MAIN PARTS OF A GLASS BONG:
· Downstem: A removable tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber, channeling smoke into the water for cooling. Some bongs have a built-in stem (stemless bongs) instead of a removable downstem. If your downstem breaks, make sure the replacement fits properly, as mismatched sizes can be a common issue. Phoenix Star offers a guide to help you find the right downstem.
Along with the essential parts, some bongs come with extra features to level up your smoking experience:
· Percolator/perc: Percs add an extra layer of filtration, cooling the smoke and making your hits smoother and cleaner.
· Ice Catcher: Lets you drop in ice cubes to chill the smoke even more, cutting down on throat irritation. Ice catchers come in various styles, like 3-pinch, round holes, etc. They also help keep water from splashing up while you smoke.
BONG JOINT
Let’s talk about the joint—The joint is where bong parts connect, and the number of joints depends on how many removable pieces there are. It is one of the most important parts of a bong, especially when you’re buying separate accessories. Joint compatibility is key.
Joint Gender:
You may hear about male and female joints.
Male Joint: This sticks out and fits into a female joint, kind of like the end of a screw.
Female Joint: This has a recessed opening that fits over the male joint, like the nut that screws onto a bolt.
Common joint sizes include 14mm, 18mm, and 34mm, though you might see slightly different numbers like 14.4mm or 18.8mm—they’re the same thing. Sometimes, people even refer to their bong by the joint size, like calling it an "18mm bong." Making sure your joints match up is super important when picking out new parts!
TYPES OF BONGS
Glass bongs come in various styles, including straight tube bongs, beaker bongs, percolator bongs, glycerin bongs, and dab rigs. The classification can vary depending on what features are considered. For example, a bong with a straight base and a percolator might be called both a straight tube bong and a percolator bong (often just called a perc bong).
Each type of bong has its own unique features, which we’ll cover in detail under their respective categories. You can click the words to jump straight to the information you’re interested in.
GLASS THICKNESS
The thickness of the glass in water pipes directly impacts the quality, durability, and weight of the bong. Most common glass bongs on the market are typically 5mm thick, which is sufficient for most users. If you’re concerned about breakage, you might want to consider thicker options, like 7mm or 9mm. At Phoenix Star, we offer a variety of thicknesses to suit your needs.
DETACHABLE vs. ONE-PIECE BONGS
Detachable Bongs: These bongs consist of multiple parts connected by joints, making them easier to clean. You can mix and match different components like the downstem or bowl, allowing for customization and upgrades to suit your preferences. If a part gets lost or broken, you can usually replace just that specific piece without needing to buy a whole new bong.
One-Piece Bongs: With a simple, all-in-one design and no removable parts, one-piece bongs are straightforward to use and put together. They tend to feel sturdier and more stable during use. Plus, with fewer parts to worry about, there’s less risk of mismatched components affecting performance.
BONG CLEANING
Regular cleaning helps prevent clogs, keeps your bong working smoothly, and ensures a cleaner, more enjoyable smoking experience. So, how do you clean a glass bong? Here's a step by step guide:
Materials Needed:
- Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher)
- Coarse salt (like sea salt or Epsom salt)
- Plastic bags or stoppers
- Pipe cleaners or cotton swabs
- Warm water
Cleaning Steps:
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Disassemble the Bong: Remove all removable parts, such as the bowl and downstem. This will allow you to clean each part thoroughly.
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Rinse with Warm Water: Rinse the bong, bowl, and downstem with warm water to remove loose debris. Be careful not to use boiling water, as it could crack the glass.
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Add Alcohol and Salt: Pour isopropyl alcohol and a generous amount of salt into the bong’s water chamber. The salt acts as an abrasive to scrub away resin, while the alcohol dissolves it.
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Shake Vigorously: Cover all openings with plastic bags or stoppers, then shake the bong for a few minutes. Make sure to keep a good grip to avoid any accidents.
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Clean the Bowl and Downstem: Place the bowl and downstem in separate plastic bags with alcohol and salt. Shake them thoroughly or use pipe cleaners to scrub hard-to-reach areas.
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Rinse Everything: Rinse all parts with warm water to remove any remaining alcohol and salt.
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Dry Completely: Let all parts air dry or use a paper towel to ensure they’re completely dry before reassembling.