You’re a smoker who’s been hearing amazing things about water pipes, but you’re still hesitant to try them out yourself? The wide range of options confuses you? You’re not even sure how to use one?
You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about glass bongs before you start using them in your daily life.
So, without any further ado, here are our top 6 things to know before using water pipes for the first time.
1. They’ll provide you with a different smoking experience
The smoke produced by consuming traditional tobacco products can be quite harsh on our throat and lungs. It’s probably the worst aspect of smoking cigars and cigarettes overall.
With water pipes, the sensations will be completely different: the water cools down the smoke before it reaches your mouth. For those who’re not used to it, it may come as a surprise at the beginning. It’s one of the biggest reasons why many smokers decide to invest in these tools.
Even so, it’s important to know what to expect when using the glass bong for the first time in your life. It won’t feel the same as traditional tobacco products – that’s for certain.
2. Size does matter!
Water pipes come in different sizes.
The smallest models are quite popular nowadays, as they’re easily portable.
You can carry them around with ease – they’re suitable for people who enjoy smoking on the go. Their biggest downside is that they’re unable to provide you with the smoothest smoking experience due to the lack of filtering (there’s simply not enough space for multiple filtering tools).
Medium-sized bongs offer the best balance between functionality and compactness. You won’t be able to carry them around as easily, but they’ll still fit inside a larger backpack. They provide a smoother experience than their small-sized counterparts.
Last but not the least, there are large bongs you can invest in if all you care about is getting the most out of your smoking experience. Nothing beats the large water pipes in that regard! They are, however, not portable at all, which can be an issue for some smokers.
The size you choose majorly depends on your specific needs and requirements – there are no wrong choices! Think about your smoking goals and you’ll be able to find something that suits you in no time whatsoever.
3. Water pipes come with different features
While all bongs have a mouthpiece, neck, base, and chamber, some of them have additional features that might be worth looking into. For example, if you prefer chilly, smooth hits – you should look for a water pipe with an ice catcher. Similar logic applies to glycerin coils.
Besides that, there are many different types of glass bongs available on the market. Going over all of them would require an article of its own, so we encourage you to do your research online. For starters, you can visit smokea and other similar vendors to read more about the water pipe models offered on the market.
Either way, before you start using a glass bong, make sure you’ve done your research on its features – it’s the best way to find something that fits your smoking style.
4. You should not overfill the chamber if you’re a beginner
Using a water pipe is quite straightforward: place it on an even surface, put your mouth on the mouthpiece, light the herbs, and start inhaling. The key to making the most out of your smoking experience is by taking things slowly at the beginning. As you ignite the herbs, you’ll notice the chamber filling up with smoke. Let it fill only halfway at the beginning (simply remove the lighter as soon as you notice the chamber is filling up).
You don’t have to overdo it when it’s your first time using the bong. Allow your body to get used to the sensations – there’s no need to rush. Once you begin feeling more comfortable with the device itself, feel free to experiment by taking deeper inhales.
5. Buy your water pipes from a trusted source
Your first water pipe should be of the highest possible quality. Don’t go for the cheapest option out there – if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is so. Now, we’re not saying you should spend hundreds of dollars on your first bong either – just make sure you’re purchasing it from a trusted vendor.
Read every review and rating you can find, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from your smoker friends either. As we’ve already mentioned before, doing your research is of the utmost importance when you’re buying a water pipe!
6. They require maintenance
Your water pipe should be cleaned as often as possible to retain its functionality. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper bong maintenance! It will only take you a couple of minutes to do this, as it’s a fairly simple process.
All you need to do this is some warm/hot water, isopropyl alcohol, and a bit of salt. You can find detailed guides online if you’re interested in learning more about water pipe maintenance. We suggest you look at a couple of YouTube tutorials before you attempt it yourself. Video guides are much more useful than worded explanations when it comes to water pipe cleaning, especially if yours is in a unique shape.
Either way, making sure your pipe remains clean and functional is of the utmost importance for achieving the smoothest possible smoking experience. Don’t forget to do it regularly.
The bottom line
All in all, there are many things every glass bong enjoyer should know before they start utilizing this incredible tool daily. In this article, we’ve covered quite a few of those including choosing the right size for your bong, how to clean it, and what to expect from using it for the first time.
We hope you found our short guide to be helpful and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.