How to Smoke a Bong Properly? A Step by Step Guide

Bongs have long been a favorite method to smoke cannabis, both in the modern era and throughout history.

Bongs are beloved by young and old thanks to their simple and sleek design, ease of use, and ability to filter smoke before it enters the lungs. 

Despite being around for thousands of years, the bong continues to hold a special place in the hearts of cannabis fans as it surely will for generations to come.

What is a Bong?

A bong is a marijuana-smoking water pipe that cools and filters smoke through water for a smoother smoking experience. 

Getting the bong sucking right is key to a great experience.

Smoking bong is, in fact, a simple process.

Let's first understand what each part of the bong does.

The Different Parts of a Bong 

While the bong may appear to be complex in its construction, each of its parts plays a specific role.

Knowing the parts of a bong helps you use it better. 

Bowl: This part holds your ground cannabis. You pack the bowl before smoking. 

Downstem: Downstem connects the bowl to the water in the bong. Smoke travels through this tube. 

Chamber: This area holds water for filtering smoke. It cools and cleans the smoke as you inhale. 

 Base: The base keeps your bong steady on a flat surface. It can be round or flat but always supports the rest. 

Mouthpiece: You put your lips here to breathe in the smoke. Make sure it’s clean for a good experience. 

Ice Pinch: Not all bongs have them, but ice catchers hold ice cubes for even cooler hits. 

Percolator: A percolator adds an extra filter stage. It breaks up smoke into tiny bubbles, making hits smooth.

How to Smoke a Bong?

Step 1: Cleaning Your Bong

If you have used your bong before, make sure to clean it out. 

You can do this simply by disconnecting all of the pieces and washing them with water. 

If the bong is made of glass, you can also use a cleaning solution like Bong Cleaner to clean the bong. 

After you're done cleaning, be sure to dry the pieces and carefully put them back together.

Step 2: Filling the Bong with Water

As said before, water helps to cool down smoke, which is essential for enjoying smooth hits. 

Fill only the base of the bong till the downstem is just covered by water. 

This way, the smoke has to go through the water. Don't fill the bong up too high or you risk spilling bong water over your bud or yourself. 

The perfect height is about 1 inch (2,5 cm) above the bottom tip of your downstem.

Step 3: Fill up your bowl

Put in some herbs from your favorite strain. In some cases, you have to use a screen to prevent the smaller pieces and ashes from falling into your water pipe. 

Check the instructions on the packaging or in your bong's manual to be sure. 

Be sure not to put too much in at once as it makes it harder to burn, and you don't want to be left with half-burned herbs. 

Also, make sure to grind the herbs before adding them to the bowl. Do this coarsely, so you end up with quite big chunks. 

If you don't have a herb grinder, you can use a pair of scissors or break the bud apart with your fingers.

Step 4: Close all Holes

For the smoke to collect in the bong, all holes should be closed. 

Do so by placing your lips inside the bong and the rim against the area around your mouth, sealing off the mouthpiece. 

Many bowls offer an extra hole to increase the airflow to clear the chamber when inhaling the smoke. 

This hole is called a 'carb hole' and should be closed by using your finger.

Pro tip: Use a finger of your non-dominant hand to close this hole so that you can use your dominant hand to light up your herbs.

Carb Holes make using your bong easier because you don't have to lift your bong and remove your bowl while taking a hit. 

This reduces the chances of your bong or downstem breaking. 

Bongs without a carb hole do pack a stronger punch and don't require you to focus on making sure the carb hole is closed while inhaling.

Step 5: Light it up

This is where the magic happens. 

Get comfy on your favorite couch or chair. Lighting up is easy and can be done with a regular lighter. 

Be careful not to burn yourself. 

Keep your thumb away from the fire. 

Holding the lighter sideways makes this easier. 

We offer a couple of really cool lighters and some hemp wick that we think you'll like. 

Check them out in our store.

Step 6: Start to Inhale

You should start inhaling as soon as you light up the herbs. 

You'll see the smoke collecting in the chamber of your bong. 

Keep inhaling till enough smoke has filled up the chamber. 

Be gentle as inhaling too fast might make your bong water end up in your mouth.

Pro tip: If you want to make smoking a bit easier, you should inhale and exhale a couple of times before lighting up the bong using your diaphragm (belly breathing).

Doing so will increase the amount of oxygen in your body, making it easy to inhale more smoke through your bong without coughing or getting out of oxygen.

Step 7: Release and Take a Hit

Put your lighter away now and get ready to open up the carb hole that you have been closing with your finger or the bowl if your bong doesn't offer a carb. 

Once the hole is open, air can flow through and clear the chamber. 

You can now inhale the smoke from your bong easily because of the extra airflow. 

Keep the smoke in your lungs for a few seconds before exhaling to maximize your hit.

When you're done smoking, throw away the bong water and clear the bowl of all the excess burned herbs.

You can easily clean the bowl by giving it a quick rinse.

My Encounter with Bong

Sitting in the quiet living room, I held the delicate glass vape lightly in my hand.

Its transparent body looked extraordinarily crystal clear in the light, and with each inhale I could see the smoke flowing slowly through it, forming beautiful swirls.

It made me think back to the night I first tried it.

It was at a friend's party, surrounded by familiar smiling faces and relaxing music.

At the time, I was curious about glass vaping, but also a little nervous because I had never experienced it in this way before.

My friends encouraged me to give it a try, telling me that 13 seconds is the magic time for you to absorb the most THC from a single puff this method is smoother and less irritating to the throat than the regular method.

I clumsily mimicked my friends' movements and as I inhaled, the novelty of the sensation made my heart beat faster as the smoke entered my mouth, the smoke filtered through the water and felt cold and very different from what I expected.

It was exciting but with a strange freshness.

The smoke spiraled up through the glass bong, and through the clear glass body, I could see each bubble burst.

I've loved the sensation ever since.

I am now a smoking veteran and have mastered the various techniques of smoking.

Started to pursue different flavors, like adding fruit ice cubes, or switching to different liquids to filter the smoke, etc. (none of which are as good as water).

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the art of smoking a bong can enhance your smoking experience.

By following the step-by-step guide and employing pro tips, you can enjoy smoother hits and better filtration.