Bongs are a favorite smoking method for many, and it’s easy to see why. They deliver big hits that get you high fast, and the water filtration ensures a smoother experience.
But for beginners, they can feel intimidating.
Maybe you filled it halfway, ran out of breath, and ended up with a mouthful of stale smoke. Or perhaps you coughed your lungs out trying to clear a huge chamber. These awkward first attempts can make some people swear off bongs for good.
But here’s the key: it’s all about technique. Once you master how to use a bong, it can be one of the most enjoyable ways to smoke.
Ready to dive in? Grab a lighter, and let’s get started!
BONG ANATOMY
Let’s familiarize ourselves with the bongs anatomy to understand how bongs work!
Bowl
The bowl is a small, usually removable piece where you pack your dry herbs. It’s shaped like a funnel and sits at the top of the downstem.
Downstem
Think of the downstem as a bridge between the bowl and the water chamber. It’s a narrow tube that carries the smoke from the burning cannabis down into the water. Half of it sticks out of the bong, while the other half is submerged.
Water Chamber
This is where the water goes. It’s called the bong’s belly if you will. The size can vary, but its job is always to cool and filter the smoke.
Mouthpiece
This is the final destination on the smoke’s journey—the opening at the top of the water pipe’s neck that you’ll place your mouth on. Through this circular opening, you’ll breathe through the bong, pulling air and smoke into your lungs.
HOW TO SMOKE A BONG: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
STEP 1: PREPPING YOUR BONG
First, add enough water to your bong. The amount of water is key to a good hit. You want to cover the bottom of the downstem by about an inch. If you have a bong with a percolator, ensure each perc is submerged.
Why is the water level so important? Too little water won’t filter the smoke well; too much will splash back into your mouth (ew!). The right amount is the perfect balance of filtration and smooth hitting.
Optional: If your bong has an ice catcher, add ice cubes for an extra cold hit. You can also add the ice directly to your bong water.
STEP 2: GRIND YOUR CANNABIS
A good grinder is key here. Grinding increases the surface area of your herb, so it burns more evenly and allows for better airflow. It also prevents clogging your bowl.
STEP 3: PACKING THE BOWL
Take a couple of pinches of your freshly ground cannabis and lightly pack it into the bong’s bowl. Don’t pack it too tight, or you’ll restrict airflow.
Start by covering about half the bottom of the bowl, then add more on top, keeping it fluffy. This will ensure good airflow and an even burn.
STEP 4: PLACE THE BOWL IN THE DOWNSTEM
If your bowl is separate from your downstem, gently place it in. Make sure it’s secure, but don’t force it—we don’t want any cracked glass ruining our smoking session!
STEP 5: LIGHT THE BOWL AND TAKE A HIT
Here’s where the magic happens! But before you light up, let’s talk about positioning your lips and testing the airflow.
Place your mouth on the mouthpiece, but don’t treat it like a straw! Instead, press your lips against the top of the mouthpiece, creating a seal. Almost like you’re giving your bong a little kiss!
Before you light, take a test pull. This ensures you have a good seal with your lips and lets you check if you added the right amount of water. You should hear the bubbling sound and see the water percolate.
Now, hold the bong with your nondominant hand, keeping your mouth sealed on the mouthpiece. With your other hand, hold your lighter or hemp wick to the edge of the bowl, NOT the center.
As you light, start inhaling slowly. Use about 20% of your lung capacity to get the bowl cherry red, then increase to about 80% as the water chamber fills with milky white smoke.
STEP 6: REMOVE THE BOWL AND CLEAR THE CHAMBER
Once you have a good amount of smoke in the chamber (but not too much), it’s time to “clear” the bong. Remove the bowl from the downstem to let in fresh air, and continue to inhale to clear out all the remaining smoke in the chamber. If your bong has a carb hole, this is when you’d uncover it.
STEP 7: EXHALE
Now, exhale slowly and enjoy the effects! A common myth is that holding in the smoke longer will get you higher. In reality, THC is absorbed almost instantly, and holding the smoke deprives you of oxygen. So don’t feel you need to hold it in - inhale, exhale, repeat, and enjoy!
5 PRO TIPS FOR ENHANCING YOUR BONG HITS
1. EXPERIMENT WITH WATER LEVELS
As mentioned earlier, water level can affect your experience. Find your sweet spot. Too much water causes drag, and too little means less filtration. Start with an inch of water over the downstem and adjust to your liking.
2. TRY FLAVORED WATER
Want to add some pizzazz to your hit? Try using flavored water or fruit juice (in moderation) in your bong. Mint, lemon, or berry flavors can be a refreshing twist. Just clean well afterward to avoid sugar buildup.
3. ADD ICE FOR COOLER HITS
If your bong has an ice catcher, use it! Ice cubes cool the smoke, which is excellent for beginners or those with sensitive throats.
