Most people learned to use a bong from a friend who lit it for them and yelled "pull!" at the right moment. If you don't have that friend handy, this is the next best thing. It's easy once you've done it a couple of times. Here's the whole thing, step by step.
How a Bong Works (in 30 Seconds)
You light flower in the bowl. When you inhale, smoke gets pulled down the downstem, bubbles through the water, and fills the chamber. The water cools it and catches ash. Then you pull the bowl (or uncover the carb), and the smoke in the chamber rushes into your lungs. That's it. More on the water in why bongs need water.
What You Need
- A bong, with its downstem and bowl piece
- Cold water
- Ground flower. A grinder makes this much easier.
- A lighter or hemp wick
- An ashtray
Step 1: Rinse and Set It Up
If it's new, give every piece a quick rinse to get rid of dust from shipping. Set the bong on a flat, stable surface, away from the table edge, pets, and elbows. Put the downstem in, but leave the bowl out for now.
Step 2: Add Water
Fill it so the bottom of the downstem sits about half an inch to an inch under water. On a Capsule, that's just above the silicone base. More detail in our guide on how much water to put in a bong.
Now test it. Put your mouth on the mouthpiece and take a gentle dry pull. You should hear a nice bubble and feel easy resistance.
- Hard to pull or water splashes up? Too much water. Pour a little out.
- Barely bubbling? Add a bit more.
Cold water hits smoother. If your bong has an ice catcher, a few cubes in the neck make it even smoother. Percolator bong? Fill the perc so its slits are just covered.
Step 3: Pack the Bowl
Grind your flower to a medium, fluffy texture. Drop a few pieces in first to cover the hole, then fill the rest loosely. Press down lightly with a fingertip. It should be snug, not packed hard. Too tight and you can't pull through it. Too loose and it gets sucked into the water.
First time? Pack a small bowl. Bong hits are bigger than they look.
Step 4: Light and Inhale Slowly
- Put your mouth inside the mouthpiece (not on the outside of it) so it's sealed.
- Hold the flame just above the edge of the bowl and "corner" it. Light a small section, not the whole thing, so there's some left for the next hit or the next person.
- Inhale slowly and steadily as you light. You'll see the chamber start filling with smoke.
- Once the flower is glowing, take the flame away and keep pulling gently.
Step 5: Clear the Chamber
When there's as much smoke in the chamber as you want (less is more your first time), stop, pull the bowl out of the downstem (or lift your finger off the carb hole if your bong has one), and inhale the rest of the smoke in one smooth breath.
No need to hold it in for a long time. A second or two is plenty. Holding it longer doesn't get you higher, it just makes you cough.
Step 6: Ash It and Reset
When the bowl's done, knock the ash into an ashtray. Don't blow it back through the downstem into the water. That's how bong water gets gross fast.
When you're finished for the day, dump the water. Here's why you should change your bong water every session.
How to Not Cough When Hitting a Bong
- Take smaller hits. Don't fill the chamber all the way until you're used to it.
- Pull slowly. Slow and steady beats fast and hard.
- Use cold water and ice. Colder smoke is gentler on your throat.
- Keep it clean. Dirty water and resin make every hit harsher. Here's how to clean a bong.
- Try hemp wick instead of a lighter. Some people find it a little smoother.
- Don't hold it in. Breathe out after a second or two.
- Drink some water before and after.
Bong Etiquette (If You're Sharing)
- Corner the bowl so the next person gets some green.
- If you clear the bowl, pack the next one.
- Pass to the left.
- Don't slobber on the mouthpiece.
FAQ
How much water do you put in a bong?
Enough to cover the downstem slits by about half an inch to an inch. Test with a dry pull.
Why does my bong splash water in my mouth?
Too much water, or you're pulling too hard. Pour some out and pull more gently.
Do you have to pull the bowl out?
Yes, or uncover the carb. That's what lets you clear the smoke from the chamber.
What's the best bong for beginners?
Something small, stable, and simple, without a lot of percolators. We built the Capsule Water Pipe to be easy to use and easy to clean. Browse all our bongs.