Bongs questions
8 answers about bongs, reviewed by the Smokerolla team.
- How do you clean a bong without alcohol?
Soak the bong in warm water with white vinegar (about 1:1) for 30 to 60 minutes, then add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of coarse salt, plug the openings and shake for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water. It works well on light to medium buildup; heavy, baked-on resin may need a longer soak or a cleaner labeled for glass.
- How much water should you put in a bong?
Add enough water to cover the bottom of the downstem by about 1 inch (2 to 3 cm), which usually means a few inches of water in the base. If your bong has a percolator, the perc slits also need to be fully under water. Test by inhaling without lighting: you want steady bubbling and no water reaching your mouth.
- How do you use a bong?
Fill the bong with water until the downstem sits about an inch under the surface, pack the bowl loosely with ground dry herb, and light the edge while inhaling slowly so the water bubbles. When the chamber fills, pull the bowl (or release the carb) and inhale once more to clear the smoke.
- How do you clean a bong?
Empty the water, pull out the bowl and downstem, then pour in 91% or stronger isopropyl alcohol with a tablespoon or two of coarse salt, plug the openings and shake for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse with warm (not hot) water until the smell is gone, and soak the small parts in a zip bag of the same mix. A weekly clean like this takes about 15 minutes.
- What is a percolator in a bong?
A percolator (or "perc") is an extra piece of glass inside a bong that splits the smoke into many small bubbles as it passes through water. More, smaller bubbles mean more surface contact with the water, which cools and diffuses the smoke before it reaches you. Common types are tree, showerhead, honeycomb, inline and matrix percs.
- How does a bong work?
A bong works by pulling smoke through water. When you inhale, the pressure drops inside the tube, drawing air through the lit bowl, down the downstem and out into the water, where it bubbles up and cools before collecting in the chamber. Pulling the bowl (or opening the carb) lets fresh air push that smoke to you.
- What is an ash catcher?
An ash catcher is a small attachment that fits between your bowl and your bong. Smoke passes through it first, so ash and debris drop into its chamber instead of the bong, which keeps the main water and glass cleaner for longer. Most have water and a small percolator; to fit, it must match your bong's joint size (usually 14mm or 18mm) and angle (45 or 90 degrees).
- What is a downstem?
A downstem is the glass tube that connects the bowl to the water in a bong. Smoke travels down it and exits through the tip below the water line. Removable downstems are sized by joint (such as 18mm to 14mm, written 18/14) and length, usually 3 to 6 inches.