How To Use a Bong

Smoking out of a bong is a fun and classic way to get high. The smooth hits filtered through the water chamber make bongs appealing to many cannabis consumers over other smoking methods.

But if you are a beginner, the mechanics of smoking a bong can be intimidating at first. Don’t worry—we’re here to help you get started.

Continue reading as our step-by-step guide will walk you through each step, from setting up your bong to taking that first hit. With a little practice, you’ll be hitting a bong like a pro.

Bong Anatomy

It helps to know how a bong works. So, before we get into the nitty-gritty of using one, let’s understand the different parts of a bong. Although bongs come in all kinds of mind-boggling shapes and sizes, they will mostly feature these parts:

1. The Bowl: The bowl is where you put your weed. It sits on top of the downstem and is usually made of glass, metal, or ceramic. The size of the bowl varies, and a bigger bowl means more weed; a smaller one means quicker, lighter hits.

2. The Downstem: The downstem is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber and pulls the smoke into the water.

3. The Chamber: This is the water-filled section of the bong, where the smoke gets filtered and cooled, making it less harsh.

4. The Mouthpiece: This is where you inhale the smoke from your water pipe. It’s at the top of the bong, opposite the bowl.

5. Percolators (Optional): Some fancier bongs have percolators (or percs)—small filters inside the water chamber or downstem. They break the smoke into smaller bubbles, with extra filtration for a cooler, smoother hit. Percolators come in different designs, like honeycomb or showerheads, and can make a big difference in the quality of your smoke.

How To Smoke From a Bong: Step-By-Step Guide

Now that we’ve ironed out the basics, let’s get to the fun part—actually smoking weed from your bong.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you light up, you need to gather everything you’ll need for a successful bong smoking session. Here’s what you should have:

• Grinder

• Dry herbs

• Lighter or hemp wick ( if you prefer a butane-free option)

• Bong

• Clean water

Step 2: Grind Your Cannabis

Once you have everything ready, it's time to grind your weed. Use a grinder to break down your buds into a fine, even consistency. This is key for a smooth, even burn. If your cannabis is too coarse or lumpy, it will burn unevenly, creating harsh hits that may irritate your lungs.

On the flip side, if you grind it too fine, it could fall through the holes in the downstem and cause a mess. So, aim for a medium grind with small, uniform pieces that still allow for a decent amount of airflow.

Step 3: Add Water

Getting the water level right is key to a good bong sesh. You will want to fill your bong with just enough water to cover the downstem by an inch above where it sits.

If you don’t put enough water in, you’ll be pulling a whole lot of harsh smoke, and trust me, that’s gonna make you cough your brains out.

On the same note, don’t overfill it either! Overfilling will cause the bong water to shoot up the downstem, soak your weed, and make your hit disgusting, gunky, and ashy—nobody wants that.

A quick test pull(with the bowl off) will help you figure out if you’ve got the right water level. If you feel a strong, bubbly suction and no water splashes into your mouth, you’re in the sweet spot.

Step 4: Pack the Bowl

Next, take a few pinches of your ground cannabis and pack your bongs bowl. You don’t want to pack it too tightly as it might clog your bowl, restricting airflow.

You don’t want to pack it too loose either, as your cannabis might fall through the downstem when you take a pull.

Step 5: Light and Inhale

It’s go time! Hold the bong firmly with your non-dominant hand, ensuring that the mouthpiece is in a comfortable position near your lips. With your lighter or hemp wick, light the edge of the bowl while simultaneously inhaling slowly through the mouthpiece.

As you inhale, your bong should start looking cloudy as smoke fills the chamber. Keep a slow, steady inhale, ensuring you don’t rush it.

Step 6: Clear the Chamber

When you’ve got a nice cloud of smoke in the bong’s chamber, it’s time to clear it by pulling the bong’s bowl away from the downstem to let fresh air in and push the smoke into your lungs ( Or uncover the carb hole instead if your bong has one).

Clearing the chamber means inhaling all the remaining smoke in one go, giving you the full hit. This can be the most intense part of the experience, so if it’s your first time, take it easy and don’t feel obligated to inhale all the smoke. Only do what’s comfortable with you.

Once the smoke has cleared, exhale and enjoy the effects of your hit.

Pro Tips For Using a Bong

It's that easy to smoke a bong, and with a few more sessions, it should feel like second nature. To make sure you're getting the most out of your bong smoking experience, here are some pro tips:

• Keep your Bong Clean: Over time resin can build up and your bong water can get cloudy, sticky or even smell if not cleaned. This can affect the flavor and smoothness of your hit. Check out our full guide on how to clean a bong and keep it in top shape.

• Try Ice for a Cooler, Smoother Hit: If you want to take your smoking experience to the next level, add ice cubes to your bong. Many bongs come with an ice catcher to hold the ice in place and chill the smoke as it goes through the water chamber. If yours doesn’t have one, no worries—just throw a few ice cubes in the water, and you’ll get a similar effect.

• Store it Properly: When not in use, store your bong in a safe, dry place to prevent damage. A padded case or cover is ideal for transport, especially if your bong is glass. Don’t leave it in areas where it could tip over or collect dust.

• Don’t hold Smoke for too long: A couple of seconds is all it takes for THC to be absorbed in your lungs—inhale, hold for a brief moment (about 2 seconds), and then exhale. Forget the old myths—there's no reason to hold that smoke in for ages. In fact, keeping it in for too long just adds unnecessary stress to your lungs and can lead to coughing fits.

• Bong Etiquette: If you're smoking with friends, pass the bong promptly and avoid drooling all over the mouthpiece. It's also courteous to respect the pass to the left rotation in group sessions.

• Hydrate: Bong smoking can cause a cotton mouth, so make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your session.

Where To Buy The Best Bongs

Learning to hit a bong is one thing, but finding one that suits your needs and style is another. When shopping for your perfect bong, there are a few things to consider: style, material, and filtration system.

Luckily, there are plenty of options, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned smoker. One great place to find high-quality water pipes is Snow Tree Worldwide.

Snow Tree has a wide range of bongs, from sleek glass bongs to durable silicone models. Whether you’re looking for a simple, no-frills beaker bong or a more advanced percolator bong for a smoother hit, they have something for your style and budget.

And it’s not just bongs carry; they also have cleaning supplies like Rez Relief and the Boro Buddy magnetic cleaner in stock to keep your bong in top shape.

FAQ:

What is a percolator bong?

A percolator bong has additional filters (called percs) inside the water chamber or downstem, breaking up the smoke into smaller bubbles for a smoother hit.

How do you clean and maintain a bong?

Dump out the water after each use and rinse it with warm water. Once a week, use a specialized cleaner like Rez Relief or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt for a deep clean.

What should I consider when choosing my first bong?

When choosing your first bong, consider size, material, and functionality. For solo use, a smaller bong under a foot works best. For sharing, go bigger for efficiency. Opt for borosilicate glass or ceramic for durability and safety. Avoid plastic, as heating it can release harmful chemicals.

Is a bong for beginners?

Bongs can be beginner-friendly, especially if you start with a simple design and smoke moderately. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

Do bongs get you more high than joints?

Generally, yes. Bongs allow you to take larger, more concentrated hits, which can deliver a stronger dose of THC compared to joints. However, the overall high still depends on the amount of cannabis consumed.

Do you inhale or exhale a bong?

You inhale the smoke from the bong, not exhale. After taking a hit, you exhale the smoke slowly.