Have you ever wondered how to use a bong the right way? If you are new to this, don't worry. Here we explain everything you need to know so you can enjoy your weed smoking experience with a smoking bong.
Materials Needed
To get started, make sure you have the following materials:
- Bong: You can opt for a glass bong, which is very popular.
- Grass: Well ground for a better experience.
- Lighter or cigarette lighter: To light the grass.
- Water: Necessary to fill the water chamber of the bong.
There are different types of bongs, such as percolator bongs, which filter and cool the smoke more efficiently.
Bong preparation
How to clean your bong before use:
It is important to start with a clean bong to ensure an optimal experience. Here are the detailed steps to clean it properly:
- Disassemble the bong and remove the bong bowl: Disassemble all removable parts of the bong. This usually includes the bowl (where you put the herb) and the tube.
- Fill the base with isopropyl alcohol and a little salt: Pour enough isopropyl alcohol into the bong to cover the inside area. Add a small amount of coarse salt, which acts as an abrasive to help remove resin and other accumulated residue.
- Shake well and rinse with warm water: Cover the openings of the bong (you can use your hands or silicone plugs) and shake vigorously so that the alcohol and salt mixture cleans all internal surfaces. After shaking well, rinse the bong with hot water until no trace of the alcohol or salt remains. Repeat this process if necessary until the bong is completely clean.
Filling the bong with water:
Once your bong is clean and dry, it's time to fill it with water. Follow these steps to do it correctly:
- Add water to the water chamber of the bong: Pour water into the main chamber of the bong. If your bong has an inner tube, be sure to pour the water through the larger opening to avoid spills.
- The water level should cover the bottom holes of the bong tube: The water should slightly cover the bottom holes of the tube, known as "downstems". This is crucial because these holes are what allow the water to filter the smoke. Do not put too much water in, as it could splash into your mouth when you inhale.
Herb Preparation
How to grind grass correctly:
- Use a grinder: For a good grind, use a hand or electric grinder. This will help you grind the herb evenly, which is essential for a smoother and more efficient smoking experience.
- Ideal consistency: The grass should be neither too fine nor too coarse. If it is too thin, it can obstruct the airflow and make inhalation difficult. If it is too coarse, it will not burn evenly. Look for a texture similar to coarse table salt.
Placement of the herb in the bowl:
- Fill the bong bowl: Once you have the ground herb, place it in the bong bowl. Do not fill the bowl completely, leave a little space at the top.
- Slightly compact: Use a small object, such as the end of a lighter or a specific tool for bongs, to gently press the herb into the bowl. Don't compact it too tightly, as this can obstruct the airflow and make it difficult to inhale the smoke. The idea is for the herb to be compact enough to stay in place, but still allow good airflow for the smoke to filter through and cool properly.
Use of the Bong
How to light the herb in the bong
- Hold the bong firmly: Hold the bong with one hand, making sure you have a good grip so it doesn't slip out of your hand.
- Prepare the lighter: Take the lighter with the other hand. Place it near the bowl, which is where the ground herb is.
- Bring the flame closer: Light the lighter and bring the flame towards the herb. At the same time, start sucking gently through the nozzle of the bong. This airflow will cause the flame to burn the herb.
How to inhale correctly
- Inhale slowly: Continue to inhale steadily and gently. In this way, the smoke will begin to fill the water chamber of the bong. You will be able to see how the smoke travels through the water and accumulates at the top of the bong.
- Fills the smoke chamber: Watch until the water chamber is completely filled with smoke. Do not rush, this step may take a few seconds.
- Remove the bowl from the bong: Once the chamber is full of smoke, remove the bowl from the bong. This is done by gently lifting the bowl, which will open a small hole and allow air to flow freely through the bong.
- Aspires the smoke quickly: After removing the bowl, inhale the smoke quickly from the mouthpiece of the bong. This last step is key to enjoying your puff. As you do so, you will feel the smoke flow smoothly into your lungs, providing a pleasant and filtered smoking experience.
Bong Maintenance
Keeping your bong clean is crucial for an optimal smoking experience. Here's how to do it and how to fix common problems:
Cleaning and care after use:
Empty the water from the bong: After each use, empty the water from the water chamber. This prevents the accumulation of residues and bad odors.
Use isopropyl alcohol and salt to clean the residues:
- Disassemble the bong: Separate all parts, including the cup and tube.
- Preparation of the cleaning mixture: In a large bag or container, mix isopropyl alcohol with coarse salt. The alcohol breaks down the resin residue, while the salt acts as an abrasive to remove stains.
- Cleanliness: Place the bong parts in the bag or container and shake vigorously for several minutes. Make sure the mixture reaches all areas.
- Rinse: Remove the pieces and rinse them well with hot water to remove any alcohol and salt residue.
Allow to dry: Place the cleaned pieces on a towel and allow them to air dry completely before reuse. This ensures that no moisture remains that could affect the quality of the next session.
Solutions to common problems:
If the bong does not produce enough smoke, check for blockages:
- Inspection: Check every part of the bong, especially the pipes and bowl, to make sure they are not clogged with weed or resin residue.
- Additional cleaning: If you find blockages, clean them out using a pipe cleaner or small brushes designed for bongs.
Make sure the water level is adequate for good air flow:
- Verification of the water level: The water should cover the bottom holes of the bong tube, but should not be so high that it splashes you when you inhale.
- Level adjustment: If the water is too low, add more until the proper level is reached. If it is too high, remove a little until the air flow is smooth and easy to handle.
Additional Tips
How to improve the bong experience
To get the most out of your bong, there are a few tricks you can try:
- Experiment with different water levels: The amount of water in the water chamber of the bong can significantly affect your experience. If you put too much water, it can be difficult to inhale the smoke, and if you put too little, the smoke will not filter properly. Try different levels until you find the one you like best. Remember that water filters and cools the smoke, so adjust according to your preference.
- Try bongs with percolator: Percolator bongs have an additional system that improves the filtration of the smoke, making it smoother and fresher. If you feel that the smoke is too harsh, a percolator bong may be the ideal solution. These bongs usually have multiple water chambers that filter and cool the smoke more efficiently, providing a more pleasant smoking experience.
Common mistakes to avoid when using a bong
To ensure you have an optimal experience with your bong, avoid making these mistakes:
- Do not overfill the bong bowl: Overfilling the bong bowl can obstruct airflow, making it difficult to inhale the smoke. In addition, an overfilled bowl can cause the herb to burn unevenly. Fill the bowl with a moderate amount of ground herb to ensure good airflow and even combustion.
- Do not vacuum too strongly at first: When you are lighting the herb, inhale gently. Inhaling too hard can cause the air to pass through the herb too quickly, not giving it time to burn properly. This can result in less smoke and a less effective puff. Inhale gently so that the bong fills with smoke gradually, then remove the bowl and inhale harder to enjoy your puff.
Conclusion
Using a bong may seem complicated at first, but with this step-by-step guide, you'll become an expert in no time. Always remember to clean a bong after each use and experiment with different types of bongs to find your favorite.Enjoy your smoking experience!