Smoking 101: How To Use a Bong (Properly) - The Bluntness

If you're new to using a water bong, it may seem a bit confusing at first. However, fear not, for water or ice bongs are simple yet sophisticated devices that offer a clean, smooth, and enjoyable smoking experience. In this how-to article, we'll guide you through the process of using a water bong, from preparing it to taking a hit and even cleaning it.

Bongs, or water pipes as they are more commonly known in the tobacco industry, are a way to get dry herbs into your system by using a comparatively little amount of herbs while still getting a big hit. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but all share the same basic way to achieve a hit.

Part 1: Preparing the Bong

Before you start using the water bong, familiarize yourself with its parts:

1. Mouthpiece: The opening at the end of the tube where you place your mouth. Create an airtight seal by placing your lips inside the inhale hole.
2. Chamber: The part of the bong where the smoke accumulates before inhalation.
3. Bowl (Slide): The part that holds your smoking material. You remove it from the downstem before inhaling the smoke.
4. Downstem: A small tube connecting the water in the bottom of the bong to the bottom of the slide. The smoke travels through the downstem and into the water.
5. Carb (Optional): A hole on the side of the bong above the water level. If present, keep it covered while lighting the bowl and uncover it when ready to inhale.

Now let's prepare the bong:

1. Fill the bong with water: Remove the downstem and fill the chamber with water until it just covers the downstem. The water level should be between 1" and 1/2" above the end of the downstem. Avoid overfilling as it makes inhaling more challenging. BONUS:
2. Fill any percolators with water: Percolators, or percs, further filter the smoke and cool it. Fill them with enough water to cover any air holes with a few millimeters of water.
3. BONUS: Add ice to your bong: A trick in order to make some of the smoke not come as quickly or hit as harsh is to put ice in the pipe. This will slow down the amount of smoke that you get through the mouthpiece, but also might lessen your hit.
4. Test the water level: Take a quick, deep breath through the mouthpiece. The water should bubble up but not reach your lips. Adjust the water level if necessary.

Part 2: Packing the Bowl

1. Remove the bowl: Take the bowl out of the bong to prevent accidents while packing.
2. Clean the bowl: Ensure enough airflow by gently blowing on the bowl and ensuring air passes through to the downstem.
3. Break up the smoking material: Break it into small pieces, removing any seeds, stems, or leafs. A coarse grind is best to prevent small pieces from getting sucked into the chamber.
4. Loosely pack the bowl: Fill the bowl with your smoking material to a medium-light consistency, leaving some space at the top for airflow.
5. Place the bowl into the downstem: Fit it snugly but not too tight. If there's a carb, uncover it when ready to inhale.

Part 3: Taking a Hit

1. Hold the bong securely: Grasp the bong firmly around the neck with your non-dominant hand, and keep it on a flat surface to prevent accidents.
2. Create an airtight seal: Place your lips inside the mouthpiece to form a seal and avoid wrapping your lips around the outside.
3. Light the bowl while inhaling: Use a lighter to ignite the smoking material while slowly inhaling. Inhale slowly to gather smoke inside the bong's chamber.
4. Inhale the smoke with a deep breath: To get the smoke into your lungs, remove the bowl or uncover the carb and inhale deeply.
5. Exhale immediately: There's no need to hold the smoke in; exhale it immediately for a smoother experience.
6. Clear the bong before passing: Blow lightly through the downstem to force any remaining smoke out before passing the bong to the next person.

Part 4: Practicing Bong Etiquette

1. Avoid drooling into the bong: Be cautious not to drool while inhaling, as it's considered bad smoking etiquette.
2. Corner the bowl when sharing: If you're sharing the bong, focus the flame on the side of the bowl to leave some smoking material for others.
3. Never exhale back into the bong: This can spill water or wet the bowl, ruining the smoking experience.

Part 5: Cleaning a Water Bong

1. Use isopropyl alcohol (and baking soda, not salt) for quick cleaning: Soak the bowl and downstem in isopropyl alcohol and baking soda to remove residue and smell.
2. Rinse and dry all pieces separately: Rinse all pieces thoroughly with water and dry them separately to avoid accidents.
3. Change the water regularly: Refresh the water every 7-10 hits for a better taste and cleaner smoke.
4. Clean your bong every few weeks: Regular cleaning prevents large build-ups of resin and ensures a pleasant smoking experience.

Now that you're well-versed in using a water bong, enjoy your smooth and enjoyable smoking sessions. Remember to practice bong etiquette and keep your bong clean for long-lasting enjoyment.

Bongs are a popular choice for the smoking connoisseur because they can fit any budget. You can get really simple bongs for cheap, or splurge on one of the more costly varieties that are made of hand-blown glass or other materials such as steel. It's also definitely important to keep your water pipe clean so that you can have an optimum smoking experience every time.

Happy smoking!