Bongs Explained

Bongs Explained: Types, Parts and How They Work

A bong is an upright water pipe that filters and cools smoke through a water chamber before inhalation. It has a cone piece, a stem, a water chamber and a mouthpiece and comes in glass, silicone, beaker and other styles.

What is a bong?

A bong is a water filtered pipe used to smoke herbs. It draws smoke through a water chamber that cools and filters it first, giving you a smoother hit than a dry pipe or joint.

How does a bong work?

When you light the herb in the cone and inhale, air (followed by smoke) is pulled through the hole at the bottom of the cone piece and down the stem into the water chamber. The smoke is filtered through the water and then travels up the tube to your mouth.

• Water filtration: This is what differentiates a bong from a pipe. The water in the chamber cools down the temperature of the smoke and filters ash and other particles before they reach your lungs. Without the water filtering your smoke, you will experience hotter and harsher hits. Water filtration is the one feature that all bongs have in common.
• Percolators: This is a secondary filtration system which helps break down the smoke into smaller bubbles which ultimately makes more contact with the water and hence your smoke is filtered even more. Having more diffusion will deliver smoother and cooler hits but there will be more cleaning involved. Common styles include tree, honeycomb, jelly fish and circ percolators. Browse our full range of percolator bongs.
• Ice Catchers: These refer to the glass pinches which are built into the neck of the bong and hold ice cubes. Combined with the water chamber, ice catchers cool the smoke even further. Ice catchers work differently to percolators. Percolators will filter your smoke further, whereas ice catchers cool it. An ice catcher is simpler, more affordable cooling option compared to a percolator.

All bongs offer a degree of water filtration. Small bongs will offer less filtration than larger bongs. Percolators offer more complex filtration, whereas ice catchers offer a cheaper cooling sensation. These can be combined into a percolator bong which also has ice catchers for ultimate filtration and cooling.

Parts of a bong:

Knowing your different bong parts is not only important from a smoking point of view but it will also assist you in your buying decision, cleaning of your bong and replacing lost or damaged parts. Refer to the diagram below when reading about each part.

• Cone piece: This is where your herb is packed and lit and is the starting point of the airflow – good airflow from the start is important for a consistent and quality smoke. The cone is the most commonly lost or broken part of your bong. Glass cones are pulled from the stem to clear the smoke from the chamber. Browse our range of cone pieces  for glass and metal options.
• Stem: The stem connects the cone piece to the water chamber and carries the smoke down into the water for filtration. What is the difference between an open stem and a diffused stem? An open stem is most common in metal stems, whereas glass stems are usually diffused meaning that they contain small slits near the opening for more bubbles and ultimately more filtration.
• Water chamber: This is the main body of the bong which holds the water where the smoke is filtered. It’s important to note that level of water is really important, if there is too little water then you will not get enough filtration but if there is too much water, you risk water going up the stem or through the mouthpiece and into your mouth.
• Percolator: This is the secondary filtration chamber and is usually either built into the main chamber or sits just above it. For a full explanation of how percolators work, see the percolator section above.
• Ash catcher: This is the removable glass add-on which sits between the cone piece and the stem. Its main purpose is to trap ash before it reaches the main chamber. This makes cleaning much easier and also adds an extra filtration stage.
• Ice catcher: These are the glass pinches in the neck of the bong which hold ice cubes for extra cooling.
• Mouthpiece: This is located at the top of the tube where you place your lips to inhale. Some bongs have flared rims and others have straight rims. These options provide different comfort and seals.

When buying replacement glass parts, the joint size matters. A 14mm cone piece will not fit into a 19mm stem so you need to check your joint sizes. If your cone piece or stem breaks, you do not have to buy a new bong – buy only the replacement parts.

Types of bongs:

Each type has a different shape which affects airflow, stability, filtration and the look - the right type is personal choice and also takes into account the material and size.

• Beaker bongs: These contain a wide flared conical base which offer more water compared to a straight tube bong for better filtration and stability – they are also harder to tip over. Medium and large beaker bongs are better suited for home use on a stable flat surface. These bongs are usually easy to clean as they have a simple shape with no complex percolators.
• Straight tube bongs: The classic cylinder shape produces more direct airflow. The straight tube bong holds less water than a beaker bong, resulting in less filtration but stronger, more direct hits. This is a good choice for experienced smokers who prefer a strong direct hit.
• Percolator bongs: Percolator bongs have a secondary filtration chamber built into the design rather than added on. These come in a wide range of styles including honeycomb, tree and showerhead percolators - each diffusing smoke differently for smoother and cooler hits. 
• Silicone bongs: Silicone bongs are virtually unbreakable, making them perfect for travel and outdoor use. A great beginner friendly option that's easy to clean and budget friendly.
• Mini bongs: Compact and simple, mini bongs are great for beginners or as a backup. Easy to use, easy to clean and ideal for quick sessions.
• Novelty bongs: This is a great option for something different or as a gift and include skull, army and glow in the dark designs.
• Gravity bongs: These bongs use water pressure rather than lung pressure to fill the chamber with smoke. This produces a much stronger draw compared to standard water filtration. 

