A bong is a glass or ceramic piece with a base, chamber and stem. The stem extends from the base and connects to the mouthpiece. Some bongs have extra components like percolators or ice catchers that chill and filter the smoke as it travels through. Begin by grinding your weed in a grinder to create a fine consistency. Place this in the bowl of your bong and set aside a couple of larger pieces for packing.
Fill the Bowl
A bong for smoking filters smoke by sending it through the water to cool and filter it before it gets into your lungs. The materials used to create bongs include glass (such as borosilicate), acrylic, wood, and other substances.
Some are very simple, with just a mouthpiece and a bowl. Others are more elaborate and feature features like an ice catcher, down stems, or a percolator for even greater filtration and cooling. First, you need to make sure your bong is full of water.
Generally, it would help if you filled the bong until the end of the down stem is submerged. You can add ice to the water for even cooler and filtered smoke, or you can also add salt to help keep your bong clean. Adding extras like these are optional, but they can be helpful for the beginner.
Next, you need to prepare the weed. Grind it up with a grinder, or use your fingers to break down the buds into smaller pieces. Then, pack the weed into the bowl. Be careful not to overpack, or you could start coughing when inhaling. Now you’re ready to light the weed! If you’re sharing a bong with friends, it’s considered polite only to burn a small area of the weed to prevent scorching the entire bowl.
Light the Bowl
Before you take your first hit, inhaling and filling the chamber with smoke is a good idea. It will prevent the smoke from blowing out of the mouthpiece or into your face and lungs. To do this, place your finger over the carb hole. It is a small opening on the side or base of the bong, usually on the opposite end from where the mouthpiece is located.
You’ll also want to cover it with a finger to prevent smoke from sneaking out before you suck it up. Once the carb is covered, it’s time to pack the bowl. Start with a pinch of cannabis and pack it loosely into the bottom of the bowl. Pack it densely as you add more, but don’t pack it so tight that it won’t burn properly.
Then, use a lighter to light it up. As you do so, inhale slowly and continuously to draw the smoke upward into the chamber. Inhaling this way will ensure that the smoke is properly heated and cooled by the water in the bong before it reaches your lungs. It will also make the hit more potent. If you have a bong with an ice catcher, use it to cool the smoke further and make it easier on your lungs.
Inhale
A bong is a bigger water pipe to chill and filter the smoke before inhalation. Compared to vaping, smoking a joint or a blunt can deliver a stronger high and is less harmful to the lungs. Because of this, a bong is often considered an advanced method of cannabis consumption. First, fill the bong with water.
Depending on the size of your bong, you’ll need a certain amount of water, but it should be enough to cover the down stem (the tube that joins the bowl and the mouthpiece). You can add ice for a cooler, more filtered smoke, and salt to help keep the water clean and prevent build-up. You can also use a tamping tool or other implement to pack the bowl, but this is optional.
When you’re ready to start smoking, hold the bong’s base with your non-dominant hand and the neck with your dominant hand. Place your lips over the mouthpiece and inhale. Close gaps where smoke might escape, and don’t inhale too hard – too much smoke can overstimulate the lungs. Once you’ve finished inhaling, exhale through the mouthpiece. Be careful not to take too many hits at once, as this can cause a lightheaded sensation and can lead to nausea.
Exhale
Different sizes, forms, and materials can be used to make bongs. Some are squat with wider bases, and others have the streamlined look of a glass tube. The most basic models don’t have any special features, but many come outfitted with designer touches like ice-catchers and percolators for better smoke filtration and smoother inhalation.
A standard bong has a bowl on a stem extending from the bottom of the piece, with a small hole called a carb to control airflow and a mouthpiece at the top for inhalation. Some models also have a special compartment or notches to hold ice for extra cooling of the smoke and more pleasant inhalation for new users.
Before you start smoking, sit down in a comfortable position and take several deep breaths. It will help fill your lungs with oxygen so you can inhale the smoke more easily without coughing. It’s also a good idea to ensure the area you’re smoking in is free of any flammable objects and that it’s away from anything you don’t want covered in smoke (like a pillow or blanket).
Once you’re ready to light up, carefully slide the bowl into the downstem. You may need to apply a little pressure to the bowl to make a tight seal but don’t press too hard, or you’ll create a hole that will burn the buds and create ash that will contaminate the next hit.
