If you are looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite herbs or tobacco, you might want to try using a glass bong with concentrates, oils, or wax. These are different forms of cannabis extracts that have high potency and flavor. However, they also require higher temperatures or different methods of consumption than regular dry herbs. In this blog post, we will explain how to use a glass bong with concentrates, oils, or wax, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of this method.
What are concentrates, oils, and wax?
Concentrates, oils, and wax are terms that refer to various types of cannabis extracts that have been processed to remove excess plant material and retain the active compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes. They can have different textures, colors, and consistencies, depending on the extraction method and the quality of the source material. Some of the most common types of concentrates are:
- Shatter: A hard, brittle, and translucent extract that has a glass-like appearance. It is usually made with butane or CO2 extraction and has high THC levels.
- Budder: A soft, creamy, and spreadable extract that has a butter-like consistency. It is usually made with butane extraction and has high terpene levels.
- Wax: A sticky, crumbly, and waxy extract that has a honeycomb-like texture. It is usually made with butane extraction and has high THC levels.
- Crumble: A dry, flaky, and crumbly extract that has a cookie-like texture. It is usually made with butane extraction and has high THC levels.
- Rosin: A solid, sappy, and resinous extract that has a amber-like color. It is usually made with heat and pressure extraction and has high THC levels.
- Oil: A liquid, viscous, and oily extract that has a golden or dark color. It is usually made with ethanol or CO2 extraction and has high THC or CBD levels.
- Distillate: A clear, pure, and potent extract that has been further refined to remove all impurities and retain only the desired cannabinoids. It is usually made with fractional distillation and has very high THC or CBD levels.
All of these concentrates can be used with a glass bong, but they have different melting points and vaporization temperatures. Therefore, you need to adjust your heating method accordingly to avoid wasting your product or burning your throat.
What is a glass bong?
A glass bong is a type of water pipe that is used to smoke dry herbs or tobacco. It consists of a bowl where you pack your material, a stem that connects the bowl to the water chamber, a percolator that filters and cools the smoke through water, and a mouthpiece where you inhale the smoke. Glass bongs come in different shapes, sizes, designs, and features. Some of the benefits of using a glass bong are:
- Better filtration: The water in the bong helps to remove some of the tar, ash, and toxins from the smoke, making it smoother and cleaner.
- Better cooling: The water in the bong also helps to lower the temperature of the smoke, making it less harsh and more enjoyable.
- Better flavor: The water in the bong preserves some of the terpenes and flavonoids from the herbs or tobacco, enhancing their taste and aroma.
- Better potency: The water in the bong does not reduce the potency of the herbs or tobacco, as some people might think. In fact, it allows you to inhale larger amounts of smoke at once, increasing the effects.
However, using a glass bong also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Maintenance: The water in the bong needs to be changed regularly to prevent bacteria growth and bad odors. The glass parts also need to be cleaned frequently to remove resin buildup and stains.
- Bulkiness: The glass bong can be quite large and heavy compared to other smoking devices. It is not very portable or discreet for traveling or outdoor use.
- Fragility: The glass bong can be easily broken if dropped or mishandled. It is not very durable or resistant to shocks or scratches.
How to use a glass bong with concentrates, oils, or wax?
To use a glass bong with concentrates, oils, or wax, you need to modify it slightly to accommodate the different heating method and the different consistency of the extracts. You can either use a special attachment called a dab nail or a regular bowl with a metal screen. Here are the steps to follow for each option:
Using a dab nail
- Choose a dab nail that fits your glass bong. There are different types of dab nails, such as quartz, titanium, ceramic, or glass. They also have different shapes, such as domeless, domed, or e-nail. The most important thing is to make sure the dab nail matches the joint size and gender of your bong.
- Replace the bowl of your bong with the dab nail. Make sure it is securely attached and aligned.
- Heat the dab nail with a butane torch until it glows red. Be careful not to overheat it or touch it with your fingers.
- Let the dab nail cool down for a few seconds until it reaches the optimal temperature for your concentrate. You can use a thermometer or a timer to measure the temperature. Generally, lower temperatures (around 300-400°F) produce more flavor and smoother hits, while higher temperatures (around 500-700°F) produce more vapor and stronger effects.
- Use a dab tool to scoop a small amount of your concentrate, oil, or wax. The size of your dab depends on your preference and tolerance, but usually a rice-grain-sized dab is enough for most people.
- Place the dab on the heated dab nail and inhale through the mouthpiece of the bong. If your dab nail has a dome, cover it with the dome before inhaling. If your dab nail is domeless, you can use a carb cap to cover it and create more vapor.
- Exhale and enjoy the effects of your concentrate, oil, or wax.
- Clean the dab nail with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol after each use to prevent residue buildup and maintain its performance.
Using a regular bowl
- Choose a regular bowl that fits your glass bong. Make sure it has a hole at the bottom that is not too large or too small.
- Place a metal screen over the hole of the bowl. This will prevent your concentrate, oil, or wax from falling through or clogging the stem of the bong.
- Pack some dry herbs or tobacco on top of the metal screen. This will act as a base layer for your concentrate, oil, or wax.
- Sprinkle some of your concentrate, oil, or wax on top of the dry herbs or tobacco. Do not use too much or it will melt and drip into the water chamber of the bong.
- Light the bowl with a lighter or a hemp wick and inhale through the mouthpiece of the bong. Do not torch the bowl too much or you will burn your concentrate, oil, or wax and waste your product.
- Exhale and enjoy the effects of your concentrate, oil, or wax mixed with your dry herbs or tobacco.
- Clean the bowl and the metal screen with alcohol after each use to prevent residue buildup and maintain its performance.
Conclusion
Using a glass bong with concentrates, oils, or wax can be a fun and rewarding way to experience cannabis extracts. However, it also requires some extra equipment and care to ensure optimal results
