How to Use a Bong: Beginner's Complete Guide
Whether someone handed you a bong and you had no idea what to do, or you are thinking about buying your first piece and want to know what you are getting into, this guide covers everything. Learning how to hit a bong is the same as learning how to use one: the difference between your first try and a smooth session is mostly just knowing the steps. Using a bong is simple once you understand how it works.
What Is a Bong and How Does It Work?
A bong is a water pipe that filters and cools smoke before it reaches your lungs. When you light the bowl and inhale, smoke travels down through the downstem and bubbles through the water in the chamber. The water removes some of the harshest particles and cools the smoke down significantly, making each hit smoother than a pipe or a joint. The result is a cleaner, cooler hit that is easier on your throat and lungs.
There are several bong styles available, but the most common for beginners is the beaker bong. The wide base makes it stable, easy to fill with water, and simple to clean. Once you understand how to use a beaker, you can use any bong.
Parts of a Bong
Before your first use, it helps to know what each part does. The bowl is where you pack your herb and is the removable piece that sits in the joint at the side of the bong. The downstem is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber and is what carries the smoke down into the water. The chamber is the main body of the bong where the water sits and where the smoke cools and collects. The mouthpiece is the top opening where you put your lips to inhale. Some bongs also have a carb, which is a small hole on the side that you cover while hitting and release to clear the chamber. Most glass bongs use a removable bowl instead of a carb to accomplish the same thing.
How Much Water to Put in a Bong
This is one of the most common questions and the answer is simpler than most people expect. Fill the bong so the bottom of the downstem is submerged by about half an inch to an inch of water. You want enough water to create a bubbling effect when you inhale, but not so much that the water splashes up through the downstem and into your mouth. If you get water in your mouth while hitting, pour a little out.
How to Pack a Bowl
Break your herb into small, even pieces before packing. A grinder does this best, but your fingers work fine. Pack the bowl firmly enough that the herb stays in place, but not so tightly that air cannot flow through. A good way to test it is to try drawing air through the unlit bowl with your mouth. If air flows easily, the pack is right. If it feels like you are sucking through a plugged straw, loosen the pack a bit. If you are new to this and want your sessions to last longer, pack the bowl only halfway rather than a full bowl.
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Bong
Step 1: Fill with Water
Pour water into the mouthpiece until the downstem is submerged about half an inch to an inch. Cold water is perfectly fine and actually makes the smoke cooler and smoother.
Step 2: Pack the Bowl
Grind or break your herb and pack it into the bowl. A medium-tight pack gives you the best airflow and an even burn.
Step 3: Position Yourself
Hold the bong on a flat, stable surface or hold it with your non-dominant hand around the base or the neck. Place your lips inside the mouthpiece so they form a seal around the opening, not over it. You want your lips inside the rim to create an airtight seal.
Step 4: Light and Inhale Slowly
Bring the lighter to the edge of the bowl, not the center, and slowly begin inhaling. You do not need to inhale hard. A slow, steady draw fills the chamber with smoke more efficiently than a fast pull. Keep the flame on the bowl as long as you need to keep it lit, or corner the bowl by only lighting part of it at a time to preserve the herb for multiple hits.
Step 5: Remove the Bowl and Clear
Once the chamber is filled with as much smoke as you want, pull the bowl out of the joint and inhale the remaining smoke from the chamber. This clears the bong. If you take too large a hit, you can blow the smoke back into the chamber rather than inhaling it all at once.
Step 6: Exhale and Empty the Bowl
Exhale, then tap or blow any ash out of the bowl. Change the water after your session so it is fresh for next time. Stale bong water makes everything taste worse and breeds bacteria quickly.
Tips for Your First Time
Start with a smaller hit than you think you need. The bong filters smoke but it still delivers a potent hit, and it is easy to take more than you intended on your first try. Sit down when you use a bong for the first time. Some people experience a head rush from the combination of the hit and the deep breathing involved, and you want to be in a stable position. Take your time between hits. There is no rush, and pacing yourself makes the session more enjoyable.
Keeping Your Bong Clean
A bong that tastes good is a clean bong. Change the water after every session, and do a full clean with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt at least once a week if you use it regularly. A clean piece is the single biggest factor in the quality of each hit. Read our full guide on how to clean a bong for the complete step-by-step process.
Choosing Your First Bong
If you are still looking for your first piece, start simple. A beaker bong in the 8 to 12 inch range is ideal for beginners. It is stable, easy to clean, and gives you a smooth hit without being overwhelming. AFM Smoke makes every piece from high-quality borosilicate glass that holds up to regular use and cleaning. Browse the full glass bong collection to find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the bowl is cashed?
The bowl is cashed when the herb turns to gray or black ash and stops producing smoke when lit. Some people prefer to clear a bowl completely before repacking, others prefer to add fresh herb on top of the partially burned layer.
Why does my bong gurgle so loud?
Loud gurgling usually means you have too much water in the bong. Pour a little out until the bubbling is present but not violent.
Is it normal to cough?
Yes, especially for beginners. The bong produces a larger, more concentrated hit than most other methods. Taking smaller, slower hits reduces coughing significantly.
Can I use cold or ice water?
Cold water makes the smoke noticeably cooler and smoother. Some bongs have an ice catcher above the water chamber that lets you add ice cubes directly into the neck for an even cooler hit.
