Have you used bongs? Any individual who has been around cannabis has tried many different methods and approaches to appreciate the plant for some time. There is a wide range of ways, in any event, with regards to enjoying cannabis by smoking it. One of the most well known of these is to smoke and enjoy cannabis products using bongs.
Bongs are just water pipes. They are being used most of the time by smokers of cannabis to improve their experience and lower the temperature of the smoke being inhaled. This accessory comes in all shapes, materials, forms, and sizes. You’ll discover many bong models made out of acrylic, wood, glass, earthenware, bamboo, and even dirt! Regardless of what they resemble or what materials they are made out of, they all work similarly. Every other variety is up to the creative mind of its designer or craftsman.
Origins of the Bongs
The usage of antiquated bongs can be followed back to ancient times as far as 2,400 years prior. Ongoing excavations by Russians revealed elaborate bongs created using gold by the Scythe clan located in the Iranian-Eurasian region. There are also more simplistic designs that were found already in various parts of Central Asia and Africa. Most of them were commonly made out of horns and earthenware and are dated somewhere in the range of 1100 and 1400 AD.
The present name “bongs” came from the name for bamboo tubes that were well known in Central Asia. It originates from the Thai word “baung.” The name stuck as the bongs formed into more contemporary variants of today.
Chronicled reports state that the dynasties in China were the first to include water usage in bongs. Valid or not, the regal status of water pipe bongs during that era is certain. Different dynasty rulers were covered with their valuable and elaborate bong pieces.
Parts of the Bong
- Tube – the tube is the part of the bong that ends with the mouthpiece. The chamber loads up with smoke after it has been sifted through the water. Nowadays, there is a wide range of modifications on this part of the bong, including ones called “splash guards,” as well as “ice pinches,” or so they are called. The last one is spaces in the tube where ice can be added to additionally cool down the smoke as it is breathed in.
- Base – located at the bottom, you’ll have the base of the bong. It can take on many different designs, but for the most part, it’s made very similar to a beaker or a bubble.
- Downstem – this is what you call the little cylinder tube that permits smoke to make a trip from the bowl to the base. It is at this part of the bong that lets the smoke become filtered through the water.
- The carb hole is the little opening that lets the bong user clear the chamber free of smoke. Built-in carb holes, also known as carburetors, can be found in more fancy bong designs while others require the user to take off the bowl to go about as a substitute for the carb hole.
- Bowl – this is the round or spherical part or attachment of the bong where the dried cannabis blossom is stacked and then ignited. There are some bong designs where this part of the bong can be removed.
Materials Used to Make Bongs
It is composed of different materials which can help you to enjoy your cannabis experience with these materials below.
- Metal– while not as mainstream as acrylics or glass, metal is likewise a valid alternative. This material is solid and sturdy, and not that expensive. Some inconveniences are that you may not tell when it’s already time to get it cleaned, and metal bongs can affect the flavor of your cannabis product.
- Wood and Bamboo– Return to fundamentals with a bong made out of wood or bamboo materials. These two all-natural materials come in the cheap and are amazingly tough. All you need is proper care and maintenance, and they will last for a very long stretch of time. You can also express your creative side by getting a basic bamboo tube variant or a more exquisite design to paint and modify. The main issue with wood or bamboo is that they usually tend to be difficult to clean.
- Glass– Without question, glass bongs are the most popular. This material doesn’t influence your cannabis product’s taste by any means; a glass bong guarantees a clean, unadulterated taste.
From a common sense perspective, the straightforwardness of glass likewise has favorable points. You can immediately spot the tar buildup occurrence, which will be anything but difficult to clear out. On the drawback, glass bongs are the most costly. They are likewise hard to bring along with you, as they can be on the heavy side and more inclined to break. Glass bongs produced using borosilicate can be hardy and can withstand a decent knock or two.
- Ceramic– For the individuals who like their bong to serve as a craftsmanship object, a ceramic bong is an excellent choice indeed! They come in a wide plethora of one of a kind shapes and hues, serving to complement the interiors of your living space excellently. More often than not, they tend to be large and very heavy: not convenient for travel or being passed around. This makes them more appropriate for those special events as opposed to everyday smoking. Because of their delicacy, going with an artistic bong can be a challenging venture. They are usually somewhat more costly than acrylic yet, at the same time, a lot less expensive than glass bongs.
- Acrylic are famously popular among bong users as well, yet for other reasons compared to glass. This material makes them truly hardy, so you will only ever rarely need to stress over one breaking when you pass it around in the group session, or you bring it with you when you travel. Regardless of whether it will shatter or break one day, they are the least expensive sort of bongs. In any case, there is one weakness. Acrylic will, in general, influence the taste of your bud but only for just a bit.
- Other alternative bong materials – There are numerous other ordinary materials you can use to construct your bong. These were great and easy fixes when you didn’t bring your bong with you.
You can get extremely imaginative here and use things, for example, Lego squares, water containers, and even natural products such as vegetables and fruits. What’s more, you can make a “gravity bong” by converting a can or 2-liter bottle or for a definitive Do-It-Yourself bong experience!
Bong Shapes and Designs
This kind of cannabis accessory has different shapes and designs you can choose from. Here is the list of various shapes and designs.
- Multi-chamber– This bong contains various chambers that connect to another cylinder tube or chamber. The smoke is percolated twice with the use of two chambers where the water is contained. Multi-chamber bongs require additional cleaning but are worth it since it gives the user a smoother hit by far. This type of bong is also known as a recycler bong.
- Percolator– The bottom base of this type of bong can take on any form, and the filters are added to sift the smoke through additionally. When you’re taking your hits, bubbles will form as the smoke percolates through the water. This will result in a smoother hit for the user, even though these bongs take more effort than usual to clean.
- Beaker-shaped– It is pretty much the same as the round-based bongs, with the main difference in that the bong’s chamber is shaped in a beaker. Its bigger, level base makes them much more steady.
- Round-base– round-based bongs a more steady variation compared to straight-tubes. The spherically-molded water chamber offers a stronger, more established, and steadier base.
How to Use a Bongs
We will now walk you through our guide one step at a time on the most effective method to work a bong.
- Step 1: Add the water into the cylinder tube. Ensure there’s sufficient water to cover the base by a third of the downstream, but not enough that it results in you sucking the bong water up.
- Step 2: Grind down your cannabis product to granules that are medium-fine, packing the bong’s bowl, and leaving some space for air.
- Step 3: Now light the bowl, putting your lips on the bong’s mouthpiece. All the while covering the carburetor hole (if there is one) to guarantee all the smoke will stream into your mouth.
- Step 4: From here, take small puffs or “hits.” There’s no compelling reason to keep the smoke in your lungs; breathe out as you usually would and enjoy!
There are numerous things you can use to make your bong hits more charming. Include other fluids as choices, for example, organic juices or tea for variety. Likewise, try to keep up your bong by keeping it clean for an improved cannabis experience.