How to Use a Water Pipe: A Beginner’s Guide to Types, Techniques, and Etiquette

How to usa a Bong

kamal Hossain |

Using a Water Pipe properly involves controlling the flame, holding the Water Pipe properly, maintaining the water level, and inhaling at the right pace. Different types of bongs are available, such as beaker Water Pipes, silicone Water Pipes, mini Water Pipes, percolator Water Pipes, and so on.

Curious thinking: How do you use a Water Pipe properly? The proper usage varies depending on the Water Pipe type. Considering this fact, we’ve highlighted some popular Water Pipe usage guides, etiquette, and a list of the best Water Pipes for beginners and a trusted bong seller.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

Is it Easy to Use a Water Pipe?

Yes, it is easy to use a Water PipeA Water Pipe, also known as a water pipe, is a filtration device used to smoke herbal substances, such as tobacco. Water Pipe enthusiasts prefer this smoking tool for its cooling sensation at every puff. When a person smokes with a Water Pipe, the smoke passes through the water, making the smoke cooler. Water Pipes come in different sizes, shapes, and materials, such as glass, ceramic, silicone, and metal.

What are the Different Parts of a Water Pipe?

A Water Pipe has different parts, including the bowl, joint, downstem, percolator, mouthpiece, base water chamber, ash catcher, and ice pinch. Let’s break down different bong parts/setups, and what they do.

The Main Components of a Water Pipe

1. Mouthpiece

A Water Pipe's top and opening part help you inhale the smoke. Ensure the mouthpiece is clean and smooth for a comfortable smoking experience.

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2. Neck/tube

The long, vertical part of the Water Pipe; connects the base to the mouthpiece. It acts as the pathway for smoke to travel from the base to the mouthpiece. 

3. Base or water chamber

The key purpose of the base or water chamber is to filter and cool the smoke. The bottom part of the Water Pipe holds water or other liquids. The Water Pipe base has different shapes, like breaker or straight tube bases. 

4. Downstem

One of the most important parts of a Water Pipe is the downstream, which directs smoke from the bowls into the water for filtration. It is a narrow tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber.

5. Bowl

The Water Pipe bowl is a glass container used for packing or lighting herbal substances. Some bongs come in an attached and removable bowl.    

Optional/Advanced Components

1. Percolator

A Water Pipe percolator is an additional water filtration component that makes your smoking experience cooler and smoother. Percolators come in different shapes and sizes and work to break up the smoke into smaller bubbles. Some common types of bong percolators include honeycomb, tree, inline, showerhead, and many more. Use pipe cleaners to clean hard-to-reach areas of percolators.

Note: As a newbie, you must avoid percolators with too many small holes; they are difficult to clean.

2. Carburetor

A carburetor, or carb, is a small hole that improves airflow and efficiency, providing better hits. Many Water Pipes come with a removable carb, an additional Water Pipe part located above the water level. It allows the chamber to fill with smoke; releasing it clears the chamber. 

3. Ice Catcher

Ice catcher consists of notches or indents inside the neck of the Water Pipe, placed above the water chamber. These notches are used to hold ice cubes separately; don’t mix with the water. It is designed to cool the smoke, reduce harshness, and give a pleasant inhale.

4. Ash Catcher

An ash catcher in a Water Pipe is a glass attachment that collects ash from your bowl when it troubles through the hole. Its key feature is to prevent ash and resin from falling into the Water Pipe’s water. 

5. Splash Guard

A splash guard is another effective part of a bong, which prevents water from reaching your mouth when inhaling. These are positioned above the percolator or in the neck of the Water Pipe. The splash guard comes with a disk-like or dome-shaped feature with small holes or slits. 

6. Diffuser

It improves smoke filtration and produces smoother and less harsh hits. Percolators also act as diffusers or downstems with slits or holes. 

7. Joint

Joint connects the bowl or downstem to the Water Pipe and is available in both male (fits inside the female) and female (fits inside the male) joints. The joints come in standard sizes including 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. 

How to Use a Water Pipe for First-time Beginners?

Using a Water Pipe for the first time can seem daunting, but it’s quite easy to use. Here, we’ve highlighted different bong types and processes: 

How to Use a Percolator Water Pipe?

Percolator Water Pipe usage is pretty simple. There are different types of percolators: honeycomb, matrix, inline, showerhead, and so on. Choose one that is easy to clean and follow our steps for further usage:

Step 1: Gather All Essential Materials

Take a clean percolator Water Pipe, clean water, dry tobacco, a grinder, and a lighter.  

Step 2: Add Water to the Water Pipe

Fill the main water chamber through the mouthpiece or downsteam; ensure the water level submerges the end of the downsteam and helps filter and cool the smoke. Slowly pour water into the percolator chamber. 

Step 3: Pack the Herb into the Bowl

Use a grinder (if you have any) to break herbs into pieces and pack those into the bowl. Now, take a lighter or a torch to light the herbs. 

Step 4: Inhale and Enjoy

Hold the Water Pipe securely with one hand, ensure it is stable, and take a deep breath to pull the smoke into your lungs. 

 

How to Use a Water Pipe?

The processes of using a Water Pipe are as follows:

Step 1: Collect All Materials

Gather clean water, dry herbs, a grinder, or a lighter.

Step 2: Add water to the Water Pipe

Fill the Water Pipe's water chamber with enough water through the mouthpiece or downsteam; ensure the water level submerges the end of the downsteam and helps filter and cool the smoke. You can add ice, fruit juice, coffee, or others instead of water to add flavors.

Step 3: Pack the Herb into the Bowl

Use a grinder (if have any) to break herbs into pieces and pack those into the bowl. Now, take a lighter or a torch to light the herbs. 

