Have you ever taken a bong rip that felt more like a dragon’s breath than a smooth rip? Yeah, we’ve all been there. The difference between a harsh hit and a clean, flavorful one isn’t just luck. It’s all about knowing your setup and dialing in a few key details.
Whether you’re new to glass bongs or leveling up your daily smoking ritual, we’ve got some legit tips to help you elevate your sesh. Let’s break it down.
1. Water Level is Everything
Too much or too little water can mess with your hit. The sweet spot? Water just above the slits or holes in your downstem or percolator. This allows for proper filtration without splashing into your mouth and getting some nice Scooby snacks too (gross).
Bonus tip: Try ice catchers, many AFM bongs come with built-in ice pinches for a refreshing smooth hit, and a way to make sure larger bits of ash or anything gets past the ice cubes.
2. Clean Glass = Clean Hits
Old resin, stale water, and a gunked-up chamber? Recipe for a rough time, and nasty, harsh hits.
Make it a habit to clean your bong weekly (or more often if you’re using it heavily). An easy cleaning solution that you likely have at home is to use a salt + alcohol combo or grab one of our glass-safe cleaning solutions that we offer on our site.
3. Upgrade Your Bowl or Percs
A standard downstem will do the job, but if you really want silky hits? Consider a percolator bong. AFM offers a variety, from honeycomb to tree percs, that break your smoke into fine bubbles, cooling it before it hits your lungs. The more bubbles, the smoother the rip.
Also, try switching up your bowl size: smaller bowls can burn more evenly and reduce harshness. We got a lot of bowl varieties to choose from under our slides & bowls collection.
🌿 4. Use Better Flower (and Grind It Right)
No matter how high-end your bong is, bad flower = a bad hit. Dry, stemmy, or overly moist bud just doesn’t burn well. Invest in a solid herb grinder for consistent airflow and burn.
AFM Pro Tip: Fluffier grind = better airflow = tastier hits.
🧠 5. Slow It Down
Not every hit has to be a race. Pulling too hard can suck in water, ash, or hot smoke. Take slower, steadier rips to enjoy the flavors and avoid the dreaded coughing fit.
✅ Wrap-Up: Your Smoother Smoke Starts Here
A smooth bong hit isn’t just about what’s in the bowl—it’s the whole setup. From the water level to the glass you’re using, a few simple tweaks can seriously change your smoking game.
If you’re ready to upgrade, check out our collection of precision-engineered bongs and accessories designed to make every hit smoother, cooler, and cleaner.