If you are a fan of smoking herbs or tobacco with a bong, you might have wondered about the quality and safety of the glass material that your bong is made of. Not all glass bongs are created equal, and some might be more prone to cracking, breaking, or releasing harmful chemicals into your smoke. In this blog post, we will explain how to tell if your glass bong is made of high-quality borosilicate glass or cheap glass that might compromise your smoking experience and health.
What is borosilicate glass and why is it best for bongs?
Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that contains boron trioxide in addition to the usual ingredients of silica and soda. Boron trioxide gives borosilicate glass some unique properties that make it ideal for bongs and other smoking devices. These properties include:
- High thermal resistance: Borosilicate glass can withstand high temperatures and rapid changes in temperature without cracking or shattering. This means that you can use hot water, ice, or torch lighters with your borosilicate glass bong without worrying about damaging it.
- High chemical resistance: Borosilicate glass is resistant to corrosion and does not react with water, acids, or bases. This means that you can clean your borosilicate glass bong with various solvents and detergents without affecting its quality or durability.
- High mechanical strength: Borosilicate glass is stronger and more durable than regular glass or soft glass. This means that your borosilicate glass bong can withstand drops, bumps, and scratches better than other types of glass bongs.
- High optical clarity: Borosilicate glass is transparent and does not distort light or colors. This means that you can enjoy the beauty and aesthetics of your borosilicate glass bong and see the smoke and bubbles clearly.
Borosilicate glass is also used for laboratory equipment, medical devices, cookware, and nuclear waste storage because of its superior qualities. It is safe, reliable, and long-lasting. Therefore, it is the best choice for glass bongs.
How to tell if your glass bong is made of borosilicate glass or cheap glass?
Unfortunately, not all sellers or manufacturers are honest about the type of glass they use for their bongs. Some might claim that their bongs are made of borosilicate glass when they are actually made of cheap glass that might break easily or leach toxins. Here are some tips on how to tell if your glass bong is made of borosilicate glass or cheap glass:
- Check the price: Borosilicate glass is more expensive than regular glass or soft glass because it requires more skill and precision to produce. Therefore, if you see a very cheap glass bong, chances are it is not made of borosilicate glass. Of course, this does not mean that all expensive glass bongs are made of borosilicate glass either. You should always do your research and compare prices from different sources before buying a glass bong.
- Check the weight: Borosilicate glass is denser than regular glass or soft glass because it contains more elements. Therefore, a borosilicate glass bong should feel heavier than a cheap glass bong of the same size and shape. However, this might not be a very reliable indicator because some cheap glass bongs might have thicker walls or extra attachments that add weight.
- Check the thickness: Borosilicate glass is thinner than regular glass or soft glass because it does not need to be as thick to be strong and resistant. Therefore, a borosilicate glass bong should have thinner walls than a cheap glass bong of the same size and shape. However, this might not be a very accurate indicator either because some cheap glass bongs might have thinner walls but lower quality.
- Check the sound: Borosilicate glass produces a higher-pitched sound than regular glass or soft
glass when tapped lightly with a metal object. Therefore, you can try tapping your
glass bong with a spoon or a lighter and listen to the sound it makes. A
borosilicate glass bong should sound more like a bell than a thud. - Check the label: The most reliable way to tell if your glass bong is made of borosilicate glass or cheap glass is to check the label or the packaging. If the seller or the manufacturer provides information about the type of glass they use, you can trust that they are telling the truth. However, if they do not provide any information or they use vague terms like “high-quality glass” or “scientific glass”, you should be skeptical and ask for more details.
Where to buy borosilicate glass bongs?
If you are looking for a borosilicate glass bong, you should buy from a reputable and trustworthy source that guarantees the quality and safety of their products. One such source is Zob Glass Pipes, a company that offers a variety of glass bongs of different sizes, shapes, colors, and perc options. All of their bongs are made with the finest borosilicate glass and are designed to provide a smooth and satisfying smoking experience. You can also check out Smoke Cartel, another company that offers a selection of bongs for sale made from durable borosilicate glass and other high-quality, safe materials (like silicone bongs). These sturdy glass water pipes filter fine particles from the smoke and deliver smoother cooler hits.
Conclusion
Borosilicate glass is the best material for glass bongs because it is strong, resistant, clear, and safe. However, not all glass bongs are made of borosilicate glass, and some might be made of cheap glass that might break easily or leach toxins. Therefore, you should always check the price, weight, thickness, sound, and label of your glass bong before buying it. You should also buy from a reputable and trustworthy source that guarantees the quality and safety of their products. By doing so, you can enjoy your herbs or tobacco with a high-quality borosilicate glass bong that will last for years.
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