| Bong Operation | | | | between bong tokes if you need to catch your breath. |
| The type of hit you get from your bong will vary | | | | Your inhalation should be controlled and deep. Bongs |
| depending on the following factors: | | | | produce a lot of smoke so be prepared for a much |
| Liquid | | | | bigger hit than your usual joint hit. |
| You can choose what type and what volume of liquid | | | | Release the rush-hole half way through your inhalation. |
| to use in your bong. The most common choice is | | | | The rush-hole (or carburettor, carb, shotty, shotgun |
| water. Water is a very effective filter and as long as | | | | hole, choke, clutch) is a small hole, usually at the back |
| you use enough, it should facilitate a smooth hit. | | | | of your bong. Keep your finger over it for the first part |
| Another option is to use alcoholic drink. Bong smokers | | | | of your inhalation, then let go. As the air gets sucked |
| have been known to use vodka, whisky, wine and | | | | through, the remaining bong smoke will shoot directly |
| other still drinks to filter their bong smoke. The effect is | | | | into your lungs. |
| pretty mind-mashing. The alcohol vapour gets taken | | | | Bong Maintenance |
| into your lungs along with the smoke - a deadly | | | | Cleaning your bong. |
| combination. (Do not try this with fizzy drinks - you will | | | | Bong maintenance is very important. Follow these |
| end up in a frothing mess.) | | | | simple guidelines and your bong should last you a long |
| The more liquid you can use, the better. This of course | | | | time. |
| depends on the size of your bong base. (Liquid can't | | | | Use a cleaning agent to flush out any traces of old |
| be filled past the point of the rush hole. Also ensure it | | | | bong water and tar. Surprisingly, there are quite a few |
| doesn't reach the top of the downpipe where your | | | | specific "bong-cleaning" products on the market. Use |
| bong bowl sits.) | | | | one of these to get your bong as good as new, or |
| Another good method that is very popular these days | | | | you could try making your own with household wares |
| is iced water: Add a load of ice to your bong water | | | | such as isopropyl alcohol (do not use this for acrylic |
| and inhale before it melts. This gives an incredibly | | | | bongs as it corrodes the material), baking soda, vinegar |
| smooth hit and actually feels as if it's cooling your lungs | | | | and scrubbing agents like rice or large sea salt |
| instead of burning them! Be warned though - because | | | | granules. It is best to use a stiff brush to get to parts |
| the inhaling sensation is so smooth, you may end up | | | | that are hard to reach. (Not your toilet brush, please. |
| taking a bigger hit and getting more than you bargained | | | | You never know what ideas people may have... ...). |
| for! | | | | You might need to leave your bong to steep in your |
| Ice bongs, designed with an extra layer for a double | | | | detergent overnight or for a few hours. |
| filter effect, are available to buy from all good | | | | You should also disassemble any removable bong |
| headshops. A lot of tokers believe that ice is a better | | | | parts and clean these separately. Use pipe cleaners to |
| filter than water, with harmful particles sticking to the | | | | unclog any slim tubes, such as the downpipe that holds |
| ice as the smoke passes through. | | | | your tobacco bowl. These bits can get rather sticky |
| Bong Size | | | | inside, so when you clean them out it improves the |
| Typically, the bigger the bong the better. Although you | | | | flow of the smoke. |
| can get some pretty decent travel bongs these days, | | | | Tip: Cotton buds are also very handy tools for slim |
| big bongs allow more water (better filtering) and | | | | parts and glass pipes. |
| greater distance for smoke to travel (less harshness | | | | Change your gauze. The gauze or screens you use in |
| on the throat). | | | | your pipe bowl also need changing regularly. Cleaning |
| Bowl Size | | | | them is way too fiddly and often you end up with a |
| Choose the right kind of bowl for your bong. You might | | | | piece of unusable mesh. Just make sure you've got a |
| want something that holds enough to pass around a | | | | good supply so that you don't have to burst your blood |
| few people, or perhaps something with the capacity | | | | vessels trying to draw smoke through them. |
| for one-hit - personal size. Most bongs can take | | | | Empty your bong after use. If you leave your used |
| different bowls. Some have threads on the downpipe | | | | bong water in your bong after you've finished with it, it |
| so that you can use a screw-on bowl attachment. | | | | is more likely to stain the inside. And it smells bad. |
| Others allow drop-in cones. Basically, there's no reason | | | | Safety |
| why you shouldn't have a selection of bowls for | | | | Keep all glass bongs out of reach of children (OK - |
| different occasions. | | | | keep all bongs, no matter what they're made of away |
| Be sure that bowl is quite wide and not overly deep. | | | | from children, but especially glass ones). Don't get |
| When you light your bong mix, it's the surface area | | | | totally caned and leave your bong where someone's |
| that burns. If your bowl is too deep, you can end you | | | | likely to fall over it or knock it over and smash it into |
| up digging around in your mix, trying to find the | | | | bits. Not only will this cause potential bleeding, it will also |
| unburned bits of weed but ultimately you will re-burn | | | | leave nasty bong water smells and stains on anything |
| charred remains - not very good for you. For the | | | | it soaks into, like your carpet or favourite jacket. |
| same reason, don't overfill your bong bowl. | | | | Remember there is a fire risk with all smoking activities. |
| Inhalation | | | | Be sure to extinguish your bong mix completely when |
| Never exhale through your bong! It does happen to the | | | | you have finished with it. Don't leave smouldering |
| occasional unsuspecting novice. If you exhale into your | | | | bongs unattended. |
| bong you will get a soggy load of weed shot out | | | | So what else can you do to ensure maximum |
| through the end and probably a few narked mates. | | | | pleasure from your bong? Well - practice makes |
| Make sure you exhale before you take a hit. You can | | | | perfect!!! |
| close over the mouthpiece by placing your palm over it | | | | |