We all love and know bongs. Why have bongs become so popular among novice and experienced smokers? What is it that makes these glass pipes work so well, exactly?
You may have wondered, too, why bongs make your hits so smooth. The answer is (drum roll ) science.
Each time you have a hit, the science does its work and works its magic so that your experience is one you’ll want to repeat again and again.
If you’re interested in learning how bongs work, you can read the article to find out everything you need. We’ll make sure to explain everything clearly, even if you missed science class. Promise.
First, what is a bong?
The bong is a popular way to consume cannabis, particularly the dried flower variety. The bong can be used to consume other herbal products. A bong, which is similar to a hookedah, is a filtration system. The bong is made of one piece, consisting a bowl-stem with a water container attached to it and a pipe or ‘draw tube.’
The water is drawn into the bong and the cannabis is placed on top. The user then places their mouth over it to inhale smoke. Bongs are available in many different sizes, shapes, colors and materials, including bamboo, plastic and wood.
Most commonly used bongs are hand-blown glasses, and the focus is on design rather than function. Some bongs are made of pure gold, and diamonds are encrusted on them. A bong made from a bottle or other everyday objects is also possible.
The word “bong” comes from the Thai termbong orbaung which is a cylindrical bamboo pipe or wooden tube. The term can also be used to describe the bong that is used for smoking. A bong can also be called a waterpipe. You may also recognize slang terms like bing or binger.
Some people even give their bongs a name. Funky right? The bong can be personalized and outfitted according to the individual’s tastes and style.
The History of Bong
The bong was most commonly associated with the hippy movement of the 1960s. However, the use and filtering of smoke through a “water pipe” began 2400 years earlier. Water pipes were first used by tribes in and around the area now known as New Zealand. The bong was brought from Persia along the Silk Road to China and became the preferred method of smoking tobacco by Chinese royalty.
Bong Anatomy
The bong is composed of five basic parts:
Bowl
The bong’s bulbous portion is called the bowl. This is where the dried herbs are inserted and ignited. The bowl can be removed, allowing it to act as a slide or pull carburetor.
Carb
The carb is short for “carburetor” and is a hole that allows the user to clear the smoke from the bong when they are smoking.
The downstem
The downstem, or small tube, is the conduit through which smoke passes from the bowl into the base before percolating through the water.
Tube
The tube is the chamber which fills up with smoke after it filters through water.
The base
The base of a bong is the bottom. It can be made in several different styles. The water chamber is usually shaped like a beaker or bubble. As the smoke passes through the water, it cools.
All of these parts are available in different shapes and styles.
How do bongs work scientifically?
The dry herb catches on fire or burns when lit. Heat breaks down chemical bonds in the herb, transforming the particles into gas. This is what we call smoke. The bong’s purpose is to filter the unwanted particles carried by the smoke so that you can only breathe in the good stuff. Here’s where the water comes into play.
As the smoke is passed through water, a lot of the tar and ash are filtered out because they bind to the water molecules. Water acts like a net, catching ash and tar. However, it’s not fine enough to capture the neutral compounds that you wish to smoke. There is a tiny amount of this left in the water, but it is not significant.
The water also helps to cool the smoke, before it gets into your mouth or lungs. However, it is important to not cool the smoke down too much. You want to keep the active ingredients in the vapor, which will vaporize at between 125-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Use only enough water to completely cover the down stem.
To improve your smoking experience, you’ll want to make sure your water is clean. Water containing chemicals can affect the taste and safety of the hit. Some chemicals, such as chlorine, are dangerous to inhale. You should clean your bong before every use. Fore more info – https://vapemate.co.nz/