Step 4: Inhale and Enjoy

Hold the Water Pipe securely with one hand, ensure it is stable, and take a deep breath to pull the smoke into your lungs. 

How to Use a Small Water Pipe?

A small Water Pipe is easy to use and ideal for quick and efficient smoking sessions. Take a glimpse of using steps:

Step 1: Collect All Materials

Take a clean small bong, distilled water, dry herb, or other smoking substances, lighter, and grinder (optional).

Step 2: Add Water to the Water Pipe

Fill the Water Pipe's water chamber with enough water through the mouthpiece or downstream; ensure the water level submerges the end of the down stream and helps filter and cool the smoke. 

Step 3: Pack the Herb into the Bowl

Use a grinder (if you have any) to break herbs into pieces and pack those into the bowl. Now, take a lighter or a torch to light the herbs. 

Step 4: Inhale and Enjoy

Place your lips on the mouthpiece to inhale slowly while lighting the herb to draw the smoke into the chamber. Remove the bowl and continue inhaling. Don’t forget to clean the bong properly after each use. 

 

How to Use a Bubbler Water Pipe?

Follow these steps if you want to smoke with a bubbler:

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Gather your bubbler Water Pipe, dry herb, lighter, and distilled water. Ensure your bubbler Water Pipe is clean for the best smoking experience.

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Step 2: Add Water to the Bubbler

Add enough water to the bubbler to submerge the bottom of the downstem or percolator. Inhale through the mouthpiece without lighting to check the water level. The water level is perfect if you hear a bubbling sound and do not overflow into your mouth. 

Step 3: Place Smoking Substances in the Bowl

Add your favorite tobacco to the bowl. Don’t pack the flowers too tightly. 

Step 4: Cover the Carb Hole & Inhale

Put your thumb over the carb hole to control airflows and lift your thumb off to clear the chamber and enjoy a smooth hit. 

How to Use a Water Pipe With a Diffuser?

Using a Water Pipe with a diffuser involves:

Step 1: Assemble the Water Pipe with a Diffuser

First, insert the down stem into the bong joint, then carefully place the diffuser above the down stem. You can also use ice cubes (if the bong has an ice catcher).

Step 2: Fill Enough Water and Add Smoking Herbs

Pour water into the base chamber through the mouthpiece 1-2 inches until the water covers the holes in the diffuser. Now, grind your smoking substances and fill them into the bowl loosely to allow airflow.  

Step 3: Enjoy Your Hit

Light a corner of the packed herb or tobacco and inhale slowly through the mouthpiece. The diffuser in your bubbler will cool and filter the smoke. 

Different types of diffusers are available in the marketplace, including tree, spiral, honeycomb, and showerhead to purify the smoke and cool down the hit. So, choose the ideal one to enhance your smoking experience. 

What Type of Water Pipe is the Best for Beginners?

A Sandblasted Beaker Water Pipe is the best for beginners because of its wide and heavy base. It offers stability and allows more water for enhanced filtration and cooling. Built-in diffusion points, high-quality borosilicate glass, and airtight connection make it useful. 

Other high-quality and beginner-friendly bong examples are: 

Smoothest Water Pipes for Beginners

If you want to enjoy ultra-smooth hits, you can try -

  • Ice Water Pipes with diffusers: An ice Water Pipe is cool and reasonable. It has multiple ice-placing chambers and an ergonomically designed mouthpiece. The Water Pipe also integrates a diffuser downstream to enhance smoke filtration.
  • Glycerin Water Pipe: A glycerin is a non-toxic liquid that freezes at a lower temperature than water and gives an excellent coolant.
  • Recyclers: A recycler Water Pipe comes with a two-chambered percolator that filters smoke multiple times before you inhale. It is mostly used with dabs; you can refilter and recool the smoke.

Water Pipes for Newbies

  • Dragon Glass Premium Water Pipes: The Dragon Glass premium smoking bong is designed for hassle-free cleaning. Its wide base provides extra stability, ensures safe use, and more. It is crafted from high-quality borosilicate glass, withstands regular use, and offers long-lasting durability.
  • 12” Bent Neck with Double Inline Shower Percs: It is crafted from high-quality borosilicate glass material and effective filtering towards clean hits. Its bent neck is well-designed, functional, and easy to clean.
  • 18” MOZONE Ice Catcher: This Water Pipe with diffuser comes with multiple ice-catching chambers to reduce advanced temperature. Its sleek design and borosilicate glass-made items make it more popular.
  • 10” MOZONE water pipe: MOZONE water pipe is a high-quality and durable borosilicate glass-made Water Pipe. Its massive percolator and functional bent-neck design make it handy and popular among bong users.

Before choosing a beginner-friendly bong, there are several factors you must consider:

  • Ease of use: Avoid using multiple chambers or percolator Water Pipes; use a simple design. Complex Water Pipe designs are hard to clean and maintain.
  • Materials: You can choose a budget-friendly glass Water Pipe from Groovy Glass. Although glass is a fragile material, it gives you a flavor-rich smoking experience.
  • Size: Start with a small or medium-sized (10-14 inches) Water Pipe because the large one requires more lung capacity.
  • Durability: As a beginner, you can choose a sturdy design and materials, like silicone or beaker Water Pipes.
  • Filtration: Use distilled water filtration, a single percolator, or diffuser, but avoid complex filtration systems.
  • Price: Buy budget-friendly Water Pipes from $23-$60 from the Groovy Glass Water Pipe collections.
  • Aesthetic: Give priority to your personal preferences, like design and colors.

Conclusion

At the end of this article, how to use a Water Pipe, we hope you get a proper guide to use a Water Pipe securely and effectively. Share your opinion and experience of using your first Water Pipe. To buy high-quality Water Pipes at a reasonable price, visit Groovy-Glass.com now!

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