Let’s clear the air. Using a bong shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle. There’s a right way to do it, and once you understand how smoke flows through water, diffuses through percs, and climbs through the neck, it all clicks. The result is a cooler, smoother inhale that doesn’t torch your throat.
Every bong session follows the same rhythm:
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Set up your piece with water, downstem, bowl, and a flat surface
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Light up with the right grind, a clean flame, and proper bowl packing
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Take the hit by filling the chamber and clearing it at the right time
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Clean up so your next session tastes just as good
That’s where Thick Ass Glass, fits in. We make bongs that aren’t flimsy, that don’t fall over from a slight breeze, and that actually work the way they’re supposed to. Every piece is designed in CAD software and built with thick borosilicate glass. Our gear feels solid, works clean, and holds up when it counts.
Up ahead, we’ll walk through every part of a proper bong session. Setup, technique, cleanup, and smart gear choices. Whether it’s your first rip or your fiftieth, we’ll help you get it right.
Why Bongs Are The Bomb
A bong is more than a way to smoke. It’s a system built to make each session smoother, cooler, and more controlled. When done right, every inhale is filtered, every pull is predictable, and the whole experience becomes more efficient.
Joints and pipes may be convenient, but they can't match what a well-made bong can deliver.
It’s All About Cooling and Filtration
When smoke passes through water, it loses heat and sheds particles like ash and plant debris. That alone makes a big difference in how it feels. Add a properly designed percolator and the smoke gets broken up into smaller bubbles, giving it even more time to cool before it hits your lungs.
The result is a smoother inhale, less throat irritation, and better taste.
Cleaner smoke means you can breathe in deeper without discomfort. This lets you absorb more with less effort and makes the entire session feel more relaxed.
Do Bongs Get You Higher?
They can, especially when used correctly. A bong delivers dense, cooled smoke in a single breath, which often hits harder than smoke from a joint or dry pipe. If the chamber is cleared properly, the effect tends to be stronger and more noticeable.
On the other hand, poor timing or weak airflow leaves some of that smoke behind. Technique makes the difference between a half-hit and a full one.
Check Out These Bongs from Thick Ass Glass
The 14" Straight Tube Bong 50x9MM is a great starting point. It clears fast, hits clean, and is built from thick glass that holds up.
If you want more cooling and stability, the 18" Beaker Bong 50x9MM offers a wide base and extra water volume for bigger sessions.
For advanced function, the 16" Bent Neck Double Honeycomb with Spinning Splashguard delivers serious diffusion with smooth airflow, no drag, and reliable performance every time.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Bong Like a Pro
The setup is where everything starts. Get this part right and the rest of the session runs smoother. This is the part people rush, but it’s what makes the difference between an awkward first pull and a clean, easy inhale.
When each part of your bong fits correctly, sits steady, and works with the airflow, the whole piece becomes more responsive.
Downstem and Bowl Fit Should Feel Solid
Start by placing the downstem into the joint of the bong. It should slide in smoothly but feel secure once seated. A good seal keeps airflow tight and makes every draw more efficient.
Once the downstem is in place, attach your bowl. Choose one with a handle if possible. It helps with grip and keeps your fingers away from hot glass.
Fit matters here. If the bowl feels loose or too tight, it’s worth checking the sizing.
Water Level Affects Every Hit
Now add water. Use clean, cold water and fill just enough to submerge the slits of the downstem by about half an inch to one inch. That range gives you optimal filtration without causing resistance.
If your bong includes percolators, take a dry pull without lighting to test the draw. You should hear gentle bubbling. If the water level is too low, you’ll feel dryness. If it’s too high, water may rise up the neck or splash into your mouth.
Beginners often overthink this step, but once you learn the right level for your piece, it becomes second nature.
Choose a Stable Surface and Respect the Base
The surface you place your bong on matters more than most people realize. Wobbly tables, cluttered desks, and uneven counters are responsible for more accidents than smoking itself. Always choose a flat, solid surface with enough room to move your hand comfortably without bumping the piece.
Our 16 millimeter beaker bases are designed for exactly this reason. The added weight and surface area help anchor the bong and make it harder to tip. When your glass stays where you put it, you can focus on enjoying the session instead of babysitting your piece.
Step 2: Packing & Lighting the Bowl for the Perfect Burn
A well-packed bowl makes every hit smoother, tastier, and more efficient. The way you grind, pack, and light your herb plays a bigger role in the smoking experience than people realize.
With the right prep, you don’t just burn through material, you unlock flavor, airflow, and function that the piece was designed to deliver. A good bowl starts with the grind, continues with the way it’s packed, and finishes with the right flame and timing.
When all of that lines up, each hit burns evenly and clears clean.
Start With a Proper Grind
A medium-fine grind is the sweet spot for most bowls. It creates an even surface for the flame, burns consistently, and allows airflow to pass through without clogging. Too coarse and you’ll leave unburned spots in the bowl. Too fine and you risk clogging the bowl or pulling material into the downstem.
If you're using a screenless bowl, grind slightly coarser to avoid any loose particles falling into the piece. The goal is a loose, breathable pack that stays lit without restricting the draw.
