If you enjoy smoking herbs or tobacco from a glass bong, you might be looking for ways to make your hits smoother and cooler. One of the common methods is to add ice cubes to the bong, but this can have some drawbacks, such as melting and overflowing the water chamber, adding extra weight and length to the bong, and diluting the flavor of your smoke. A better alternative is to use ice or glycerin tubes, which are special attachments that can cool down the smoke without affecting the water level or the taste of your herbs or tobacco. In this blog post, we will explain what ice or glycerin tubes are, how they work, and how to use them properly.
What are ice or glycerin tubes?
Ice or glycerin tubes are cylindrical glass attachments that have a spiral coil inside. They can be attached to the top of your glass bong, replacing the neck and mouthpiece. The space inside the cylinder is filled with either ice or glycerin, a non-toxic fluid made of fatty acids that is commonly used in cosmetics and food products.
Ice tubes are simply filled with ice cubes that you can freeze in your freezer. They are easy to use and cheap to make, but they also have some disadvantages. For example, they can melt quickly and drip water into your bong, they can be hard to fit into some bongs, and they can make your hits too cold and harsh.
Glycerin tubes are filled with glycerin that can freeze quickly and stay colder longer than ice. They are more expensive and harder to find than ice tubes, but they also have some advantages. For example, they do not melt or drip water into your bong, they can fit into most bongs, and they can make your hits cool and smooth without being too cold.
How do ice or glycerin tubes work?
Ice or glycerin tubes work by cooling down the smoke as it passes through the coil inside the cylinder. The coil increases the surface area of contact between the smoke and the cold material, transferring heat from the smoke to the ice or glycerin. The longer the coil, the more cooling effect it has. The coil also acts as a filter, trapping some of the tar and ash from the smoke.
The result is a smoother and cooler hit that preserves the flavor and potency of your herbs or tobacco. You can enjoy a more pleasant smoking experience without coughing or burning your throat.
How to use ice or glycerin tubes?
To use an ice or glycerin tube, you need to attach it to your glass bong. Depending on the type of bong you have, you may need to remove the neck and mouthpiece first, or simply insert the tube into the joint on top of the base. Make sure the connection is secure and airtight.
Before using an ice tube, you need to fill it with ice cubes and freeze it in your freezer for a few hours. You can tell when it is ready by shaking it gently and listening for the sound of ice rattling inside. If there is no sound, it means the ice has melted and you need to refill it.
Before using a glycerin tube, you need to freeze it in your freezer for 2-4 hours, depending on the size of your tube. You can tell when it is ready by looking at the bubble inside the tube. If it moves slowly or not at all, it means the glycerin is frozen and ready to use.
Once your tube is ready, attach it to your bong and fill the base with water as usual. Pack your bowl with your favorite herb or tobacco and light it up. Inhale slowly and deeply through the tube and enjoy the cool and smooth smoke.
How to clean ice or glycerin tubes?
To keep your ice or glycerin tube working well, you need to clean it regularly. The coil can get clogged with resin and debris from the smoke over time, affecting the airflow and flavor of your hits.
To clean an ice tube, you just need to rinse it with warm water and soap after each use. You can also soak it in alcohol and salt for a deeper cleaning if needed.
To clean a glycerin tube, you need to use alcohol and salt as well. Place the tube in a Ziploc bag and cover it with isopropyl alcohol (95% or higher). Add some salt, preferably coarse and small enough to fit through the coil. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously for a few minutes, letting the solution pass through the coil. Leave the tube to soak for 15-30 minutes, or longer if it is very dirty. Shake the bag again and rinse the tube with warm water. Repeat the process until the tube is clean.
Conclusion
Ice or glycerin tubes are great accessories for glass bongs that can enhance your smoking experience. They can cool down the smoke without diluting it, making your hits smoother and more flavorful. They are easy to use and maintain, as long as you follow the instructions above. If you are looking for a way to upgrade your bong, you should definitely give ice or glycerin tubes a try.
