We get asked all the time, why do bongs need water? Well, just try hitting one without any water - then you’ll understand! It’s all about filtration. Water is what actually cools the smoke from your bong so that the hits don’t burn your throat and lungs.
But do all bongs need water? How much water should you put in your bong? Can you put other types of liquid in your bond rather than water? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. As the #1 choice for glass bongs online, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your new favorite piece from VITAE!
Why Do Bongs Need Water?
So, why do bongs need water? Because otherwise, you’re just smoking out of a really clunky, expensive pipe! The smoke from combustion (burning your herb) is super hot, and it’s loaded with byproducts you’d rather not inhale raw. Water solves most of that.
The Role of Water in a Bong
Smoke travels down the downstem into the water sitting in the base of your bong as soon as you hit your bowl and inhale. That does two things at once:
- The water cools the smoke off from several hundred degrees to something your throat can tolerate.
- It traps all the ash and heavier particulates so they can’t make their way into your lungs. Kind of like a filter.
The rip comes through way cooler and cleaner than anything from a pipe, a joint, a blunt, or anything in between. But don’t worry - the water isn’t stripping out every compound. You still get the good stuff you want out of your herb, and a lot of it.
You do need to set your expectations, though. Water doesn’t strip away all the harmful compounds. Combustion is still combustion, and while water makes the smoke easier to tolerate, you’re still smoking.
How Percolators Elevate the Smoking Experience
Not all bongs work the same way. Your basic water pipe is just giving you water filtration - and that’s great for what it is. But percolator bongs go even further. These have filtration within the filtration, cooling hits even further.
A percolator is just a little glass chamber that lives in the bong’s main chamber. It forces smoke into smaller bubbles before it gets all the way to your lungs. More bubbles = more surface area touching the water. That translates to more cooling and more filtration for every single hit.
There are quite a few different types of percs used in bongs, and they each have different bubble patterns and levels of diffusion. Just know that stacking multiple percolators adds stages to the filtration process. You can learn more about the pros and cons of percolator bongs in our blog.
Do ALL Bongs Need Water?
Technically, you can hit a bong with zero water in it. We’ve done it personally just to see what it was like (or when we were out on-the-go with our piece but only had drinking water…we chose to treat the bong like a pipe rather than sacrificing our hydration after the session!).
But, why would you? It’s not meant to be used that way, and you’re totally defeating the purpose of having a bong in the first place.
Every standard bong, whether it's a beaker or a straight tube, is built around the principle of smoke passing through water. Take the water out and you're pulling hot, unfiltered smoke through an oversized glass pipe.
Now, there is one exception worth mentioning - the gravity bong. These are unique in that they use water to create a vacuum that draws smoke into the chamber. But the smoke never passes through the water for filtration. Different mechanism, and a much harsher hit because of it.
Long story short, you need to put water in your bong to enjoy it the way it was intended!
How Much Water Should I Put in My Bong?
There’s a sweet spot for bong water. Not enough water, and you’re failing to actually get the filtration benefits. Too much water, and the bong won’t hit right (too much “drag”).
You want just enough to cover the bottom of the downstem by about an inch. The water level has to reach about the perc’s slits/holes as well if you’re smoking out of a percolator bong.
You’ll know you need more if you hear hair instead of bubbles when you’re testing the function of your bong. On the other hand, you’ll get splashback or feel like you’re fighting to clear the bong if there’s too much. You’ll find the middle ground after a bit of trial and error.
Can I Put Other Types of Liquid in My Bong?
Why do bongs need water specifically? Can’t you use juice, soda, even milk? We’ve seen this question asked a lot over the years. The idea is whatever you put in your bong will enhance the flavor of your smoke. Partially true - it’ll definitely mess with the taste! Not in a good way, though.
Juice and soda leave a sticky film on the glass that breeds bacteria faster than plain water and is significantly harder to clean. The flavor addition is barely noticeable once combustion smoke passes through it. Not worth the scrubbing. Alcohol is a hard no. Flammable, and the fumes are just another irritant your lungs have to deal with on top of whatever the smoke is already doing.
Honestly, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Stick with water. Your bong (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Final Words on Why You Need Water in Your Bong
In closing, do all bongs need water? And if so, why? The short answer is yes. Bongs cannot function properly without water. It’s there for filtration, and if you choose to dry hit a bong, you’re smoking out of a really expensive, clunky glass pipe at that point.
VITAE’s modular bong lets you stack percolators as you go instead of replacing the whole piece. Build a custom bong around how you smoke, or start with one of our pre-built setups and swap components when you're ready. Design your piece today!
Related Resources
How often should you clean your bong? | Can you use a dab rig as a bong?
Frequently asked questions
Do you need water for a bong?
Yep. Water cools and filters the smoke before it reaches your lungs. You’re just inhaling hot, unfiltered smoke if you hit your bong dry. No reason to subject yourself to that!
What's the point of having water in a bong?
Cooling and filtration. Water drops smoke temperature and traps ash and heavier particulates before they hit your throat. Smoother hit, less irritation.
What happens if you hit a bong dry?
It works, but it totally defeats the purpose of having a water pipe in the first place. It takes 2 seconds to add water to your bong, and it completely transforms the experience of smoking for the better.
How much water do I need in my bong?
Just enough to cover the bottom slits of your bong’s downstem. There’s a fine line between too much water and not enough water, so go through a little trial and error until you find the sweet spot.
How often should I change my bong’s water?
Every single session if you can. We prefer to completely rinse out the main chamber after every session because that way, you’re never left with resin building up within the base of your bong. It’ll make your next session taste way better, and it’ll prevent your piece from smelling too funky.
