific Glass That’s Designed for Durability
Not all bongs are equally durable. There are lots of low-quality bongs that simply won’t hold up the way that higher quality pieces will. This is especially risky for smokers who shop on sites that boast lower prices without the quality to back it up. That’s why purchasing a scientific glass bong is important for smokers who want their piece to last a long time.
Thicker Glass
Basically, scientific bongs have thicker glass that withstand clumsy falls better than other pieces. This might not be something shoppers normally consider, but it's important.
To put this into perspective: cheap bongs are normally built with glass that is 2-3mm thick. They can break after a fall of any distance. Higher-quality scientific bongs and bubblers are constructed with glass that is at least 4mm. Thanks to the additional glass, these bongs withstand damage from impact. There are even more durable scientific bongs built with glass as thick as 9mm, which can hold up after long falls.
Bongs With a Wide Base
Even if the thickness of the glass isn’t an issue, some top-heavy bongs can easily fall over. Purchasing a perc bong with a wider base is one easy way to keep this from ever happening. With a wider base, your water pipe will remain stable on flat surfaces like the coffee table, floor, and more.
Dewar’s Joint
The thickness of the bong is important, but without a sturdy connection between the bowl and body, your water pipe can still be vulnerable to damage. This piece is much less likely to crack when the connection is strengthened by a Dewar’s Joint, which bridges the bowl and the body of the piece.
2. Buy a Silicone Bong
If you’re worried about breaking your glass bong, then avoid buying glass altogether! Silicone bongs are a hot new trend that new and seasoned smokers have embraced. And, they’re completely damage-proof.
These silicone pieces allow smokers a lot of freedom without compromising the water pipe’s function. Thanks to the straight tube style, the water provides great filtration. Because they physically can’t break, silicone bongs are awesome for use while traveling. Many silicone bongs can even be folded up into a smaller size!
3. Clean Your Piece Carefully and Regularly
Whether you smoke once a week or once a month, cleaning your piece is a must. Smoking from a clean piece is much more enjoyable than smoking from a dirty, clogged piece. It’s also much healthier. Learn how to clean your piece here.
If you put off cleaning your piece, then you’ll have to work a lot harder when you eventually get around to it. When you shake your perc bong to get all the residue out, it’s easy to drop your bong or hit an object like the faucet. Also, using sharp tools to uproot super-sticky resin can crack the glass. To prevent cleaning mishaps and keep your piece safe, be sure to clean it carefully and regularly.
4. Empty the Water After Each Use
Filling up your water pipe to the right level before you smoke is a no-brainer. It’s the only way you’ll get that smooth, clean flavor that you’ve come to love. But, you should always be mindful of emptying the water after you’re done smoking.
Aside from the obvious benefits of not keeping dirty water in your perc bong, emptying your pipe water can actually prevent it from shattering. Admittedly, it’s not common, but the water’s temperature could decrease. This causes the water to expand. Too much expansion may shatter the glass. Therefore, emptying the bong water is a must for smokers who leave their pieces in cooler rooms, basements, and other cold areas.
5. Transport it Carefully
There’s nothing like the feeling of leaving work to grab your pipe, going to a friend’s house, and enjoying a relaxing smoke session. But if you’re not careful, then your glass bong may break along the way. That’s why a carrying case can make a huge difference.
If you’re planning to use a backpack, duffel bag or gym bag to bring your bong on a smokers' road trip, try cushioning it. Clothes, a towel, or bubble wrap can make all of the difference if you stop short while driving, or drop it. For smaller glass bowls or bubblers, a glasses case might do the trick.
6. Remove Your Bowl and Downstem Before Putting it Away
Leaving the water pipe out on the coffee table is a common move for daily smokers. It’s a stylish way to show off your piece, and keep it readily available. But, if you have clumsy friends, family, or pets around the house, then be sure to find a safe spot for it. Knocking into the coffee table while walking around the house could be your bong’s demise. When it’s stored somewhere else, you can rest assured that it won’t break!
Remembering to remove the bowl and downstem from your bong can save you from a huge hassle later on. Because they’re both glass (and likely a similar color), they can easily blend into your bong. However, moving your piece around with the bowl and downstem inside can cause them to collide, and potentially break. Even quickly grabbing your piece can cause the glass to break!
7. Puff, Puff, Pass (With Caution!)
Last but not least, always make sure your friends are handling your water pipe carefully, too!
Now, we’re not saying you shouldn’t let your friends smoke from your bong. That’s a staple of proper smoking etiquette. If you find yourself hosting a group smoking session or bringing your bong to meet some friends, just make sure your friends handle it with care. Pass it around carefully and with both hands, and try not to leave it unattended.
Find High-Quality Glass Bongs
At Toker Supply, we only sell products that we know will last for the long run. If you’re looking for a new bong, dab rig, bubbler, or glass bowl, then check out our selection!