What size bong should you choose?

The right bong size depends on where you'll use it, how smooth you want your hits and how often you're willing to clean it.

• Mini bongs (under 15cm): Mini bongs are discreet and are ideal for travel, solo sessions and beginners looking for a cheap option. A mini bong is small enough to fit into your bag or drawer and is the easiest to store when not using it. The trade-off for a mini portable bong is less water which means less filtration and cooling. A mini bong with an ice catcher can partially compensate for the reduced filtration from the smaller water chamber.
• Small bongs (15-20cm): Small bongs are a step up from mini bongs, there is a bit more water and you will notice the smoother hit. Small bongs are great for home use and solo sessions and they are still easy to clean.
• Medium bongs (25cm): Medium bongs are the most common and versatile size, they sit somewhere between portability and performance. The water chamber is large enough for descent filtration without having to commit to a larger more expensive bong. Medium bongs are perfect for regular home use and can comfortably be paired with a double chamber or ash catcher without becoming too hard to clean.
• Large bongs (30cm+): The larger the bong, the more the water capacity and the smoother and cooler the hits. Large bongs are usually fitted with percolators for more complex diffusion and ultimate filtration. The trade-off of large bongs is less portability and more cleaning involved. These bongs are ideal for home use and group sessions.

How to choose a bong:

Choosing the right bong comes down to 4 things: the material it's made from, the size that suits your lifestyle, the level of filtration you want and your budget.

Material: 

• Borosilicate glass: This is the standard which most decent bongs are made from, offering a crisp and pure taste. Most borosilicate bongs are transparent which allows you to view the inner workings of your bong and are also super durable with the right care. Borosilicate joints will typically last longer than cheaper alternatives.
• Soda lime glass: These glass bongs are cheaper to buy but are slightly less heat resistant and there is a higher risk of cracking due to temperature changes and bumps or knocks. This is a great option for beginners or as a backup. Browse our full range of glass bongs.
• Silicone: This travel friendly bong is virtually unbreakable and is relatively easy to clean. The trade-off is that it lacks that pure flavour and will not look as clean and crisp compared to glass.
• Acrylic: This budget friendly bong is super lightweight but will degrade over time which will affect the quality and flavour of your smoke.

The type of material you choose will have an effect on the long-term durability and smoking experience. If there is one area to avoid budgeting, we recommend it’s when choosing the material of your bong.

Size:

The size of your bong affects the portability, level of filtration, cleaning requirement, so we recommend picking a bong size which matches your lifestyle, not what looks impressive. For a full breakdown of each size and its trade-offs, see the bong size section above.

Filtration:

• Entry level bongs contain a standard water chamber which is simple to use, easy to clean and ideal for beginners.
• Mid-level glass bongs usually make use of a diffused stem which provides more bubbles and better filtration. It is still simple to maintain and clean.
• Advanced glass bongs usually contain a percolator such as a honeycomb, tree, showerhead design, etc which provides maximum smoothness but is harder to keep clean.
• Ice catcher bongs are an affordable upgrade from entry level bongs and usually work alongside any of the above.

It’s important to match the filtration level with your willingness to clean – an advanced multi-level percolator bong which is hardly ever cleaned will give you a worse result compared to a basic bong which is regularly cleaned. Explore our percolator bongs. 

Budget:

• Entry level bong ($20-$40): This is good for a first bong or as a back-up and will usually be made from acrylic, cheap soda-lime glass or silicone.
• Mid-level bong ($40-$100): This is the sweet spot for most people between durability, portability, filtration and budget and is usually made from borosilicate glass.
• Premium bong ($100+): This is a long-term investment and is usually made from thick borosilicate, a multi-perc setup and quality joints and seals.

The right bong should match how you actually smoke and not how you imagine that you might smoke. We don’t recommend buying the cheapest bong and also don’t assume that the most expensive bong is the best.

Not sure where to start? Here's a quick guide based on your experience level:

• Beginners on a budget: Small soda-lime or borosilicate glass, basic water chamber and under $40
• Regular smoker: Medium borosilicate glass, diffused stem or basic percolator ($40-$100)
• Experienced smoker: Large borosilicate glass with multiple percolators ($100+)

How to use a bong?

Using a bong correctly comes down to 3 things: the right water level, a properly packed cone piece and controlled airflow.

