Have you ever wondered how a bong works?
There are so many different ways to smoke your favorite herb these days. And while vaporizers are the new ‘healthier’ way to smoke, bongs have been doing it for decades.
So if you’re looking to ditch the tobacco for a cleaner, smoother smoke, a bong could be the thing for you. But if you’re still unsure, you may be interested to discover how exactly a bong works in doing this.
So this article is a lesson in the anatomy of a bong, looking at the various components that make it a popular choice among smokers.
Anatomy of a Bong
Because bongs have been around for a while now, the variety they come in is huge. Now available in all sorts of shapes and sizes, materials, and purposeful features, you’re spoilt for choice.
While the type comes down to personal preference, the basic parts of a bong remain the same for each. So now we’ll look at what these bong parts are and why they’re essential for that smooth, filtered smoke you’re after.
Bowl
This is where it all begins—the place to pack your dry herbs once they’ve been ground down. They are mostly made from metal or glass to endure the heat applied. Sizes can vary, and some will have a thin wire screen to stop bits falling down the hole.
Ash Catcher
While a screen helps, as you burn your herb it’ll make ash, which you don’t want falling into your mouth or your bong. This is where the ash catcher comes in. It sits beneath the bowl and catches everything, keeping your smoke pure while also making the bong easier to clean.
Joint
Next comes the joint—a small female piece that connects the bowl to the down stem and comes with most bongs. It is a simple but essential part.
Down Stem
This is like a hollow straw that leads from the joint into the water in the bong chamber. This is what causes the bubbling as you inhale air into the water which cools and filters the smoke. Down stems can vary in their design to enhance diffusion and filtration, but they are all a crucial part of a bong.
Percolator
These are either built-in or bought as an attachment at the end of the down stem. They serve to produce additional cooling and filtration by splitting the smoke through extra channels. However, this can also mean you spend a little more time cleaning.
Mouthpiece
This is found right at the top and can vary from bong to bong—and is where that cool, filtered smoke finally reaches your mouth. Some have a nice angle built in to make it easier to inhale, and some are shaped to fit your mouth over more snugly.
Knowing Your Bong Anatomy
Hopefully, this lesson in the anatomy of a bong has given you a basic idea of how it all works. This should give you a much better idea of what to expect when you decide to buy one yourself.
While you can buy some that are all one piece, you can also find some that are much more customizable. Knowing your bong parts and their functions will give you a little more insight into what bong you’re after.
If you’re interested in learning about alternative smoking methods, please visit our blog here.
