A percolator (or "perc") is a piece of glass inside a bong that splits the smoke into lots of tiny bubbles as it passes through water. More bubbles means more contact with water, which cools the smoke down more before it reaches you. A percolator bong is any bong that has one or more of these inside.
That's the idea. Whether it's worth it depends on how much you care about an extra-smooth hit versus how much you hate cleaning. Here's the full breakdown.
How Does a Percolator Work?
In a regular bong, smoke goes down the downstem, bubbles through the water once, and heads up the tube. A percolator adds a second stop. The smoke gets forced through small slits or holes in the perc, breaking it into a bunch of little bubbles in a separate pocket of water.
Think of it as a mini bong inside your bong. Smaller bubbles have more surface area touching the water, so the smoke comes out cooler and smoother. Some bongs stack two or three percs for even more of that effect.
If you want the basics on the water itself first, start with why bongs need water.
Common Types of Percolators
- Showerhead: a tube with a flared bottom and slits around the edge, like a showerhead. The most common type. Good diffusion, not too much drag.
- Tree: several thin glass arms hanging down, each with slits at the bottom. Very smooth, but those arms are the first thing to snap.
- Honeycomb: a flat glass disk full of small holes. Lots of bubbles, and bongs often stack two or three of them.
- Inline: a horizontal tube with slits along it. Good diffusion and helps stop splashback.
- Matrix: a cylinder with dozens of small slits in a grid. Lots of diffusion, but it's a pain to clean.
- Turbine: angled slits that spin the water as you pull. It looks cool. Not much smoother than a basic showerhead.
Pros and Cons of Percolator Bongs
Why people like them
- Cooler, smoother hits, especially if a regular bong makes you cough.
- Bigger hits feel easier on your throat.
- Some people like how they look. Watching the bubbles is half the fun.
Why we don't use them in our own designs
- They're a nightmare to clean. Every perc is a spot where resin collects and you can't reach it. You're stuck soaking and shaking and hoping.
- They break. Thin glass arms and disks are usually the first thing to crack, and a cracked perc can't be fixed.
- More drag. Every extra chamber makes the bong harder to pull through.
- They cost more for glass that's more fragile.
- Diminishing returns. One simple perc makes a noticeable difference. Stacking three or four mostly adds drag and cleanup.
How to Fill a Percolator Bong With Water
- Fill the main chamber until the downstem slits are about an inch under water.
- Add water through the mouthpiece until the perc slits are just covered. You only need enough for the smoke to bubble through.
- Take a dry pull. If water splashes into your mouth, pour a little out. If the perc isn't bubbling, add a bit more.
How to Clean a Percolator Bong
Fill the whole piece with 91% isopropyl alcohol so every perc is covered, add a good handful of coarse salt, cap it, and let it soak for a couple of hours. Shake and tilt it so the salt moves through each chamber, then rinse with hot water. Heavy buildup might take two rounds. Our full bong cleaning guide walks through it step by step.
Do You Need a Percolator?
Most people don't. A well-designed bong with the right amount of water, maybe a couple of ice cubes, already hits smooth. A perc is a nice extra if you're sensitive to harsh smoke and don't mind cleaning more often.
If easy cleanup matters to you, go the other way. The Capsule Water Pipe skips percolators on purpose. It comes apart so you can clean every piece by hand, and it still hits smooth. See all our bongs, or check out the different types of bongs to see where percs fit in.
FAQ
Does a percolator make a bong hit harder?
No, the opposite. It makes the hit smoother. It does add some resistance to the pull, though.
Do percolators filter out THC?
Water catches some of everything, including a bit of THC. A perc adds a little more of that. For most people it's not noticeable.
What's the best type of percolator?
For most people, a single showerhead or inline perc. It gives you most of the smoothness with less drag and less cleaning.
Can you add a percolator to a regular bong?
Sort of. Ash catchers with a perc inside attach between the bowl and the bong. They add filtration and help keep the main water cleaner.