Bong / Water Pipe
A water pipe (commonly called a bong) uses water to cool and filter vapor before you inhale. The basic design — a base chamber filled with water, a downstem that directs vapor through that water, and a neck leading to your mouth — has been refined over decades into countless variations.
Key features:
- Water filtration cools vapor significantly
- Larger chamber volume for bigger draws
- Removable components for easy maintenance
- Compatible with various fittings and accessories
- Available in countless shapes and sizes
Water does two things at once: It filters out particles and cools everything down. As vapor passes through the water, it breaks into bubbles — more surface area means more cooling and filtration. The temperature drop makes for noticeably smoother draws compared to dry pipes.
Chamber size and shape affect your experience. Beaker bases hold more water and provide stability. Straight tubes offer a more direct draw with less drag. The downstem — the tube that carries vapor into the water — can be simple or diffused (with multiple holes for finer bubbles). More diffusion generally means smoother hits but slightly more resistance when you inhale.
Many water pipes include percolators — additional chambers or structures inside the main chamber that create extra filtration stages. Ice catches (notched sections in the neck) let you drop ice cubes in for even colder vapor. Some designs incorporate both. Joint sizes (10 mm, 14 mm, 18 mm) determine which fittings and accessories are suitable for your piece.
Building your water pipe setup: You'll need a bowl that matches your joint size — that's where you pack your flower. The downstem connects the bowl to the water chamber (some water pipes have fixed downstems built in, others use removable ones). An ash catcher sits between your bowl and downstem, catching debris before it reaches your main chamber. A grinder prepares your flower for even burning. Many people keep different-sized bowls on hand for solo sessions versus groups, and a cleaning solution helps maintain them between uses.