What is a Bong? Materials, Types, Uses, and Side Effects

A bong is a water pipe used to filter and cool smoke coming from cannabis. The word “bong” comes from the Thai Word “ baung,” which refers to a cylindrical tube or pipe. Apart from glass, there are different materials available, like silicone, metal, wood, etc. Though bong enthusiasts use bongs to avoid harsh hits and taste the flavor, it has some side effects, too. Suppose you use a dirty bong, inhale bacteria, and get a muddy taste after every hit.

Curious to explore: how do you use a bong, how it works, different parts of a bong, detailed side effects, and federal law in the USA? Go through our comprehensive guide to a bong and get the trusted company to buy!

What is a Bong in Smoking?

A bong in smoking is a filtration tool that cools smoke coming from burning marijuana, weed, cannabis, or other herbal substances. Its ultimate work is to run your smoke through water before you vape it into your mouth and give a smooth and cooling sensation.

Unlike hand pipes, these water pipes are popular for their aesthetic look and basic structure, including:

• Water chamber (holds water for filtration),
• Bowl (cannabis or herb substances are placed),
• Downstem (connects the bowl to the water), and
• Mouthpiece (user inhales the smoke from it).

Bongs come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, such as glass, plastic, ceramic, silicone, and metal. Now that you have a clear idea about the bong purposes of smoking, let’s check out the different parts of a bong!

What are the Different Parts of a Bong?

The common parts of a bong are a bowl, carb, downstem, base/water chamber, tube, and mouthpiece. Considering bong size, shape, and complexity, some are simple, while others have extra fancy features like ice catchers or percolators. 

Here we’ve discussed about bongs 7 different parts:

• Bowls: It is a bulb-like attachment in the bong where you put the dried and grounded herbal substances. Some bong users call it a slide/bowl piece. It is located at the bottom of the bong inside the joint. Popular bowl pieces are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm, and either male or female joints. Different materials, including glass, metal, and ceramic, are used to make bowl pieces. 
• Ash catcher: It is a glass attachment that catches ash from cannabis or other herbal substances. Ash catcher prevents ash from getting into your bong water and keeps your smoking experience enjoyable. Some come with built-in percolators to filter and cool the smoke. 
• Joints: It is an extension found on bongs that hold the downstem. There is also a joint at the end of the downstem. When a bong has a fixed downstem, the bowl goes straight into its joint. Three sizes of joints are available: 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm size holes. However, female joints are perfect for smoking weed, and male joints are for dab rigs.  
• Downstem: It is the bridge between the bowl and the water (bongs’ main chamber). At the end, closer to the joint, there are many holes: 10, 14, or 18mm. It is a long piece of glass, either fixed or replaced. Some have a diffuser towards the end to help cool the smoke.    
• Base/water chamber: At the bottom of the bong, water is poured, which is known as the base or water chamber. Depending on user preferences, the base design will vary. However, the common designs are bubble and beaker-shaped water chambers.
• Carb/carburetor: The carb is a small hole that allows smoke to clear the bong (finishing the hit). However, some bongs will have a pull or slide carb, which is exposed after removing the bowl. 
• Neck/tube & mouthpiece: The final part of a bong from where users inhale smoke. Mainly, it is the highest point and is placed horizontally. However, you’ll explore angled mouthpieces and many others in the bent-neck bongs, depending on the bong style.  

How Does a Bong Work?

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to how a bong works:

• Cannabis is lit: The dried herb is placed in the bowl and lit to generate smoke. The smoke then fills the chamber of the bong.
• Inhalation: When you take a breath through the mouthpiece, it generates airflow inside the bong, which pulls the smoke into the chamber of the bong. 
• Smoke and water interaction: When smoke enters the chamber, it interacts with the water. This interaction cooled down and filtered smoke. The water traps larger particles and water-soluble toxins, reducing the smoke's overall temperature.
• Percolation and diffusion: When smoke comes into water contact, it goes through diffusion and percolation processes. These processes cool down the smoke and give users a smooth and cool hit. 
• Exhalation: Once you hold the smoke for its preferred amount, then proceed to exhale. 

What Materials are Bongs Made of?

Glass, silicone, acrylic, ceramic, metal, and other materials are used to make bongs. For more details, let’s check out below:

1. Glass Bongs

Glass bongs are usually manufactured from one or two kinds of glass, such as borosilicate or hard glass and soda lime glass or soft glass. These bongs are most hygienic, transparent, customizable, and easy to use. Like others, glass bongs are made into countless shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. 

Pros

• Glass is neutral and doesn’t distort the taste of the herb. 
• Aesthetically appealing. 
• Easy to customize adding percolators and extra bubbler attachments.
• Cost-effective.

