A bong is a popular device for smoking herb or tobacco that uses water to cool and filter the smoke, producing a smooth and enjoyable experience. Bongs come in different shapes, sizes, and designs, but they all have the same basic components: a bowl, a stem, a water chamber, and a mouthpiece. Some bongs also have additional features such as ice catchers, percolators, or carb holes.
But how do you hit a bong properly? If you are new to bongs or want to improve your technique, this blog post will teach you how to hit a bong like a pro in four easy steps. You will also learn some tips and tricks to make your bong hits more satisfying and efficient.
What You Need
Before you start hitting your bong, make sure you have everything you need. Here is a list of the essentials:
- Your favorite strain of herb or tobacco
- A bong. Be sure your bong has a downstem and bowl that fit well.
- A lighter or hemp wick
- Water
- A grinder
- A poker or paper clip to clear the bowl
Step 1: Fill the Bong with Water
The first step is to fill your bong with water. The water acts as a natural filter that cools down the smoke and removes some of the harmful substances such as tar and ash. The water also creates bubbles that make the smoke smoother and less harsh on your throat and lungs.
To fill your bong with water, pour it through the mouthpiece, which is the large opening at the top of the bong. You can use tap water, bottled water, or distilled water, depending on your preference. The amount of water you need depends on the size and shape of your bong, but a good rule of thumb is to submerge the bottom of the downstem by about an inch. The downstem is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. You don’t want to put too much water in your bong, as it can splash into your mouth or reduce the airflow. You also don’t want to put too little water in your bong, as it can make the smoke hotter and harsher.
Step 2: Pack the Bowl
The next step is to pack your bowl with herb or tobacco. The bowl is the part of the bong where you put your material and light it. To pack your bowl properly, you need to grind your herb or tobacco first. The best way to do this is with a grinder, as it will give you a uniform and fine grind that will burn evenly and produce more smoke. You can also use your fingers or scissors to break up your material, but be careful not to make it too fine or too coarse.
To pack your bowl, take a pinch of your ground material and gently place it in the bowl. Don’t pack it too tightly or too loosely, as this can affect the airflow and combustion. A good way to test if your bowl is packed correctly is to draw air through it without lighting it. If you feel resistance or hear a whistling sound, your bowl is too tight. If you feel no resistance or hear no sound, your bowl is too loose. You want to feel a slight resistance and hear a soft sound when you draw air through your bowl.
Step 3: Light the Bowl While You Inhale
The third step is to light your bowl while you inhale through the mouthpiece. This is where you need some practice and technique to hit your bong like a pro. There are two ways to light your bowl: with a lighter or with a hemp wick. A lighter is more convenient and easy to use, but it can also affect the taste of your smoke and expose you to butane gas. A hemp wick is a natural alternative that burns cleaner and preserves the flavor of your herb or tobacco.
To light your bowl with a lighter, hold it at an angle above the edge of the bowl and spark it. Don’t hold it directly over the center of the bowl, as this can burn all of your material at once and waste it. Instead, aim for one corner of the bowl and light only a small portion of it. This technique is called “cornering” and it allows you to conserve your material and share it with others. As you light the bowl, place your mouth inside the mouthpiece and inhale slowly and steadily. Watch the smoke fill up the water chamber and the tube of the bong. Don’t inhale too hard or too fast, as this can make you cough or choke on the smoke.
To light your bowl with a hemp wick, wrap one end of the wick around your lighter and light it with the flame. Then, use the lit end of the wick to ignite your bowl as you would with a lighter. Be careful not to burn yourself or your bong with the wick. When you are done, extinguish the wick by blowing it out or dipping it in water.
Step 4: Pull Out the Stem and Let It Rip
The final step is to pull out the stem and let it rip. The stem is the part of the bong that holds the bowl and connects it to the downstem. Some bongs have a carb hole instead of a removable stem, which is a small hole on the side of the bong that you cover with your finger or thumb while you inhale. Whether you have a stem or a carb hole, the purpose is to create optimal airflow throughout your bong and make it easy to inhale all the smoke in one go.
To pull out the stem, wait until you have enough smoke in your bong and then quickly remove it from the downstem. This will create a sudden rush of air that will push all the smoke into your mouth and lungs. To cover the carb hole, keep your finger or thumb over it while you inhale and then release it when you are ready to clear the bong. As you inhale, try to take in as much smoke as you can without coughing or gagging. Hold the smoke in your lungs for a few seconds to absorb the active ingredients and then exhale slowly and smoothly.
Tips and Tricks
Now that you know how to hit a bong like a pro, here are some tips and tricks to make your experience even better:
- Change your water frequently. Dirty water can affect the taste and quality of your smoke and harbor bacteria and mold. Ideally, you should change your water every day or after every session.
- Clean your bong regularly. A dirty bong can also affect your smoke and health, as well as look unsightly and smell bad. To clean your bong, you will need zipper-top plastic bags, plugs that fit the holes in your bong, and a cleaning solution (either one designed specifically for bongs or a combination of rubbing alcohol and coarse salt). Put your bowl and stem in separate bags with some cleaning solution and shake them until they are clean. Then, plug the holes in your bong and fill it with some cleaning solution. Shake it until all the residue is gone. Rinse everything with warm water and let it dry.
- Add ice or cold water to your bong. This will make your smoke even cooler and smoother, as well as reduce irritation and inflammation in your throat and lungs.
- Use a percolator or diffuser. These are devices that create more bubbles and increase the surface area of contact between the smoke and water, resulting in more filtration and cooling.
- Don’t be afraid to cough. Coughing is a natural reaction to inhaling smoke and it helps clear your airways of any debris or mucus. Even experienced smokers cough sometimes, so don’t be embarrassed or ashamed if you do.
Conclusion
Hitting a bong is a fun and effective way to enjoy herb or tobacco, but it requires some skill and practice to do it right. By following these steps and tips, you will be able to hit a bong like a pro in no time. Remember to always use high-quality material, clean water, and a clean bong for the best results. And most importantly, have fun!
