What are the Best Types of Bongs
Water pipes, more commonly known as bongs, are a fantastic way to smoke your preferred herbal blend. There are several perks you will love, including filtration and diffusion. One of the coolest things about bongs is that they come in tons of styles and shapes, making it easy for anyone to find one that they love. Not only can you find hand-blown glass bongs, but they can also be made from silicone, ceramic, and even acrylic.
With so many options available, it is nearly impossible to determine which style is the best, as everyone has their own personal preferences. When it comes down to it, the best one varies from individual to individual based on your taste, wants, and needs. While we are not able to pick one as the best of the best, below we have put together a list of the more popular styles to help you determine which is best for you.
Ice Catcher Bongs
The main function of a bong is to allow the consumer to take larger hits with less discomfort on their throat and lungs. One of the ways this is done is by cooling the smoke. When you hit your bong, you pull the smoke through the downstem which is underneath the surface of the water. This action filters out carbon and resin as well as cooling off the smoke before you inhale it.
To further cool the smoke, you can use a bong that has an ice catcher. Just as you would expect from the name, you are able to place a few ice cubes in the neck of the bong without them falling into the base of the bong, into the water. Using an ice catcher is a simple process. You simply drop a few ice cubes into the neck of your bong and take your hit. As the smoke travels through the water and up through the body and neck of the bong, the ice cools off the smoke molecules as they pass and bump into the cubes, giving you a cool and refreshing hit each time.
Percolator Bongs
Another way that bongs relieve some of the harshness that comes with smoking is through diffusion. In addition to cooling the smoke, diffusion helps to further filter the smoke. A classic straw style downstem provides the minimum amount of filtration. A percolator bong typically utilizes a built-in downstem that connects to a diffuser that is located underneath the surface of the water. The way they work is that the smoke is pulled through the downstem and as it enters the water, the percolator breaks up the large bubbles into smaller bubbles through the process of diffusion. Percolators vary in styles but two of the more popular styles of percolators are a diffuser with slits and a honeycomb diffuser.
Gravity Bongs
If you have ever used a gravity bong at a party with your friends, you probably used a homemade one that was made out of recycled bottles. Say good-bye to the upcycled gravity bong days of college and say hello to a more grown-up version. Gravity bongs use a natural vacuum created by gravity to fill the chamber with smoke. Simply fill the bottom portion with water, load your bowl, and light it as you expand the body of the bong by slowly raising the top portion of the bong.
Ash Catcher Bongs
One of the best things about using a bong is that you do not have to deal with getting a mouthful of ash if the bowl pulls through during your hit. The water catches any green or burnt matter that falls through the downstem. The only downside to this is that the water needs to be replaced more frequently. Ash catchers do exactly what the name suggests - they collect any solid bits that travel out of your bowl, extending the life of your bong water. They are also great because you won’t lose any smokable bits to your bong water.
Glass Bongs
In addition to various styles of bongs, there are a few different materials your water pipe could be constructed from. Many people go with the classic and most popular variety: Glass. Whether you are shopping for a glass bong because you want a transparent smoking apparatus so you can watch the smoke swirl around in it or because you want a piece of functional yet beautiful art to add to your collection. Glass is easy to clean and it is non-toxic.
Silicone Bongs
If you are looking for a piece that is durable, heat resistant, and affordable, a silicone bong would be a great choice. Silicone is perfect if you like to smoke outside or if you find that you break pieces often. Even if you were to drop it on the sidewalk or knock it off of your table, it will not shatter or break. Silicone bongs come in a nearly endless array of colors and shapes so you can find the perfect bong to fit your personality. From bongs shaped like skulls to AK-47s, silicone can be used to form a wide range of shapes.