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If you are new to bongs, or if you want to improve your smoking experience, you might be wondering how much water you should put in your bong. The answer is not as simple as you might think, because different bongs have different designs, sizes, and features that affect the optimal water level. In this blog post, we will explain why the water level matters, how to find the right amount of water for your bong, and some tips and tricks to make your bong hits smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Does the Water Level Matter?
The main purpose of the water in a bong is to cool and filter the smoke, making it less harsh on your lungs and throat. The water also creates bubbles that aerate the smoke, enhancing its flavor and potency. However, if you put too much or too little water in your bong, you might not get the best results.
If there is too much water in your bong, you will have to inhale harder to pull the smoke through the water, which can be uncomfortable and tiring. You also run the risk of getting water in your mouth, which is not pleasant at all. Moreover, too much water can reduce the airflow and make your herb burn faster and unevenly.
If there is too little water in your bong, you will not get enough cooling and filtration, which can make the smoke harsher and more irritating. You will also miss out on the benefits of the percolators, if your bong has any, because they need to be submerged in water to work properly. Percolators are additional chambers or devices that create more bubbles and increase the surface area of the smoke, resulting in smoother and cleaner hits.
How to Find the Right Amount of Water for Your Bong?
The general rule of thumb is to put enough water to cover the downstem or the percolator openings, but not so much that it reaches the mouthpiece or splashes into your mouth. The downstem is the tube that connects the bowl where you put your herb or tobacco to the base of the bong where the water is. The percolator openings are the slits or holes that allow the smoke to pass through the water.
The exact amount of water will depend on the size and shape of your bong, as well as the type and number of percolators it has. Here are some guidelines for different types of bongs:
- For a regular bong without any percolators, you can pour water through the mouthpiece or through the downstem until it reaches about half an inch above the bottom of the downstem. If your downstem has slits at the base, make sure they are fully submerged.
- For a bong with one or more percolators, you can pour water through the mouthpiece until it fills up each chamber and submerges all of the openings. Some percolators are flat discs with small holes, such as honeycomb or vortex percs. For these types, you need to have at least half an inch of water above them.
- For a bong with an ice catcher or an ice pinch, you can add some ice cubes to cool down the smoke even more. However, you need to account for the ice melting and adding more water to your bong. Therefore, you should start with less water than usual and adjust as needed.
- For a bong with an ash catcher or a pre-cooler, you need to add water to both devices. An ash catcher is an attachment that catches ash and debris before they enter your bong, keeping it cleaner and improving the taste. A pre-cooler is similar but also cools down the smoke before it enters your bong. You should fill both devices with enough water to cover their openings or percs.
Tips and Tricks for Better Bong Hits
Now that you know how much water to put in your bong, here are some tips and tricks to make your smoking experience even better:
- Change your water regularly. Dirty water can harbor bacteria, mold, and unpleasant smells that can ruin your hits. You should change your water after every session or at least once a day.
- Clean your bong thoroughly. Besides changing your water, you should also clean your bong with alcohol and salt or a specialized cleaner every once in a while. This will remove any residue or buildup that can affect the airflow and flavor.
- Grind your herb or tobacco finely. This will allow for a more even and efficient burn, as well as a smoother and more flavorful smoke. You can use a grinder, a scissors, or your fingers to break up your material.
- Pack your bowl lightly. Don’t overfill your bowl or pack it too tightly, as this can restrict the airflow and make it harder to draw. You should leave some space for the air to circulate and the smoke to expand.
- Light your bowl evenly. Use a lighter or a hemp wick to light your bowl from the side, not from the center. This will help you avoid burning too much herb or tobacco at once and wasting it. You can also use a cornering technique, which means lighting only a small portion of the bowl and moving around as you smoke.
- Inhale slowly and steadily. Don’t inhale too fast or too hard, as this can cause the water to splash or the smoke to be too hot and harsh. You should inhale at a comfortable pace and fill your lungs gradually.
- Hold your hit briefly. Don’t hold your hit for too long, as this can cause more tar and toxins to deposit in your lungs. You should hold your hit for a few seconds and then exhale smoothly.
Conclusion
Bongs are great devices for smoking herb or tobacco, as they provide cool and filtered smoke that is easy on your lungs and throat. However, you need to know how much water to put in your bong to get the best results. The ideal amount of water is enough to cover the downstem or the percolator openings, but not so much that it reaches the mouthpiece or splashes into your mouth. The exact amount of water will vary depending on the size and shape of your bong, as well as the type and number of percolators it has. You can also use some tips and tricks to improve your bong hits, such as changing your water regularly, cleaning your bong thoroughly, grinding your herb or tobacco finely, packing your bowl lightly, lighting your bowl evenly, inhaling slowly and steadily, and holding your hit briefly. We hope this blog post has helped you learn how much water to put in your bong and how to enjoy it more. Happy smoking!
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