Some people’s relationship with cannabis ends when they smoke from a real bong, not an apple, a plastic water bottle, or an Arizona Iced Tea can. The entire routine turns out to be excessively complex, dramatic, and evocative of being stranded in a man’s basement watching bad music videos.

However, for some, that first large hit marks the beginning of a wonderful relationship with lounging about the house. This is a handbook for you if you happen to be in this camp.

Admittedly, this sounds like an “old man yelling at a cloud,” but when I was a teenager, we weren’t “consuming cannabis,” we were smoking weed. Nowadays, you can pop THC tablets, smoke, vape, eat gummies, apply lubricant, drink seltzer, squeeze syrup into your beer, apply a sublingual under your tongue, and maybe do a hundred more things that I’m not aware of.

Nevertheless, there’s something that can never be replaced about a bong, whether you pass one around with buddies during a marathon of The Lord of the Rings or light one up right before you drop out from the longest workday ever. Bongs are a throwback to a time before cannabis and wellness were synonymous. They might make you feel uncomfortable, be a little annoying, and be a little impractical. That’s the precise reason why having one is so enjoyable. 

Remember before purchasing a bong.

As with any major purchase, it’s easy to get hung up on the specifics, and buying a bong is no different. It’s important to finalize a few details before you begin browsing. Consider how frequently you plan to use your bong, how many family members will use it, and whether or not you live in a place where letting out a massive rip won’t trigger the fire alarm.

Set out at least $80 to $150 for something new and quite good. If the price tag bothers you, or if you’re just getting started with cannabis and don’t think you’ll use a bong often, a smaller device like a bubbler—a portable pipe with a water chamber—might be a wiser buy.

What to look for in a bong

Size and material are the primary factors to take into account, and in terms of size, it makes sense. You should generally stay with a bong that is less than a foot tall if your family just has one stoner. For pot efficiency, a larger bong is a preferable choice if you intend to share with many friends or housemates.

The gold standard for glass and ceramic bongs is borosilicate, sometimes known as “scientific,” because these materials are strong, react well to heat, and most importantly, are safe to smoke from. It’s obvious when they get dirty and need to be scrubbed, so I’d suggest getting a clear or translucent one (more on that later).

Another alternative are silicone bongs, which are much less expensive but of worse quality. Because they are pliable and squishy, you can massage your preferred product into all the crevices, making them easier to clean. They are only functional in bowls made of glass, ceramic, or a particular metal such as pure brass, titanium, or stainless steel. 

How to use a bong

It’s helpful to know how a bong operates. Your flower is placed in the bowl; it usually separates from the bong to provide the necessary airflow for a good hit. The downstem of the bong—the tube that dips into the water and draws smoke through it—is where the bowl will rest. The chamber is used to add water to cool the smoke during inhalation, resulting in a less potent hit than with a standard pipe. The downstem only needs to be completely submerged in water for the bottom to accomplish its job. The bong’s mouthpiece, which is relatively self-explanatory—that’s where you inhale—and its neck, which fills with smoke, are other features.

More expensive versions of bongs may additionally have a percolator for extra smoke filtering or an ice-catcher to hold a few ice cubes. These two adjustments contribute to a smoother, more inhaled hit. 

When using a bong, you fire the bowl and take a puff to fill the bong’s neck with smoke. After that, you take out the bowl and keep breathing in, ideally until the smoke “clears” your throat.

Lets see some of the techniques to use a bong.

• The size of your bowl and your tolerance level determine how much cannabis is the proper amount. Overfilling or overpacking increases the chance of clogging the bowl, while underfilling can result in an unsatisfactory hit. 
• If you don’t want to look like a human dragon, avoid holding the lighter too close to the bowl.
• Take caution when adding too much water to the bong, unless you want to taste fermented cannabis liquor, which I can assure you is not what you want.
• In the same vein, even if the water level in your bong isn’t too high, try not to inhale too forcefully or you’ll end up in the same unpleasant situation.
• Put your hand over the bong’s mouth to trap smoke if you are unable to completely clean it out. You can either give it to a friend who has a larger lung capacity or attempt to clear it on the second try.
• It’s a puff, pass situation when using a bong with friends—one hit will suffice, I promise.

How to maintain a bong

To ensure that you are not inhaling smoke that has been filtered through moldy water, change the bong water at least every two or three days. Empty the water after each usage if you’re particularly careful. 

Clear out the gunk: Your bong will inevitably get unsanitary. Experts advise cleaning your bong at least once a week if you use it frequently, but let’s face it—that definitely isn’t possible. If it’s really required, you can skate by cleaning it every few weeks. Depending on the material your bong is built of, you will need to use different cleaning supplies. 

You will need to use a basic mixture of isopropyl alcohol (91–99%) and coarse salt (epsom salt or rock salt) for a glass or ceramic bong. Take out all removable parts, such as the downstem and bowl, and then pour the salt and isopropyl alcohol into the chamber. Put the removable parts in Ziploc bags along with the identical mixture. Shake that bad boy up for a few minutes after sealing off any exposed holes with your hands or some plastic wrap and rubber bands. The alcohol will sanitize everything and the salt will help remove muck.

If you’re cleaning a silicone bong, avoid using isopropyl alcohol and instead use dish soap and water. Fill the bong, let it soak for a few minutes, then rinse it out and use a Q-tip or pipe cleaner to remove any leftover muck.

Lets see some of the frequently asked questions related to How to use a bong.

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