Water Pipe

Smoking pipes have been around for four thousand years. While smoking pipes have their undeniable utility, they are not amongst the most convenient tools. Whether you use dry herbs or some other form of tobacco, the hit is usually quite harsh. This has propelled many smokers to alternatives, such as water pipes and bongs.

Introduction to Bongs and Water Pipes

A bong or water pipe is a smoking device. It has an integrated water filtration system, which can cool down the smoke and also filter it for a much better user experience. Bongs and water pipes come in a plethora of designs, some with special features, and made from different materials.

Benefits of Bongs & Water Pipes

The four noteworthy benefits of bongs over traditional smoking pipes are the water filtration system, cleaner and cooler smoke, easy cleaning and maintenance, and a more enjoyable user experience.

Water Filtration

Water is the universal solvent. It can absorb more substances than any other known, natural or manufactured liquid. Using water as a natural filter in bongs prevents several unpleasant byproducts of smoking herbs or other materials from reaching your airways.

Cleaner and Cooler Smoke

The water filtration system in bongs cleans the smoke, and also cools it. As a result, a user gets to inhale a more comfortable puff of smoke without getting a hot hit. The absence of several unpleasant byproducts makes the smoke significantly cleaner.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

Bongs are designed in a manner to ensure a convenient smoking experience. The forms enable easy cleaning. The water, once a session is over, can be drained conveniently. This water, when drained, takes along with it most of the residual traces.

Satiating Smoking Experience

Even connoisseurs do not like unusually hot and harsh hits. Everyone wants to enjoy the flavors of their preferred herbs or oils. This is facilitated rather effortlessly by bongs. Dense clouds rich in the chosen flavor are delivered swiftly by water pipes without any elaborate prepping.

Types of Water Pipes

Broadly, there are three types of water pipes: bongs, dab rigs, and bubblers.

Bongs

Bongs are primarily for herbs. The simplest of all water pipes is the bong and it is perfect for dry herbs. The basic design has a tube with a designated chamber for water, a slanted stem with a bowl for the herbs, and a mouthpiece.

Dab Rigs

Dab rigs are for oils. These water pipes are for oil concentrates and waxes. The design and functionality are a tad more complicated than an ordinary bong. But, these can be just as lightweight and portable as bongs.

Bubblers

Bubblers are similar to a typical pipe. The noticeable difference is the water chamber, which is usually below the bowl.

Components of Water Pipes

All water pipes do not have the same number or types of components. The most common components of water pipes are: bowl, down stem, percolator, carburetor, base, and chamber or tube.

Bowl

The bowl is the herb holder. It is also the heat chamber. Bongs have a bowl. Dab rigs have nails or bangers.

Down Stem

The down stem connects the bowl and the water chamber.

Percolator

A percolator is the water filtration unit in a bong. There are different kinds of percolators used in bongs, dab rigs, and bubblers.

Carburetor

Carburetor, also known as carb, is the small hole in bongs that enables users to draw the generated smoke, or for the latter to get cleared on its own.

Base

Base is simply the bottommost feature of a bong or water pipe. It is the foundation. The material, shape and size of the base vary across designs and types of water pipes.

Chamber or Tube

The tube or chamber is the long portion of the water pipe, usually comprising both the filtration unit and the mouthpiece.

Common Materials used for Bongs

Most water pipes or bongs available these days are made of glass and quartz, acrylic, or silicone. A combination of two or more materials being used for a specific design is not uncommon.

Glass or Quartz

Glass bongs are very common. Most manufacturers use a mixture of glass and quartz. These two materials do not interfere with the quality or flavor of the smoke. Both materials are also effortlessly easy to clean.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a type of plastic. Acrylic bongs are very popular for two reasons. The first reason is price. Plastic bongs are considerably more affordable than glass and quartz bongs. The second reason is durability. Glass bongs are more fragile than acrylic water pipes, irrespective of the proportion of quartz in the mix.

Silicone

Silicone bongs are sturdier than glass water pipes. Silicone is also a highly flexible material, compared to glass or quartz. Plastic or acrylic can be flexed, but silicone has a superior texture and can stand the test of time.

Pros and Cons of Water Pipes

All smoking devices and accessories tend to have a few strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

• Water pipes or bongs deliver cool, clean and smooth smoke.
• Bongs can be used for a prolonged period of time.
• The water filter absorbs the tar produced by combustion of herbs.
• Bongs are easy to clean and maintain.
• Bongs come in a plethora of designs, colors, shapes, and sizes.

Cons

• The smoke, when not inhaled, can quickly turn stale inside the tube.
• A bong loaded with water is not effortlessly portable.
• The used water should be replaced sooner than later.
• Cleaning and maintenance should be frequent.

How to use a Bong

Fill the base of a bong with some water, submerging up to half an inch of the bottom end of the down stem. Grind some dry herbs, pack the bowl, and place it onto the down stem. Light the bowl, and as you do so, use the mouthpiece to inhale. Smoke will fill up the chamber in no time and you can start drawing the hits.

Wholesale Water Pipes and Bongs

Shop for water pipes and bongs at wholesale prices. Explore the ever expanding collection, comprising all types of water pipes & bongs, and accessories.