Cornering Helps the Whole Session
When lighting a bowl, aim for just one side of the surface, especially if you’re smoking with others. This technique is known as cornering. It keeps the rest of the bowl fresh for the next person, or for your next hit if you’re going solo. It also prevents overburning, which can waste material and lead to harsh smoke.
Light the edge, pull gently, and let the flame follow your draw rather than sitting directly on the herb. This method gives you more hits per pack and makes every bowl last longer.
Choosing the Right Flame
Your lighter matters. A standard butane lighter works well for quick sessions, while hemp wick offers better flavor with less exposure to chemical taste. Light the wick, then hover it just above the bowl while you inhale. Avoid torch lighters, which burn too hot and can scorch the herb instantly.
The flame should never sit directly on the material. Instead, let your inhale draw the flame in gently so the herb burns evenly across the surface. A smooth burn starts with patience and control, not force.
Great Bowls to Go With Your Bong
If you’re ready to improve every session with better gear, two bowls stand out.
The Pinched Screen Slide Bowl with Raised Handle makes loading and handling easier, especially during group sessions. The built-in screen helps reduce clogs and keeps airflow steady.
For something with even more function, the 4-Hole Disc Screen Bowl with Horn Handle offers balanced airflow and a polished design that complements any TAG piece.
Step 3: Inhaling Like You’ve Been Doing It for Years
Once the bowl is packed and lit, the next step is timing the inhale. This part makes or breaks the entire experience. Inhaling from a bong is not the same as hitting a pipe or joint. It takes coordination between breath, bowl control, and reading the chamber.
When done well, it feels smooth and controlled. When rushed or forced, the result can be harsh or wasteful. Good bong technique is less about lung strength and more about pacing.
How to Time the Draw
Start by lighting the edge of the bowl while pulling in slowly. The goal is to allow smoke to build in the chamber without overwhelming the throat. You should see the glass fill gradually with milky smoke.
Once the chamber looks full, stop applying the flame, remove the bowl, and then inhale cleanly to pull the smoke into your lungs.
This final step is called clearing the bong. The transition should feel smooth, with no pause or hesitation. That flow is what separates a rough hit from a clean one.
How Much to Inhale and How Long to Hold It In
For beginners, filling and clearing the entire chamber may be too much at once.
Start by pulling about one third to one half of the chamber, especially if the bong is tall or has extra filtration. If you go for a full chamber too early, it can lead to coughing or wasted smoke. A good inhale should feel full but not forced.
Once the smoke is in your lungs, hold it for two to three seconds. Any longer and you’re just holding in heat and irritation. The active compounds absorb quickly, so there is no benefit to extended holds.
Space Out Your Hits
Even with clean technique, strong bong hits add up quickly. Wait at least a few minutes between each one to give yourself time to adjust. Unlike joints, which burn continuously and encourage back-to-back puffs, a bong delivers everything in one pull.
Let each hit settle before deciding if you need another. This keeps the experience enjoyable and avoids getting too high too fast.
Bonus Insight: Avoid Inhaling Water
If water touches your lips during the inhale, either the water level is too high or your pull is too aggressive. Use a lighter draw and reposition the water level until the bubbling feels right.
A clean hit should carry smoke, not splash. Finding the right balance takes a little trial and error, but once you have it dialed in, every session becomes smoother and more predictable.
Step 4: Post-Hit Protocol
After the last pull, your session isn’t over. Taking a few minutes to clear out the bowl, swap the water, and rinse the piece sets you up for a better experience next time.
It also helps your glass last longer and keeps the flavor crisp. Clean gear works better, hits smoother, and stays looking good.
This part is quick once you get used to it, and it makes every session feel more dialed in.
Dump the Ashes
Let the bowl cool before handling it. Once it's safe to touch, hold it over an ashtray and tap it out with a gentle motion. Avoid tapping it against the bong or another piece of glass. That kind of contact is what leads to micro-fractures and chips over time.
Use the handle or grip if your bowl has one, and make sure the surface you’re working over is stable. A small padded tray or silicone mat helps reduce the chance of accidents during cleanup.
Toss the Water
Old bong water ruins everything. It can dull the flavor of even the best flower and makes the next session feel off before it starts. Pour it out after every use, even if the piece still looks clean.
Residual water picks up resin, ash, and other particles, and those sit in your piece until you flush them. If the flavor feels flat or smells off, this is usually the reason.
Clean water, every time, keeps things consistent.
Rinse and Spot Clean
After emptying the bowl and dumping the water, give the chamber and downstem a quick rinse with warm water. For deeper cleaning, especially when resin starts to build up, use a mix of isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt.
Shake the solution inside the chamber and rinse thoroughly. Do this weekly to maintain airflow and clarity. For silicone accessories, stick with warm water and mild dish soap.
This keeps materials from degrading and keeps everything fresh without needing replacement. A short cleanup now means a better session next time.
It Won’t Take Long To Start Loving Your Bong
Using a bong is about precision, not complexity. When the water level is right, the grind is clean, and the pull flows smoothly, everything works better. A well-designed piece turns effort into instinct.
That is what we focus on at Thick Ass Glass. Clean airflow, durable builds, and smart design all work together to support a better session every time. From your first hit to your next upgrade, the difference is easy to feel.
If you are ready to take your sessions more seriously, explore the full bong collection at our website. You might be surprised by how beautiful and functionally advanced some of our creations are.