Whether you’re new to cannabis or you’re looking for a different way to enjoy your favorite strain, a bong provides a unique method of smoking. At first glance, the device might seem a little intimidating, especially if you’re considering the broad array of options available for sale. Once you get past the initial confusion, though, it’s fairly simple. If you’re interested in giving it a shot, here’s how to hit a bong like a pro.
Find Your Bong
Your first step is to find a bong that feels right for you. They come in all different sizes and shapes. If you’re new, consider sticking to a standard bong. While they all work about the same, one that’s more conventional in shape and size may be easier to navigate when you’re beginning. Just make sure that it feels good in your hand.
Learn the Parts
Before you get ready to take your first hit, take some time to learn how your bong works, including the different parts and their functions. There are five basic components to know:
- Bowl: where you pack your choice of bud
- Carburetor: a small hole that allows you to clear smoke from the chamber as you finish your hit
- Downstem: a tube that takes the smoke from the bowl to the base to be filtered
- Base: the bottom of the bong that holds your water
- Tube: the part of the bong that takes filtered smoke up to the mouthpiece
Get Ready to Hit a Bong Like a Pro
Once you know what you’re working with, it’s time to prepare your bong for your first hit. First, ensure your bong is clean. Doing so helps to provide cleaner, smoother, more flavorful hits. If you’ve never used your piece before, rinsing it out should be sufficient.
When you’re ready, fill the base with enough water to cover a decent bit of the downstem. Make sure not to overfill it, though. Next, pack your bowl, grab your lighter, and prepare to take your hit.
Take Your Hit
With everything set up and ready to go, you’re ready to take your first hit. Hold your bong securely on your lap or on a flat surface, such as the coffee table in your living room. The last thing that you want to do is drop your piece. While most bongs are durable, they’re not indestructible. Even if it does survive the fall, you risk making a mess, and you waste your precious bud.
Next, place your mouth in the mouthpiece (don’t put your lips around it like a straw) and light your lighter. Hold the flame to the side of the bowl and suck air in to begin pulling smoke into the chamber. When you have the desired amount of smoke, you’re ready to inhale. Pull the stem out of the hole and inhale the smoke into your lungs. You can hold it in for as long as you like, but it’s a myth that holding the hit longer makes you higher. When you’re ready, exhale.
The thought of taking a hit from a bong can feel a little scary if you’ve never tried it. With the right piece and a little practice, you’ll be taking hits like it’s second nature.