• Step 1 Fill the water chamber: There should be enough water in the chamber to cover the bottom of the stem by about 1-2cm – just enough to submerge the base of the stem. Too little water and the smoke won't filter properly. Too much and water risks coming up through the stem or into the mouthpiece. If you are using an ash catcher, fill it with water separately and check the water level in that too.
• Step 2 Add ice (optional): If your bong contains an ice catcher then fill it with cubes of ice after filling with water. The ice cubes sit in between the glass pinches and are not supposed to mix with the water.
• Step 3: Grind and pack the cone piece: Grind and pack your herb evenly and to a medium consistency for consistent airflow. If packed into the cone piece unevenly, this could create patchy and uneven burns. Pack lightly and evenly. If packed too tightly, airflow becomes restricted and harder to pull. Don't overfill - leave a small gap between the herb and the rim.
• Step 4 Insert the cone piece: Insert the cone piece firmly into the stem or ash catcher – if it is too loose then you will most likely experience air leaks which will ultimately reduce the quality of your smoke.
• Step 5 Light and inhale: Hold the flame to the edge of the cone piece and move it around in a circular motion to get an even burn – don’t hold it in the middle of the cone piece as this will only burn in the centre. Inhale slowly and steadily pull the smoke through the water chamber for a consistent smoke.
• Step 6 Clear the chamber: Remove the glass cone piece from the stem or take your finger off the carb hole to open airflow and clear the smoke. Some bongs have a carb hole on the side of the chamber instead of a removable cone - cover it while drawing, then release it to clear the chamber. The longer you leave smoke in the chamber, the harsher it will be.
• Step 7 Empty and rinse after use: Empty and rinse with warm water after every session to prevent resin hardening. For a deeper clean, use isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt or a dedicated glass cleaning solution. Browse our bong cleaning supplies. 

How to clean a bong?

A clean bong performs better. Resin and grime build-up restricts airflow, affects flavour and makes every hit harsher than it should be.

How often should you clean your bong:

Empty the water and rinse after every session. Stagnant water left sitting will breed bacteria and ruin the flavour of next smoke. For a light clean, use isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt or a glass cleaning solution every one to two weeks. Perform a deep clean monthly or whenever airflow is noticeably affected.

What you need:

• Isopropyl alcohol (90%+): The higher the alcohol percentage, the faster the resin and dirt dissolves.
• Coarse salt: this acts as an abrasive to clean resin without scratching glass
• Pipe cleaners or cleaning brushes: Helps you reach tight spots
• Glass cleaning solution (as an alternative): fast and no mixing required

Browse our bong cleaning supplies 

Basic cleaning method (step by step):

1. Disassemble your bong by removing the cone piece and stem so that each piece gets cleaned individually.
2. Empty any water and rinse with warm water to loosen resin and grime before the actual clean.
3. Add isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt or a glass cleaning solution to the main water chamber.
4. Seal all openings and shake it well.
5. Use a bong cleaning brush to get into the main water chamber and neck and a pipe cleaner to reach those smaller spaces such as the slits in the diffused stem or percolators.
6. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
7. Allow all parts to fully air dry before putting them back together.

Glass care tips:

Use warm water and avoid boiling water - sudden temperature changes can crack glass even borosilicate. Properly annealed borosilicate joints handle heat changes better than soda-lime glass, but no glass is immune to extreme temperature change.

Ash catcher maintenance:

The ash catcher collects the most resin and ash of any part on your bong so cleaning this part every session or two will keep it performing well and help filter out the undesirables. Keeping this part clean ensures that your bong will be cleaner long term and easier to maintain.

For a complete step by step cleaning guide including how to clean percolator bongs and diffused stems, read our full How to clean a bong guide.

FAQ:

Q: How does a bong work?
A: bong cools and filters smoke through water. You light the herb in the cone, draw the smoke down the stem, and it bubbles up through the water before you breathe it in through the mouthpiece. The water removes some of the heat and ash, so the hit feels smoother.

Q: What are the main parts of a bong?
A: Most bongs have a mouthpiece, a neck, a water chamber, a down stem and a cone (the bowl). Larger bongs may also have a percolator, an ice catcher or an ash catcher for extra cooling and filtering.

Q: What does a percolator do?
A: A percolator is an extra piece of glass that breaks the smoke into smaller bubbles as it passes through the water. More bubbles means more cooling, so the smoke feels smoother.

Q: What is an ice catcher?
A: An ice catcher is a pinch in the neck that holds ice cubes. The smoke passes the ice on its way up and cools down further for a smoother hit.

Q: What is the difference between a bong and a water pipe?
A: They are the same thing. Water pipe is the broader name, and bong is the everyday word most people use in Australia.

Q: How do you clean a bong?
A: Empty the water, add warm water with a little isopropyl alcohol and a spoon of salt, then shake and rinse well. Cleaning every few uses keeps it tasting fresh.