A bong is an essential device for anyone who loves smoking cannabis. Bongs are of many types. Some people prefer recyclers because they are easy to clear, and the smoke is filtered several times before you inhale it. Some like the gravity bong because it is easy to make at home, while others prefer the waterfall bong since it is cheap and easy to make.
Whatever type of bong you go with, there are some essential components that you must know. All these components contribute to making your smoking session more enjoyable and safer.
Here’s a rundown of the most popular bong components
Bowl: The standard bowl attaches to the stem. This is where you pack your herb, and it can be made of metal, glass, wood, acrylic, stone, ceramic, or anything your heart desires. Just be sure to clean it every once in a while.
Bowls come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but most smokers prefer bongs that are a few inches wide so they can pack enough herbs into them. Bowls also come in various patterns, and you can find several options on any online store.
Pre-Cooler: A pre-cooler is a small chamber at the end of a water pipe. Flowing smoke and vapor enters the pre-cooler, where the surrounding water cools it. The pre-cooler adds quite a bit of drag but can add some flavor, too.
Downstem: The downstem acts as the bridge between the bowl and the base. The standard downstem for most bongs has three parts: a male joint, a long stem that goes inside the bong, and a bowl on the end. Some water pipes don’t have a separate bowl but rather a built-in bowl at the end of the downstem. These are usually found on bubblers.
Joint: This is the part of the bong that holds the downstem. The joints just sit in line with your existing downstem/joint and do not connect directly to anything else. The only joints that directly connect to your water pipes are the female joint and the male joint. Joints can be of two types: male and female.
If your bong is such that you insert your bowl into the downstem, you have a female joint. Conversely, if you have a bong where you can put your bowl onto the joint or downstem, it means you have a male joint.
Ashcatcher: The ash catcher is usually used as a secondary chamber for catching ash and holding ice water. These can also be used on their own without any other piece. Some ash catchers have more than one “percolator” (the word percolator is an umbrella term for this process).
The more percs it has, the smoother your smoke will be, but the drag will also be much bigger. So, if you want massive, smooth hits, you will need an ash catcher.
Many ash catchers come with a downstem and bowl (which makes sense because you probably already have a water pipe to put it on).
Base: As the name suggests, this is the base of the bong apparatus. This can come in various shapes and sizes, but the most common bong bases are shaped like beakers or bubbles as these allow the bong to stay upright on a table or the floor.
Nail: A lot of water pipes come with a nail attachment, but not all of them do. The nail is that part of the apparatus inserted into the water pipe and gets heated up. Nails come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
One of the most common types of nails, preferred mostly by beginners, is the ‘Banger nail.’ It is shaped like a hammer and easy to use, making it a go-to choice for amateurs and beginners. It is also cheaper than other nails, making it a preferred option.
Banger nails are versatile in their application and can be used with or without a carb cap. The shape of the banger nail makes it easy to get a thoroughly heated surface using a torch lighter. These can be made from glass to titanium, meaning they are available in all price ranges.
Diffuser: Some bongs have them, some don’t, but what exactly does it do? Essentially, the diffuser allows for smoother, more flavorful hits by breaking the smoke up into micro-particles.
The diffuser, as the name suggests, diffuses or distributes all the smoke evenly throughout your bong to ensure that your first few pulls are much easier on your throat and lungs. Put simply; it helps smokers experience the effect of taking two hits at once.
Mouthpiece: This is the part of the bong through which users inhale the smoke. This is also the only part of the bong that should make contact with the mouth.
Earlier, bong users had to bend over to inhale from the mouthpiece, but thanks to innovation in the field, there are bent-neck bongs with angled mouthpieces. This way, users can inhale from the bong while they are seated comfortably.
Splash Guard: This is commonly found in larger bongs and bongs that have high percolation levels. The sole purpose of the splash guard is to prevent the boiling water from getting through the mouthpiece, thus protecting the user.
How to Find the Best Bongs and Bong Components
Firstly, it’s important to know that there is no unique formula to determine the “best bong.” It depends on individual preferences. Each person has different needs, so it’s crucial to identify your needs or requirements before you look for a bong.
Also, you must know that all or most of these components are available in various shapes, sizes, materials, and even colors. You can also choose to buy the entire bong apparatus online, or you can buy each part individually and assemble it yourself to create your unique bong.
Whatever you buy, it must match your needs and budget. It is also crucial to take good care of your bong. Experts recommend cleaning it at least once every week, but the best way to ensure your bong lasts for a long while would be to clean it after every use.