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 before lighting up your favorite herb or tobacco. The amount of water in your bong can make a big difference in the quality and smoothness of the smoke, as well as the ease of pulling it through the water. In this blog post, we will explain how to find the perfect water level for your bong, whether it has a simple downstem or multiple percolators.
Why Does the Water Level Matter?
The main purpose of using a bong is to filter and cool down the smoke from your herb or tobacco, making it less harsh on your throat and lungs. The water in the bong acts as a natural filter, trapping some of the tar, ash and other impurities that would otherwise end up in your mouth. The water also cools down the smoke, reducing the temperature and irritation. However, if you put too much or too little water in your bong, you might not get the optimal filtration and cooling effect.
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 might also get some water splashing into your mouth, which is not very pleasant. On the other hand, if there is not enough water in your bong, you will not get enough filtration and cooling, and the smoke will be hotter and harsher. You might also miss out on some of the benefits of your bong’s percolators, if it has any.
How Much Water to Put in a Bong with a Downstem?
A downstem is a simple tube that connects the bowl where you pack your herb or tobacco to the base of the bong where the water is. Some downstems have slits or holes at the bottom to diffuse the smoke into smaller bubbles, increasing the surface area and contact with the water. The general rule for how much water to put in a bong with a downstem is to fill it until the downstem is slightly submerged in the water, about half an inch or so. If your downstem has slits or holes, make sure they are all covered by water.
To fill your bong with water, you can either pour it through the mouthpiece or through the downstem opening. You can use tap water, but some people prefer to use distilled water or filtered water to avoid any contaminants or minerals that might affect the taste or quality of the smoke. You can also add some ice cubes to your bong to make the smoke even cooler and smoother.
How Much Water to Put in a Bong with Percolators?
A percolator is an extra chamber or device inside your bong that further filters and cools down the smoke before it reaches your mouth. There are many types of percolators, such as honeycomb, matrix, showerhead, tree, turbine and more. Some bongs have multiple percolators in different chambers for maximum filtration and cooling. The idea for how much water to put in a bong with percolators is similar to that of a downstem: you need enough water to cover all of the openings or slits of each percolator.
To fill your bong with percolators with water, you need to pour it through the mouthpiece and let it trickle down through each chamber. Depending on the design of your bong, some of the water might flow automatically to each percolator, while others might need some tilting or shaking to distribute it evenly. Once the water has settled, check each percolator and make sure they are all properly submerged.
How to Adjust Your Water Level?
Finding the perfect water level for your bong might take some trial and error, as different bongs and different smokers might have different preferences. The best way to test your water level is to take a dry hit without lighting anything and see how it feels. If you feel too much resistance or hear too much bubbling noise, you might have too much water in your bong. If you feel too little resistance or hear too little bubbling noise, you might have too little water in your bong.
To adjust your water level, you can either add more water through the mouthpiece or pour out some water through the downstem opening. You can also use a syringe or a turkey baster to add or remove small amounts of water. You can also experiment with different water levels and see how they affect the taste, smoothness and potency of your smoke.
Conclusion
Knowing how much water to put in your bong is essential for getting the most out of your smoking experience. The right water level can make your smoke cooler, smoother and cleaner, while the wrong water level can make it harder, harsher and dirtier. The general rule is to fill your bong until the downstem or percolators are slightly submerged in water, but you can also adjust it to your liking. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect water level for your bong, and happy smoking!