Cons

• Not portable.
• Fragile & require proper maintenance.

2. Silicone Bongs 

Silicone bongs are popular for their durability, portability, and affordability. It is made with low-toxicity materials and often comes with different parts made from glass or titanium. The bong is highly heat-resistant (withstands up to 600°F/315°C) without affecting the cannabis taste. 

Pros

• Lightweight & durable.
• Easy to clean.
• Different colors, shapes, and sizes are available.  

Cons

• Some bong users comment it offers a slight plastic taste to the smoke. 
• Less aesthetic appeal compared to glass bongs. 

3. Acrylic Bongs

Acrylic bongs are made from durable acrylic plastic and come with a bowl, downstem, chamber, and mouthpiece. Many users use these bongs for their lightweight, stiff, and transparent features. Compared to ordinary plastic, acrylic plastic is less toxic and harmful. 

Pros

• Durable and portable.
• Available in the marketplace. 
• Cost-effective.

Cons

• Some bong users comment it provides a plastic taste when smoked. 
• Deform the flavor of your herbs. 

4. Ceramic Bong

Ceramic bong manufacturers make this from clay. Before glass bongs, ceramic bongs were more popular for their aesthetic appeal. Also, they produce the same clean taste and are a bit more durable. In the marketplace, you get different forms of ceramic bongs, such as skulls and wizards.

Pros

• Produce a refreshing flavor like glass bongs.
• Aesthetically pleasing.

Cons

• Like glass bongs, they are not durable enough.
• Less customizable options

5. Metal Bongs

Another go-to and popular material is metal. It is durable enough and offers you budget-friendly pricing. Not only that, metal bongs are available in different variations, like stainless steel, aluminum, etc. 

Pros

• Sturdy enough.
• Withstand high temperatures. 

Cons

• Affects the real taste.
• Not easy to clean.

What are the Different Types of Bongs?

The 11 different types of bongs for smoking are as follows:

• Percolator bong: Percolator is a filtration element within the water chamber. It comes with one, two, or more numbers of percs to give a cooling sensation among bong users. 
• Ice bong: An ice bong or ice catcher bong is a type of water pipe designed to hold ice. Whenever smoke passes through the ice placed in the neck, it cools the smoke and gives you a menthol-type sensation.  
• Straight tube bong: It is a simple and sleek bong offering quick and intense hits. Easy to handle, store, and clean. Using this bong requires very little water storage, which means less cooling and filtration. 
• Round base bong: The round base bong comes with a female joint and a built-in downstem. It features a round water chamber at the bottom and a flat base. Like other bongs, it comes with percolators and ice catchers. 
• Multi-chamber bong: It offers separate water chambers to deliver well-filtered hits. These bongs are large enough compared to others for their multiple levels of percolation. It’s also heavier and difficult to clean properly. 
• Bubbler bong: Bubbler bong is a mix between water and pipe. Many bong enthusiasts love to use these bongs because of their portability (hand pipe with water). It is also similar to a weed pipe, which either has a downstem or a bulbous water base.  
• Mini bong: These bongs are 4-6 inches tall and best for personal use. Despite their size, it delivers quick and sharp rips with amazing flavors and potent hits. If you wish, they can be equipped with double percolation, like honeycomb disc perc. 
• Vase bong: As its name suggests, a vase bong is a mimic version of a flower vase and is available in translucent styles or intricate opaque designs. You can use them as decorative items. 
• Honeycomb bong: It is a disc-shaped percolator bong with several small holes arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Whenever smoke passes through holes, it creates thousands of microbubbles and gives users incredibly smooth hits. 
• Tree perc bong: Tree percolator bongs are popular for their multiple downward-facing tubes. As a bulbous glass, each tube has 1-4 slits to create thousands of bubbles and enhance diffusion for a smooth and well-filtered bong rip.
• Cyclone bong: Cyclone or tornado bong is a type of water pipe with a unique percolation system (spiral percs) that causes water to twist around in a tornado pattern. 

How to Use a Bong?

The bong smoking device uses 7 steps as follows:

Step 1: Prepare Your Bong

Clean your bong properly and pour water if you have any. Afterward, prepare your bong by setting up all the pieces. 

Step 2: Fill the Bong with Water

Now, fill your bong with the right amount of water and cover the downstem. Some bongs have multiple percolators in the neck and chamber that filter your smoke. Fill the percolator with enough water to cover the air holes. You may have to fill a percolator through the mouthpiece instead of the downstem. 

Step 3: Add Some Ice to Your Bong (Optional)

Some bong users love the cool sensation coming from ice and believe it makes it easier to inhale cannabis or other smoking substances. You can put ice through the mouthpiece or add other flavors instead of plain water, like fruit juice, coffee extracts, or others.

