What is a bong

Origin of bongs in the West

The modern word "bong" originates from the Thai word baung, which means a cylindrical container cut from a bamboo stem to be used as a pipe. The word was adopted from the Thais because during the Vietnam war in the 1970s , American troops stationed in Thailand used these baungs to smoke some of their tobacco or even indulge in some cannabis. After arriving back home, the word baung transformed into the modern term "bong" as the pronunciation made it natural to add the "o" and remove the "au". 

Components of a Bong

A bong or water pipe is composed of these simple components 

1. The bowl and stem, where the smoking product is placed
2. The chamber or main bowl, which is to be partially filled with water
3. A mouthpiece 
4. A carb, which is a secondary air supply into the main chamber, allowing the smoke to clear.  

Types of Bongs

There are many different variations of bongs, all used for a specific purpose. But the three most commonly used bongs are these.

Straight- tube Bong

A straight- tube bong is exactly what it sounds like ; a straight tube. These bongs are very simple but yet very effective. Because of its shape, the straight tube bong is easiest to clean. They typically come in glass, silicone or acrylic. 

Beaker base Bong

A beaker base bong has the base shaped in a beaker style, allowing for larger contents of water to be placed. 

Percolator Bong

A percolator bong can come in any shape or size ; straight, beaker, round, ect. What distinguishes this bong from all the others is the percolator. The percolator is a piece of glass that dissipates the smoke before it passes to the water. This makes the hit smoother and cleaner. Not only do percolators make smoking a bong much smoother, they also help filter out toxins. 

Which type of Bong should I buy?

Look, we know how awesome bongs are. Since they can come in so many different shapes and sizes, determining which one to buy can be a little difficult, especially for a novice. So we have got you covered, use these tips as guidelines to see which bong best describes your requirements.

Bong Size

Bongs come in a multitude of sizes, from mini bongs to bongs that are 3 feet long. Generally, the bigger the bong, the bigger the hit. So if you're looking for a big hit or if you're a more seasoned smoker, consider getting a bong that is larger than average. Most mid-sized bongs are 10 inches, so use that length as a reference for what is considered small or large. Another important thing to note about bong size is that the larger the bong, the larger the price. So if you're on budget, smaller bongs are the way to go. 

Bong Material

Bongs can come in glass, silicone or acrylic form . All of these materials have their perks. Glass bongs are the most popular, these bongs are more expensive than their counterparts but for good reason; the quality and feel of a glass bong is something unique. Just make sure you're careful , as many a bongs have shattered due to excessive clumsiness. 

Silicone bongs are an underrated bong material. Because of the silicone, many get the impression that these bongs are cheap or unhealthy, This is not the case, silicone is a perfect material for bongs because of their non-toxicity and their high resistance to heat along with their indestructible nature, so you wont have to worry about dropping these bongs. They also come in a wider variety of designs and shapes because of their canvas so finding different colors or layouts is much more feasible with silicone bongs

Acrylic Bongs are the cheapest material, so these are perfect for those that are looking for a low cost bong. They are very durable and come in many different colors. The downside to these bongs is that their taste can be a little bothersome to some people. Granted, there is nothing wrong with these bongs, they work just as well as the others but are not as flashy. 

Conclusion

Now that you know everything there is to know about a bong, you can make a more informed decision on which type of bong to purchase. Here at bongsus, we don't discriminate. We like our bongs in alll different shapes, sizes and colors. So after carefully considering all of these recommendations, head over to bongsus to find the perfect bong fit for you.