HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT BONG; 7 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE BUYING MY FIRST BONG

LESSON 1: FUNCTIONALITY COMES FIRST.

The most important function of your bong is to give you a (preferably very) enjoyable smoking sesh. Yet, what consists of an enjoyable smoking experience differs from person to person. Some people enjoy a direct, almost rough hit. Others prefer a smoother, cooler, almost vapour-like gentle toke. Start by deciding what kind of smoking experience you are looking for. Do you like a full-on-straight-in-your-face-hit, or would you rather inhale big clouds of smooth, gentle smoke? Different bongs will give you different experiences.

Your first question should be: how smooth do I want my hit to be? As a rule of thumb, larger bongs offer gentler hits due to the time the smoke gets to filter and cool down as it travels from the bowl to your lungs. That being said, there are smaller-sized bongs that overcome this issue by incorporating extra diffusers, percolators and ice-catchers.

LESSON 2: SIZE MATTERS

The second thing to consider is the size of your prospective bong (trust me, in this case size does matter!).

Bongs come in a wide range of sizes, from small and portable to large and bulky. The size of the bong you choose will depend on your personal preference and needs.

If you are looking for a bong that is easy to carry around and discreet, a smaller size would be the way to go. Smaller bongs are also great for those who have limited storage space.

On the other hand, larger bongs often offer a more impressive visual appeal. They also tend to deliver a smoother and more satisfying hit because their larger chambers and percolators allow the smoke more time and space to filter and cool down. That being said, due to their size, larger bongs can also be more challenging to handle and more difficult to clean than smaller bongs.

Nowadays, I will first ask myself: how and where am I going to use my bong? If I plan on using it while sitting on the couch in the comfort of my own home, I may opt for a larger, more intricate piece of glassware. When I plan on mainly using it outside on the balcony or porch, where I will be holding the bong in my hand all the time, I will look for a smaller, more portable type of bong that is easier to handle.

LESSON 3: MATERIAL MATTERS

A hugely important factor to consider when shopping for a bong is the material it is made of. Bongs are made from various materials, including glass, ceramic, silicone, and even wood or metal. Each material has its own unique characteristics and benefits.

Glass bongs are popular due to their transparency and ability to showcase the water and smoke, as well as the fact that glass doesn’t influence the flavour of the smoke. They are also relatively easy to clean and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, glass bongs can be fragile and may break if not handled carefully.

Ceramic bongs are another popular choice due to their durability and ability to dissipate heat. They can also be glazed in a variety of colours and patterns, making them visually appealing. However, ceramic bongs can be challenging to clean due to their porous nature and often require more frequent maintenance.

Acrylic bongs are more affordable and durable than glass bongs, but they may not provide as smooth of a hit as glass. They also need cleaning more often than glass or ceramic bongs to keep them from becoming smelly.

Silicone bongs have gained a lot of popularity due to their durability and flexibility. They are virtually indestructible. Silicone bongs are also easy to clean and can be an excellent option for those prone to breaking glass bongs. However, they may not offer the same level of visual appeal as glass or ceramic bongs, and the smoke somehow doesn’t seem to taste as fresh compared to a glass or ceramic bong.

Wood and metal bongs are less common but can be a unique and visually appealing option. Metal bongs are typically more durable than glass bongs and can often be easily dismantled and carried in a backpack. They are a great bong to bring on a hike. Wooden bongs are more difficult to find but can be a real treat for the user. However, they also tend to need more maintenance and can be more difficult to clean due to their porous nature.

LESSON 4: PERCOLATORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Percolators are a type of built-in filter that diffuses and disperses the smoke and helps create a cooler and smoother hit. They work by breaking up the smoke into smaller bubbles as it passes through the water. This helps filter out impurities and reduce the harshness of the smoke.

Percolators come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be found in both affordable and high-end bongs. Over the years, I’ve learned that different types of percolators will affect the smoking experience differently, so it’s important to choose the right one for your preferences.

LESSON 5: THINK OUTSIDE THE BONG.

The main purpose of buying a bong is to get as pleasant a smoking experience as possible. For me, that means finding a bong that can cool the smoke down as much as possible. Freezable bongs turn out to be a great option. I find them to be a little less bulky than traditional bongs while offering tremendous cooling power for their size. My favourite freezable bongs use a glycerine-filled chamber with a coil inside through which the smoke travels up to the mouthpiece. These freezable bongs deliver an incredibly smooth and gentle hit. Not only when compared to similar-sized bongs but even when compared to bongs almost twice their size. The downside of this type of bong is that the coil can easily get plugged up. This means that they need cleaning more often, making them a bit more difficult to maintain than regular bongs.

If you would like a more in-depth look at Freezable Bongs, check our blog post “Freezable Bongs, Are They Really Worth It?”

Another option I really like is the so-called recycler bong. A recycler bong is a bong with several chambers that connect back and forth. The smoke travels through these chambers several times before it comes out of the mouthpiece. This gives the smoke more time to filter and cool down. Like freezable bongs, recyclers require regular cleaning to keep them in tip-top working order. But, in my opinion, they are well worth the investment in time and money. 

LESSON 6: ASH CATCHERS ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN WEED.

Adding an ash catcher to your rig is definitely worth considering. An ash catcher does precisely what its name suggests: it catches the ashes and prevents them from getting into your bong. Adding an ash catcher will keep the water inside your bong much cleaner much longer. They are not overly expensive and come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Although an external ash catcher can often be used for different bongs as long as they have the same joint size, I would suggest that you do not get an ash catcher until you find a bong that you really like.

LESSON 7: MORE EXPENSIVE DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN BETTER.

While it’s true that higher-priced bongs can often offer more intricate designs and features, a higher price tag does not necessarily equate to a better smoking experience.

In fact, many experienced smokers will tell you that some of the best bongs they’ve ever used were relatively affordable. A bong’s quality is determined by various factors, including its filtration system, material, size and shape, and more. While some high-end bongs offer additional features like extra percolators or unique designs, these features may not necessarily improve the overall smoking experience. In fact, a more affordable bong might offer everything you need to enjoy a great smoking experience without the added bells and whistles.

Yes, you get what you pay for to some extent. However, ultimately, it’s all about finding the right bong for your preferences and smoking habits. Therefore, the price tag shouldn’t be your main focus as long as it remains within your budget.