BONGS & WATER PIPES

Bongs, also known as water pipes or water bongs, are popular devices for smoking flowers, tobacco, or other dry herbs. There are various smoking tools available, such as bongs, hand pipes, and joints, each offering its own unique experience and advantage. However, if you’re health-conscious and worried about impurities in your smoke, a bong is an excellent choice. it uses water to filter out more particulates and tar and to cool the smoke, resulting in a cleaner, smoother, and less harsh smoking experience for your lungs and throat.
 

Page Content List:

MAIN PARTS OF A GLASS BONG
TYPES OF BONGS
GLASS THICKNESS
DETACHABLE vs. ONE-PIECE BONGS
GlASS BONG CLEANING
7 TOP FAQ

Water bongs are usually made from materials like glass, ceramic, or silicone. Glass water pipes are a favorite because they deliver smooth hits, look great, are easy to clean, and provide a pure taste. Made from durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass, they’re often the go-to for quality pieces.
 

MAIN PARTS OF A GLASS BONG

· Water Chamber: This part holds the water that cools and filters the smoke, giving you a smoother hit.

· Base: The bottom section of the water pipe, providing the stability needed to keep everything upright. 
· 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.

· Bowl: This is where you pack your herbs or tobacco, typically sitting on top of the downstem. but for stemless bongs, the bowl connects directly to the bong’s joint.

· Mouthpiece: The top part that you inhale from, making direct contact with your mouth. Some glass piece have detachable mouthpieces for easier cleaning or customization.

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.

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.

GlASS 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:

    1. Disassemble the Bong: Remove all removable parts, such as the bowl and downstem. This will allow you to clean each part thoroughly.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. 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.

    5. 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.
    6.  Rinse Everything : Rinse all parts with warm water to remove any remaining alcohol and salt.

    7. Dry Completely: Let all parts air dry or use a paper towel to ensure they’re completely dry before reassembling.

What's the best way to clean my glass bong when it's really dirty?

A great way to deep clean your bong is to use 98% isopropyl alcohol (ISO). Just fill up all sections of the bong with it, let it soak for a bit, then shake it up. The alcohol will dissolve most of the resin and grime. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner to speed up the process, as the suction could damage the glass.

  Can I use CLR or something similar to clean my bong?

  While CLR is awesome for getting rid of tough stains like rust and mineral deposits, it's not ideal for cleaning a bong. CLR contains strong chemicals that may leave harmful residues, even after a good rinse. It’s safer to stick with ISO and salt, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. If you want to keep things looking fresh, consider dedicated bong cleaning solutions designed for this purpose.
 

  How often should I clean my bong?

  Ideally after every session, but at least once a week. You’ll notice a difference in taste and how smooth the hits are when your bong’s clean. If you want to cut down on how often you clean your glass bong, I recommend getting an ash catcher. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How much water should I put in my bong?

Just enough to cover the slits or holes in the downstem. Too much water, and it messes with the airflow. Not enough, and you’re not filtering the smoke properly.

2. Why is a glass bong better than a silicone or ceramic bong?

 Glass just gives you a cleaner hit. Plus, you can see the smoke build-up. Silicone’s great for travel or if you’re clumsy, but glass has that premium feel and taste.

3. As a newbie, how to buy a glass bong?

 If you're using concentrates, go for a dab rig. For dry herbs, start with a 12-14 inch beaker or straight tube bong, ideally around 5mm thick—it's durable without being too heavy. And don’t overlook percolators; they cool the smoke for a smoother hit!

4. How do different sizes of glass bongs affect the smoking experience?

The size of a bong can influence various aspects of your experience, like smoke capacity, drag (the pull resistance), and ease of cleaning and storage. Taller bongs can hold more smoke, but they usually require more effort to pull a hit. If you’re new to bongs, a 10-12 inch (about 25-30 cm) straight tube bong is a great starting point—it’s manageable and perfect for everyday use.

5. Do I need a percolator in my water pipe?

You don’t need one, but it definitely helps. Percs add extra filtration and cool the smoke down even more. If you like super smooth hits, it’s worth getting a bong with one.

6. Do I need a water bong if I already have a vaporizer?

Not essential, but it’s a great upgrade. A vaporizer already gives you cleaner, cooler vapor with adjustable temperature settings for precise control over your hit. Adding a bong enhances this by providing extra cooling and filtration, which makes the hits even smoother and reduces the harshness

7. What should I do if the joint of my glass bong won’t come apart?

If you find that the joint on your glass bong is stuck, here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1.1. Apply Gentle Heat:

     Warm Water: Submerge the stuck joint in warm (not hot) water for a few minutes. This can help expand the glass slightly, making it easier to separate.

     Hair Dryer: Use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to warm the joint area. Be careful not to overheat the glass

1.2. Try cooling: 

     Ice Pack: Place an ice pack or ice cubes around the joint. The cold can cause the glass to contract slightly, which might help loosen the joint.

1.3. Use Lubrication:  

     Lubricant: Apply a small amount of food-grade lubricant, such as olive oil, around the joint. This can help reduce friction and make it easier to pull apart.

1.4. Gently Twist:

     Rotate Slowly: Try gently twisting the joint while pulling it apart. This can help break the friction that’s causing it to stick.

1.5. Use the “Grass Yard Trick”:

     Place the bong upside down on a grass yard to protect it from direct impacts. Use a wooden spoon to lightly tap the base of the bong. The vibrations and gentle impact can help loosen the stuck joint. Be cautious and watch your feet when things fall out.

1.6. Seek Professional Help:

     If none of the above methods work, consider seeking help from a professional glass repair shop or a specialty store.