If you are a fan of glass bongs, you know how important it is to get the right water level and temperature for your smoking session. The water in your bong acts as a filter and a cooler for the smoke, making it smoother and more enjoyable to inhale. However, not all water levels and temperatures are created equal. Depending on your preferences and the type of herb or tobacco that you are smoking, you may want to adjust the water level and temperature in your glass bong to achieve the optimal filtration and cooling.
In this blog post, we will show you how to measure and adjust the water level and temperature in your glass bong using simple tools and methods. We will also explain the effects of different water levels and temperatures on your smoking experience and give you some tips on how to maintain your glass bong in good condition.
How to measure the water level in your glass bong?
The water level in your glass bong plays a significant role in the filtration, temperature, and hit of your smoke. Getting the optimal water level means getting the most of your bong. But how do you know how much water to put in your glass bong?
There are two ways to measure the water level in your glass bong: using a ruler or a tape measure, or using bubbles as an indicator.
Using a ruler or a tape measure
This method is more precise and suitable for bongs with clear or transparent downstems. A downstem is the tube that connects the bowl to the base of the bong where the water is stored. The downstem may have slits or gills at the end that allow the smoke to diffuse into the water.
To measure the water level using a ruler or a tape measure, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass bong with water until it covers the downstem completely.
- Insert a ruler or a tape measure into the mouthpiece of the bong until it reaches the bottom of the base.
- Read the measurement on the ruler or tape measure where it meets the water surface.
- Subtract two inches from this measurement if your downstem has slits or gills, or half an inch if it does not.
- This is the optimal water level for your glass bong.
For example, if you measure 10 inches from the bottom of the base to the water surface, and your downstem has slits, then you should lower the water level to 8 inches for optimal filtration and cooling.
Using bubbles as an indicator
This method is more intuitive and suitable for bongs with tinted or opaque downstems. To measure the water level using bubbles as an indicator, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass bong with water until it covers the downstem completely.
- Blow air through the downstem gently and observe the bubbles forming in the water.
- The bubbles should be small and consistent, not large and sporadic.
- If the bubbles are too large or too few, it means that there is not enough water in your glass bong. Add more water until you see small and consistent bubbles.
- If the bubbles are too small or too many, it means that there is too much water in your glass bong. Pour out some water until you see small and consistent bubbles.
The small and consistent bubbles indicate that there is enough water to filter and cool the smoke, but not too much to make it hard to pull or cause splashback.
How to measure the water temperature in your glass bong?
The water temperature in your glass bong affects the flavor, smoothness, and potency of your smoke. The optimal water temperature for your glass bong depends on your personal preference and the type of herb or tobacco that you are smoking. Some people like cold water for a refreshing hit, some like warm water for a soothing hit, and some like hot water for a cleansing hit.
There are two ways to measure the water temperature in your glass bong: using a thermometer or a digital device that can read
the temperature of liquids, or using your hand or your mouth as an indicator.
Using a thermometer or a digital device
This method is more accurate and suitable for bongs with clear or transparent water chambers. A water chamber is the part of the bong where the water is stored. It may have percolators or ice catchers that enhance the filtration and cooling of the smoke.
To measure the water temperature using a thermometer or a digital device, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass bong with water until it reaches the optimal water level.
- Insert a thermometer or a digital device that can read the temperature of liquids into the mouthpiece of the bong until it reaches the water chamber.
- Read the measurement on the thermometer or digital device.
- This is the water temperature in your glass bong.
For example, if you read 50°F on the thermometer or digital device, then you have cold water in your glass bong.
Using your hand or your mouth as an indicator
This method is more subjective and suitable for bongs with tinted or opaque water chambers. To measure the water temperature using your hand or your mouth as an indicator, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass bong with water until it reaches the optimal water level.
- Touch or sip the water with your hand or your mouth.
- The water should feel comfortable to you, not too cold or too hot.
- This is the water temperature in your glass bong.
For example, if you feel a slight chill or a mild warmth when you touch or sip the water, then you have cold or warm water in your glass bong.
How to adjust the water level and temperature in your glass bong?
Now that you know how to measure the water level and temperature in your glass bong, you may want to adjust them according to your preferences and the type of herb or tobacco that you are smoking. Here are some tips on how to adjust the water level and temperature in your glass bong:
- To increase the water level, add more water to your glass bong until it reaches the desired level. Make sure not to overfill it as it may cause splashback or make it hard to pull.
- To decrease the water level, pour out some water from your glass bong until it reaches the desired level. Make sure not to underfill it as it may reduce the filtration and cooling of the smoke.
- To increase the water temperature, heat up some water in a kettle or a microwave and add it to your glass bong until it reaches the desired temperature. Make sure not to use boiling water as it may damage your glass bong or burn your throat and lungs.
- To decrease the water temperature, chill some water in a fridge or a freezer and add it to your glass bong until it reaches the desired temperature. Make sure not to use frozen water as it may crack your glass bong or numb your throat and lungs.
- To maintain the water level and temperature in your glass bong, check them regularly and adjust them as needed. You may also want to change the water in your glass bong after every smoking session or at least once a day to keep it fresh and clean.
What are the effects of different water levels and temperatures on your smoking experience?
Different water levels and temperatures can have different effects on your smoking experience with your glass bong. Here are some of
the effects of different water levels and temperatures on your smoking experience:
| Water Level | Water Temperature | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| High | Cold | High filtration, low flavor, cool and smooth hit, hard pull, possible splashback |
| High | Warm | High filtration, low flavor, warm and soothing hit, hard pull, possible splashback |
| High |
