Types of Bongs and How They Work
Bongs have been around for thousands of years. It was not until within the last century, however, that humans have popularized and modernized it into something common in the Western environment. From small to large, inexpensive to luxurious, there is something for everyone now in the world of bongs.
Glass Bongs
Glass is the most commonly used material for bongs and is likely what you think of when you hear the word “bong.” Popularized by Bob Snodgrass, the glass bong is what brought bongs to the Western world. With what can be done in glass only being limited by the abilities of the glassblower, glass bongs are highly customizable and therefore remain high in popularity with a variety of smokers. Glass is said by some to offer smooth hits, and with the ability to add percolators to the bong during the glassblowing process, additional filtration can be achieved though this style of bong. As it is glass though, this type of bong is prone to breakage and can leave the owner devastated after an overly rough bump or drop.
Silicone Bongs
Silicone bongs are often what people think of when looking for an unbreakable bong after losing their glass piece to an accident. Silicone bongs, like glass bongs, offer a great variety of options for smokers due to the customizable nature of the molds used to make them. Unlike glass bongs, however, the silicone is both flexible and unshatterable, making it a preferred option for those traveling or accident-prone. The silicone does come with cons as well, however, as some prefer to see the smoke in the bong as they take a hit, a downside to the nontransparent nature of the silicone. In addition, many feel that silicone is harder to clean than glass, with the tar being able to stick to the pores of the material much easier.
Gravity Bongs
Gravity bongs are not bongs made of some space-age material but rather a style of bong that allows for a novel way of smoking. Rather than lighting the bowl and using your lungs to fill the piece, a gravity bong utilizes the vacuum created from water being pulled from the piece by gravity to pull smoke into the chamber. Upon filling the chamber, the bowl is pulled and the smoke can then be quickly pushed out of the chamber, giving the user a giant hit of smoke. While overwhelming for some, this method of bong can easily be constructed at home with a bottle without a bottom and a large basin of water and is therefore a choice method for those looking to work with what they have. Glass and other high-end gravity bongs exist as well, but the novel experience is just as fun either way.
Bamboo Bongs
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option that is both affordable and aesthetically pleasing, look no further than bamboo bongs. Bamboo bongs outshine other types of bongs because of their durability, portability, flavor, and aesthetic appeal. Bamboo bongs are made entirely from an eco-friendly material: bamboo! As a result, bamboo bongs leave little to no carbon footprint. If you’re smoking a plant, why not smoke out of a plant?
For those concerned about how bamboo bongs remain clean and sealed, rest assured as Terratokes Katana Bong undergoes a natural lacquering process that ensures easy cleanup and maintenance post-use. The notably lightweight nature of bamboo bongs means they are extremely transportable and non-breakable, so you can take them anywhere. By surpassing all bongs made of glass in longevity, bamboo bongs are by far the best option on the market.
Aside from the numerous other advantages of using bamboo bongs, they’re easier to smoke out of too, and help users achieve smoother hits. Bamboo bongs gradually enhance the flavor of the smoke over time. Unlike acrylic, bamboo bongs express the natural grain patterns of the wood and help the smoke taste more desirable. This gives users the same pleasant and reminiscent experience you’d have by smoking out of an aged wooden pipe.