4. UPGRADE WITH PERCOLATORS
Ready to invest in a smoother smoke? Look for bongs with percolators. These additional water filtration chambers create more bubbles, cooling and filtering the smoke even more.
5. PRE-CHILL YOUR BONG
Put your glass bong in the fridge for a few minutes before use. The cold glass will cool your hit even before it hits the water. Watch out for condensation, leaving it quickly to avoid thermal shock.
6. USE A HEMP WICK
Try lighting your bowl with a hemp wick instead of a lighter. It avoids the butane taste and gives you more control when cornering the bowl.
BONG ETIQUETTE: SHARING WITH THE HOMIES
Smoking a bong with a group is a whole different ballgame than smoking solo. When you’re alone, you can smoke however you want, but with a group, that’s where bong smoking etiquette comes in.
CORNER THE BOWL
When you light the bowl, aim for a small corner. This “cornering” technique ensures everyone gets a fresh hit.
KEEP IT MOVING
Don’t hold onto the bong while you chat. Take your hit and pass it along quickly so the rotation keeps moving.
CLEAR THE CHAMBER
Always clear the smoke from the chamber before passing. Nobody wants to inhale stale smoke!
CLEAN WATER = CLEAR BONG
If you’re hosting, use fresh water and clean your bong. A dirty bong can ruin everyone’s experience.
SHARE GLASS NOT GERMS
Offer or encourage your friends to use their own MooseLabs silicone mouthpiece. This way, each person can take a germ-free puff while sharing water pipes, bubblers, vapes, joints for a smoother hit when smoking cannabis!
RESPECT THE ROTATION
Pass the bong to the left. This unwritten rule keeps things fair for everyone and avoids weird interruptions.
HOW TO TAKE A BONG HIT AND AVOID COUGHING
If this is your first time using a bong, or even if you’re a seasoned smoker trying a new piece, you’re probably going to cough. And you know what? That’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! Even experienced stoners sometimes get a cough-inducing hit. Here are some tips to help minimize coughing:
-
Start Small: Try to clear only some of the chamber your first time. Take smaller bong rips and work your way up as you get more comfortable.
-
Don’t Hold the Smoke:Don’t make the rookie mistake of taking a huge inhale and then holding it in your lungs for a super long time. This won’t get you higher. It will just irritate your lungs.
-
Use a Mooselabs Mouthpeace: Using our mouthpeace when hitting your bong will help avoid those nasty coughing fits by filtering out all the bad stuff like tar and resin that irritate your throat! Say goodbye to those nasty coughs and hello to a new and improved smoking experience!
If you want to learn how to inhale weed properly, follow this link to our detailed guide. We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide on how to use a bong. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be hitting that bong like a pro. You will forget you ever had to learn in the first place!
FAQ:
IS A BONG FOR BEGINNERS?
A bong can be suitable for beginners if you learn how to smoke it right. Although the first few hits might not be perfect, there’s a first time for everything!
If you’re still building your lung capacity, we recommend starting with a small bong (a beaker or a straight bong). Smaller bongs are easier to clear and less likely to overwhelm you with smoke.
Pair it with a high-quality external filter like a MooseLabs MouthPeace, which will help you not cough and make the experience smoother.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WATER LEVEL FOR A BONG?
The ideal water level is enough to cover the bottom of the downstem by about an inch. For bongs with percs, make sure each perc is submerged. But the “correct” level can vary depending on your bong and preference.
Too little water won’t filter well, and too much will splash back. Experiment and find what works for you. You can always adjust the level between hits if needed.
WHAT IS A PERCOLATOR BONG?
A percolator bong, or perc bong, has additional water chambers (percolators) that create more bubbles as the smoke passes through.
These perks come in different designs, such as tree percs, honeycomb percs, or inline percs. The extra filtration cools the smoke and removes more impurities, making for an incredibly smooth hit.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN AND MAINTAIN A BONG?
Cleaning your bong prevents buildup and improves smoke quality. Empty and rinse with warm water after every use. Do a deep clean once weekly or whenever you notice signs like waterline marks. Here is how:
-
Clean the Bowl and Downstem:Take the bowl and downstem from your bong and soak them in isopropyl alcohol or bong cleaning solution. Use a brush or pipe cleaner to scrub away any gunk. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and let them dry completely before putting your bong back together.
-
Clean the Chamber: For the main chamber, mix isopropyl alcohol and salt, pour it in, and shake to scrub away the resin. For an acrylic bong, use mild soap and warm water instead of alcohol. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly before use.
-
Proper storage: Don’t leave your bong in extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. It can damage the glass or other parts. When not in use, store your bong somewhere safe.
WHEN SHOULD YOU INHALE A BONG?
As soon as you light the bowl, start inhaling slowly. This creates the suction to pull the smoke through the water and into the chamber. Once you have enough smoke in the chamber, remove the bowl and inhale more strongly to clear the chamber.