Plastic Bongs

Plastic bongs are a popular and durable type of water pipe used for smoking dry herbs. While plastic bongs may not stand out in comparison to glass or unbreakable bamboo bongs such as the Terratokes Katana Bong, plastic bongs are often preferred as an affordable alternative. Plastic bongs are typically durable if made of high-quality plastic, thus they are less prone to breakage. Due to the nature of plastic, bongs crafted with plastic are typically lightweight and are easier to transport. Aside from also being straightforward to use and maintain, consumers enjoy the wide variety of plastic bongs available for all kinds of smoking needs and preferences. 

‍

Plastic Bongs Material & Design

Plastic bongs are typically made from various types of durable and heat-resistant plastics. Popular materials include acrylic, polycarbonate, and silicone. Acrylic is the most commonly used material, as it is affordable, lightweight, and available in a wide variety of colors. Polycarbonate is another material utilized for plastic bongs, and while it is known for its high impact resistance and may not scratch or crack as easily as acrylic, it tends to be more expensive. Silicone bongs may also be considered a type of plastic bong, as they are nearly indestructible, flexible, and easily portable. 

‍

Plastic bongs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some bongs just being straight tubes and others including multiple chambers. As with other types of bongs, plastic bongs are made up of the base of the bong, the tube, and a mouthpiece. Common bases for plastic bongs include beaker, bubble, and straight tube bases. While straight tubes typically offer easy use and maintenance, wider bases such as beaker bases offer increased water capacity for cooler smoke. Bubble bases are also a popular option for those who prefer a larger volume of water in the base of their bong. While a percolator is not a necessary element of plastic bongs, percolators offer extra filtration to cool down dry herb smoke and are thus sometimes included in the design of plastic bongs. 

‍

Plastic Bongs Use & Functionality 

When deciding what kind of plastic bong may function best for your needs, consider a bong with a comfortable mouthpiece that is easy to handle. Aside from choosing a bong that is aesthetically pleasing to you, you should also consider the commitment to regular cleaning and may want to consider a plastic bong with removable pieces. In terms of the use and functionality of plastic bongs, many consumers enjoy that plastic bongs come with durable downstems and bowls, often made of metal. Many plastic bongs also come with a removable downstem and bowl for easy cleaning and replacement. Additionally, ice catchers are a preferred feature as they allow the user to add ice cubes for a cooler and smoother experience. Built-in storage is a common feature of plastic bongs, as many bongs will include a base with space to stash dry herbs and smoking accessories. 

‍

While plastic bongs are often revered for being low-maintenance and affordable, one should also consider the downfalls of using a plastic bong. Some report that plastic bongs can impact the taste of dry herb smoke and that if plastic is not high-quality or heat-resistant there’s a risk of harmful chemicals leaching into the smoke. For this reason, it’s best to ensure your plastic bong is made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic to minimize this risk. Additionally, since it’s less common for plastic bongs to have features such as percolators in the same manner as glass bongs, plastic bongs may lead to a harsher smoking experience. For these reasons, many consumers prefer bamboo bongs that are affordable, unbreakable, and don’t impact the taste of your dry herbs. 

‍

Caring for Plastic Bongs

Plastic bongs are versatile, with materials and designs tailored to provide a range of smoking experiences. However, it’s necessary to note that the choice of material, along with thoughtful design features, can significantly impact the durability and care of plastic bongs. Cleaning a plastic bong can be done in the same manner as any other type of water bong. You can use isopropyl alcohol and salt, lemon juice, or any other market bong cleaner just as well. As with any other water bong, it’s recommended to change your water after each session and to clean your bong regularly to maintain its health. If you’re cleaning a plastic bong with a metal bowl and downstem, you may find that soaking the bowl and downstem in a bag or cup with alcohol or bong cleaner will help speed up the cleaning process as metal can be harder to clean than glass.