The bong has occupied a place on the periphery of popular culture for more than 50 years. But recently, as state after state has lifted restrictions on marijuana use among adults, the popularity of bongs has skyrocketed. Here at our wholesale smoke shop, we've had a front row seat to witness the explosion in both the bong and wholesale glass pipes market.

But no matter how popular bongs become we still get the same bong-related question over and over: why do bongs use water, and how much water should I add to my bong? These are both good questions to ask and we’re always happy to answer them for our customers. Given the interest in this topic, though, we decided to create this post so we can discuss it in greater length.

What’s the Point of Adding Water to a Bong?

Anyone who’s ever made a toilet paper roll bong knows that you can produce mighty hits without ever having to use water. So what’s the big deal about adding water to a bong? Why not just use it without the water?

Your bong will, of course, operate as an effective way to smoke weed without water. But the hits you get will be just like the hits you get from your toilet paper bong/pipe. That is, they’ll be harsh. The advantage of using a bong over standard glass pipes or joints is that the water acts as a filtration system and you wind up with a smooth hit. If you’re not going to add water to your expensive bong, then why buy one?

Why it’s Important to Maintain the Proper Water Level

The most important job of a bong is to filter out the ash, tar, and other particulates that you would otherwise wind up inhaling. That includes microscopic fungi and bacteria that often clings to cannabis buds. The water also acts to cool the smoke, thereby making it easier on your throat and lungs. The end result is a cooler, cleaner, smoother hit that gets the job done without running roughshod over your respiratory system.

If there is too much water in your bong it will be harder to pull the smoke through it and this can cause stress on your lungs. If there is not enough water in the bong the smoke will not get properly aerated and cooled, and the lion’s share of particulate matter will likely wind up in your throat and lungs instead of in the water where it belongs, with the result being a caustic hit and coughing fit.

Determining the Right Amount of Water

Now that you know why customized glass pipes have water chambers and why it’s important to neither overfill or underfill the bong the next question becomes “How much water is the right amount of water?”

The amount of water is determined by the downstem. If you have a standard downstem with a single hole at the bottom then the water should rise to about half an inch above the bottom of the stem. If you have a diffused downstem - one with multiple openings rising up the side of the stem from the bottom - then you need to fill the water chamber about half an inch above the top of the highest opening.

If the opening or openings on the downstem are not submerged the smoke will not reach the water and you’ll get a harsh toilet paper bong style hit. Also, if you fill the entire water chamber you’re going to make it more difficult to pull the smoke through the water, as we said earlier.

Replacing Your Bong Water

The water in your bong is there to act as a filter, and like any filter, it's going to eventually reach the point where it needs to be replaced. While you may only replace the air filter on your car or your HVAC system every couple of years, you should get in the habit of replacing your bong water every chance you get.

If you're a dedicated stoner, that means you should consider changing the water daily. That way, you'll always be getting clean, cool hits. And that's important if you're smoking every day. If you only take out the bong occasionally then you should empty the water chamber before you put it away and fill it with fresh water the next time you take it out. Changing the water frequently will also prevent mold from taking root inside the chamber.

About Flavored Water

Some people out there promote the idea of using flavored water in your custom bong to spice things up. Whether you do or not is entirely up to you, but we would simply ask “Why?” One of the great things about cannabis is enjoying the flavor of your expensive herb and taking in the one-of-a-kind aroma it produces. Adding flavors to your water is only going to undermine both the flavor and the odor. In addition, the added flavor may clash in a really unpleasant way with the herb’s natural attributes.

Visit Our Wholesale Head Shop For Your Bong-Related Needs

Your bong exists to make your cannabis experience healthier and more enjoyable. But your beautiful bong can’t do its job if you don’t keep it clean and add just the right amount of water. Whether you’re looking for wholesale glass pipes or the single high-end bong of your dreams head over to the Puffr wholesale head shop on Logan Court in Denver.