Step 4: Attach a Clean Bowl

Now that your bong water is filled correctly, add a clean bowl to ensure perfect water level. Doing so lets you know that the water bubbles will not splash when you inhale. 

Step 5: Pour Dried Herbs

Remove the bowl bong and pack it with loose dried herbs like cannabis, marijuana, and others. Loosely pouring ensures enough airflow for the smoke to go through the downstem and into the water chamber easily. 

Step 6: Take a Hit 

• After putting back the bowl, it’s time to take a hit.
• Firstly, Place the bong’s base on a flat surface like a table or desk, or you can place it on your lap.
• After that, hold the bong firmly, placing your one hand on its neck. 
• Put your lips inside the bong’s mouthpiece and seal the opening perfectly.
• Don’t hold the lighter too close to the bowl. Be careful about burning the flower and inhale simultaneously. 
• Remove the lighter whenever you’re sure the bowl is lit and burning constantly. 
• Be calm and relax every puff by removing the bowl. 
• Exhale immediately to avoid the marijuana smoking effects. 

Step 7: Clean the Bowl

If you notice there is nothing left but ash in the bowl, clean it properly for further use. Also, don’t forget to change the water and clean the bong properly. 

Bongs vs. Joints vs. Pipes: What are the Key Differences?

The key differences between bongs, joints, and pipes are the harsh cannabis or other herbal substances hits. To be clear, when you smoke with a bong, they pull the smoke through the water and make it cooler. On the other hand, joints refer to a hand-rolled cigarette filled with herbal substances. Afterward, pipes are small and handheld smoking devices. 

Here, we’ve highlighted a table below for more in-depth details:

Key Points	Bongs	Joints	Pipes
Design	It is a water-filtration device made of glass, silicon, etc.	Joints are rolling papers and include a filter (cruth).	It is a small and hand-held device made with metal, wood, glass, etc.
Feature	It includes a bowl, downstem, mouthpiece, carb, etc.	It is made by hand and tobacco is placed inside the paper.	It includes a bowl and a mouthpiece; some come with a carb hole.
Working procedures	Smoke passes through water, cool, and filter it before inhalation.	Smoke inhaled directly from the smoking material.	Direct combustion creates smoke and is inhaled through the mouthpiece.
Portability	Low	High	high
Ease of use	Moderate (multiple percolator bongs are hard to clean)	Easy	Easy
Smoking harshness	Smooth	Harsh	Harsh
Maintenance	High	No maintenance needed	Moderate

What are the Common Side Effects of Bong Smoking?

The common side effects of bong smoking are strep throat, pneumonia, emphysema, and others that happen when you don’t clean your bong properly. Dirty bongs are responsible for airflow obstruction, mold growth, and bacteria that can damage lung tissue and reduce lung function over time. On the contrary, cannabis, marijuana, and other harmful herbal substances can lead to short-term and long-term side effects:

• Damage cognitive function (short-term memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities)
• Increase heart rate
• Dry mouth and throat
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Respiratory problems
• Increased risk of cancer
• Negative impact on mental health

Is a Bong Legal in the USA?

No, a bong is illegal in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act (the federal law). The law defines that a bong is classified as drug paraphernalia if there is the presence of residue from illegal substances like cannabis. Let’s check out Bong’s Legal Gray Area:

• Jurisdiction: In some countries, like the Netherlands, bongs are legal to sell soft drugs like cannabis (hash and marijuana). On the other hand, bong sale and usage laws in the US vary from state to state and even city to city.
• Intended use: If you plan to use a bong for legal herbs (countries' laws) like tobacco or lavender, you’re free to use it. But for cannabis, things get complicated.
• Legality: In states like California, Colorado, New York, Missouri, and others, cannabis is legal and anyone can use a bong. But there are many states where cannabis and marijuana are illegal and bongs usage may fall under paraphernalia laws.

You might be curious thinking: are bongs considered drug paraphernalia in the US? The answer is yes if you use bongs to consume illicit drugs as per the country's law. Like bongs, roach clips, and other types of pipes are illegal. 

But what about buying a bong online? Yes, buying online is legit. But the deal is in most US states the bong is marketed for tobacco use or legal herbs. So, pay attention to the retailer’s disclaimer and product details. Here at Groovy Glass, we sell bongs by double-checking local regulations.

Conclusion

Now we’re at the end point of our article: what is a bong? You know about bong materials, types, uses, and side effects.  It’s time to use all your knowledge to pick your perfect match and avoid federal law in the USA. Purchase a bong from a reputed company with diverse bong collections and high-quality smoking items now!