Unveiling the Basics: How to Use a Bong
Mastering the Bong Experience – Whether it’s a quirky DIY fruit bong or an exquisite glass masterpiece, every bong shares a common functionality. Dive into the fundamentals of this iconic cannabis accessory.
How to Use a Bong
Bongs, revered devices for cannabis enthusiasts, display a vast array of styles, from handcrafted wonders to intricately blown glass marvels. With this multitude of options, navigating the selection process can be daunting. Read on to grasp the workings of a bong, discover cleaning techniques, understand safety considerations, and more.
What Constitutes a Bong?
Often referred to as a water pipe, a bong is a tool designed for smoking dried cannabis flower. It incorporates a water filtration system to circulate and cool the smoke before inhalation. Bongs manifest in diverse shapes, sizes, and materials, such as glass, acrylic, wood, metal, and silicone. Despite the variety, they commonly consist of several standard components:
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Bowl: A detachable attachment that houses the dried flower for ignition.
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Downstem: A small cylinder tube connecting the bowl to the water source, some of which are removable for easy cleaning.
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Base: The lower part of the bong that holds the water, typically wider for stability.
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Tube/Chamber: A straight or curved tube where smoke percolates before inhalation.
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Mouthpiece: The upper lip or narrow area designed for inhalation.
Optional features like splash guards, percolators, or ice pinches are found in certain bongs. Splash guards prevent water from reaching your mouth, percolators enhance smoke circulation, and ice pinches hold ice cubes for further smoke cooling.
How Does a Bong Operate?
When you inhale, the smoke from burning cannabis moves through the bowl, downstem, and into the water at the base. The smoke filters through the water, cooling it, before ascending the tube to the mouthpiece. After each session, a thorough cleaning is recommended for a pristine experience.
How to Employ a Bong
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Fill: Pour water into the mouthpiece until the downstem’s bottom is covered, adjusting the amount to avoid splash back.
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Pack: Add dried cannabis to the bowl, ensuring proper airflow without packing too tightly.
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Ignite: Use a lighter or hemp wick to evenly burn the cannabis. If there’s a carb (carburettor), cover it before lighting.
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Inhale: Seal the tube with your mouth, inhaling. Once filled with smoke, release the carb or remove the bowl to clear and continue inhaling.
Note that these steps apply to basic water bongs; other types may have different requirements.
Dispelling a myth: Inhaling deeply or holding smoke does not enhance the effects.
What Cannabis is Suitable for Bongs?
Bongs are ideal for dried flower and milled cannabis consumption, though combustible formats like bubble hash or kief can also be used. Whole flower requires grinding before use.
Pros and Cons: Why Opt for a Bong?
Given the myriad ways to consume cannabis, the choice of a bong boils down to personal preference. Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros:
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Produces smoother and cooler smoke than joints or pipes.
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Reusable and easy to use.
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Accommodates various budgets.
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Enables customised cannabis consumption.
Cons:
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Inhaling cannabis smoke entails health risks.
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Less portable compared to other methods.
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Fragile and requires regular cleaning.
Purchasing a Bong: What to Consider
Exercise caution, as not all bongs are safe for use. Choose materials designed for heating, avoiding plastic and aluminium. Consider factors like size, shape, material, and price, ensuring compatibility with your preferences and lifestyle.
Maintaining Bong Cleanliness
Regular cleaning is essential for both aesthetics and safety. Bacteria and mould can proliferate, posing health risks and impacting cannabis flavour. Quick, regular cleaning, ideally every two days for regular use or after each sporadic use, ensures a hygienic experience. Individual alcohol wipes are handy for mouthpiece sanitisation between uses.
