How‌ ‌To‌ ‌Buy‌ ‌A‌ ‌Bong:‌ ‌A‌ ‌Beginners‌ ‌Guide‌ ‌To‌ ‌Your‌ ‌First‌ ‌Piece‌ ‌Of‌ ‌Glass

There are scores of brands making different types of bongs. More than half a dozen materials are used to make these variants. There are a dozen distinct designs to choose from. A quick glimpse at a vast inventory and you will probably be overwhelmed with innumerable options. The extensive range of bongs makes it quite daunting for a beginner to find the perfect piece. Even veterans are often perplexed about the right choice. The truth is that there is no one size fits all when it comes to bongs, or any type of smoking equipment.

This is a comprehensive guide for beginners and also those who may be somewhat familiar with bongs. Whether you are consuming legal cannabis or other products, it is necessary to understand the specific requirements. No one should choose any type of bong without accounting for smoking preference, budget of course, sufficient comparison of popular options and the quintessential aspect of cleaning & maintenance.

Choose a Material

As many as eight materials are used to make bongs. Glass is a classic material, so are bamboo and wood. Today, you will come across metal bongs, silicone bongs, ceramic bongs, acrylic bongs, and plastic bongs. Metal bongs are opaque, so they are not recommended. Acrylic and plastic bongs are not your best bet. Both bamboo and wood are suitable for old school designs but not in the contemporary styles that are widely used these days. Glass is the most common choice. Silicone is becoming very popular, but it is also relatively expensive.

There are varying qualities of glass used to make bongs. Modestly priced glass bongs are usually fragile. You would be better off with a sturdier glass. You can narrow your options down to scientific glass or silicone bongs. This should filter the available choices down to a handful, and you may be more decisive in the entire process. However, the material is only one of the key attributes, and a holistic assessment is necessary.

Choose a Design

There are around a dozen distinct designs for bongs. You will come across beaker base bongs, straight tube bongs, percolator bongs, round base bongs, multi-chamber bongs, recycler bongs, bubblers, zongs, scientific glass bongs, inline bongs, dab rigs, and custom bongs, which can be homemade or manufactured by a company.

Percolator bongs, scientific glass bongs, recycler bongs, multi-chamber bongs, and dab rigs, are the most popular. Beaker base, straight tube, round base, and bubbler bongs have been around for a while. Each of these designs has its fair share of strengths, and of course varying price points. Compare the features to identify those that suit your style and how you intend to use a bong, the specific material you would smoke, the frequency of sessions, and the number of users in a single session.

Choose a Size

Large bongs with exquisite designs may look amazing, but they are harder to manage. If you want a lightweight and portable bong, then you must check the smaller sizes. If you want a combination of size and ease of use, then the midsize variants would be more suitable. The size of a bong is basically a personal choice. Dictating factors should be how many people you may have while using the bong, the quantity of material you wish to smoke, the frequency of sessions, and if you can attend to its cleaning & upkeep requirements.

Choose a Percolator

This is what confuses many smokers. Percolators do not have to be complicated. There are some complex percolators, but you must only focus on how the system is going to enhance your session and user experience. The percolator too should be chosen depending on your personal preference and session requirements.

Some people need a matrix percolator. Many may be sorted with a showerhead percolator. Whatever works for you should be the eventual choice. A simpler percolator, such as showerhead, is typically easier to use, clean and maintain. The purpose of all percolators is the same, so their mechanisms should concern the designers more than the users.

Cleaning & Maintenance

All bongs must be cleaned and maintained regularly. Buildup of resin and tar would not only affect the flavors, aromas, and quality of sessions, but also make the smoke unhealthier in due course of time. This is partly why many people opt for simpler glass or silicone bongs, as they can be cleaned effortlessly. A complex design using too many fixed and detachable components will warrant more elbow grease.