Bongs are not a free-for-all smoke machine. They were built for one thing: delivering smoother, cooler, more efficient hits from dry herb. The bowl, downstem, chamber, and percolators each serve a specific purpose, all aimed at turning dense smoke into something you can inhale without torching your throat.
Still, people get experimental. Some load up tobacco or flavored shisha. Others try CBD hemp flower, hash, or wax with a few upgrades.
Then there are the herbal enthusiasts using chamomile, mint, or mullein. And of course, someone somewhere has probably tried smoking a fruit peel or tea bag.
You can technically smoke a wide range of stuff through a bong:
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Cannabis flower
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Tobacco or shisha
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Hash and concentrates with proper attachments
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Legal hemp like CBD or Delta-8
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Herbs like mint, damiana, chamomile, or lavender
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And a few things that probably don’t belong near a lighter
If you’re just curious or genuinely trying to dial in your setup, this article breaks it all down. We’ll cover what works well, what clogs your piece, what hits like a truck, and what ruins your bong for everything else.
Cannabis Flower: The Bong’s Natural Purpose
Cannabis flower is the reason bongs exist. The entire design serves one goal. Cool the smoke, clean it up, and make the experience better. Every detail, from the bowl to the ice pinch, has a job.
When these parts are built with precision, the result is a session that feels smooth and controlled without watering down the intensity of the hit.
How a Bong Actually Works
A good bong is a series of intentional components. They are not there for decoration. They affect how the flower burns, how the smoke moves, and how it feels when you inhale.
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Bowl: This is where the flower is packed. Its size and shape affect how evenly it burns and how well it stays lit.
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Downstem: Directs the smoke through the water. This begins the process of cooling and filtering.
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Chamber: Holds the smoke after it passes through the water. The longer path gives it more time to cool.
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Percolators: These internal glass features force the smoke into smaller bubbles. That increases the surface contact with water and improves filtration.
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Ice Catchers: Small indentations in the neck that hold ice cubes in place. These reduce the heat of the smoke before it reaches your mouth.
Why People Prefer Smoking Weed in a Bong
Bongs are still the best option for dry herb when you care about comfort and efficiency. They offer:
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Cooler, smoother smoke that is easier on your throat
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Better cannabinoid delivery without excessive combustion
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Water filtration that removes ash and debris
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Easy control over your dose based on bowl size
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Solid performance whether you are smoking alone or passing it around
TAG Recommends: The 16" Beaker Bong – 50x9MM with Ice Pinch is a fantastic piece for bud lovers. It is built with thick borosilicate glass, a reinforced base, and a carefully engineered downstem. The airflow is smooth. The cooling is real. It just works the way it should.
Smoking Tobacco from a Bong: A Rough Ride
Some people try smoking tobacco through a bong. It works in a technical sense, but the experience is usually unpleasant. What seems like a smoother hit quickly turns into an overpowering rush that leaves most users regretting the decision.
Tobacco does not behave like cannabis in a bong, and the difference becomes obvious after the first pull.
Why It Rarely Feels Right
Tobacco burns faster and hotter than cannabis. When filtered through a bong, it produces a dense cloud that delivers a large amount of nicotine all at once.
For most people, that hit is too much.
It can cause dizziness, nausea, and throat irritation that lasts longer than expected. The cooling effect of water does not cancel out the harshness of tobacco. It also does nothing to remove tar or carbon monoxide, both of which still enter your lungs.
It is not just about comfort. The health risks remain, and the overall payoff is low. If the goal is to enjoy a smoother pull with less irritation, there are better tools for the job.
Can You Use a Bong for Hash and Concentrates?
Bongs are not just limited to flower. With the right setup, they can handle hash and modern concentrates, but it requires a bit of preparation.
You cannot use a standard flower bowl and expect the results to feel right. Hash and concentrates respond differently to heat, and they demand gear that can manage higher temperatures and specific airflow. When the hardware is matched to the material, the payoff is worth it.
What You Need to Change
Smoking traditional hash through a bong is possible, but it takes a little technique.
One approach is to sandwich the hash between small layers of flower to keep it from slipping through the bowl or burning too unevenly. A better method is using a dedicated spoon pipe made of thick glass that holds the heat well and allows for better control.
This makes the burn more even and the experience more consistent.
Concentrates like wax and shatter need a completely different approach. They do not burn in the same way as flower. They vaporize when exposed to the right surface and heat, so a quartz banger or titanium nail is required.
These parts replace the standard bowl and turn your bong into a full-function dab rig. Trying to heat concentrates with a flower bowl will not only waste the product but may also damage your piece.
Standard bowls are not built for high heat. The glass can crack, and the airflow will not match what you need for vaporization. If you are going to use concentrates, upgrade your setup first.
TAG Recommends: Try the 3.25" Spoon Pipe for a more optimal experience with hash.
For vaporizing concentrates, go with the 10" Klein Incycler Dab Rig with Super Slit Puck.
Herbal Alternatives: Non-Psychoactive Doesn’t Mean Safe
Some people turn to herbs as a way to enjoy the ritual of smoking without the effects of THC or nicotine. Bongs can be used for this, and the filtered smoke often feels smoother than what you get from a dry pipe.
That said, just because something is plant-based does not mean it belongs in your lungs.
When herbs are burned, they produce smoke that carries more than just aroma. The experience can be calming, but it can also introduce heat, residue, and unknown effects depending on the blend.
Commonly Smoked Herbs and What They Offer
Certain herbs are used on their own or blended with others. These are not intoxicating, but they do carry different properties and flavors.
Mullein
Often used as a base herb, mullein produces a light smoke and helps reduce the harshness of other plants. It is commonly recommended for those looking to cut down on tobacco.
Mint
Adds a cool, fresh flavor. Some people place it in the water rather than burning it to avoid bitterness.
Chamomile
Known for its relaxing qualities, chamomile has a soft aroma and pairs well with mullein or a small amount of flower.
Damiana, lavender, blue lotus
These are more niche. Some users report calming effects, but the results vary, and the taste can be strong or unexpected.
Know the Risks Before You Light It Up
Smoke is still smoke. Burning herbs releases particles that your lungs have to deal with. Some herbs burn unevenly and can create a harsh or bitter hit. If the material is too dry or too fine, it may fall through the bowl or get sucked into your water.
Over time, residue builds up faster than with flower and may lead to clogging or reduced airflow.
Mixing Materials in One Bong? Not the Greatest Idea
Using one bong for everything might seem convenient, but the quality of each session suffers. Cannabis flower, hash, mint, and other herbs all leave behind different residues. These affect both flavor and performance.
What starts as a smooth pull can turn into something harsh or muddy if your piece is loaded with leftovers from your last five experiments. Even high-end glass loses its edge when it is not kept clean or when it is used for multiple materials that do not mix well.
Each type of material leaves a different signature. Hash and concentrates are sticky and dense. Herbs tend to be dry and light. Flower produces ash that can clog fine percolators.
Once these overlap inside a single piece, things start to get inconsistent. Flavor becomes unpredictable. Hits feel heavier or burn too quickly. In some cases, leftover residue can trap heat and throw off how evenly the bowl burns.
The Case for Clean Glass
Keeping your bong clean does more than just make it look better. It improves airflow, maintains flavor, and extends the life of your piece.
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Cross-contamination: Residue from past sessions affects how each new material tastes. Even small amounts can change the profile of a fresh bowl.
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Stale water: Old water picks up odors and particulates. Let it sit too long and it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
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Clogged percolators: Delicate herbs and sticky concentrates can gum up your filtration system. This makes it harder to pull and leads to uneven burns.
Best Practice: Always change your water before a new session. Clean your bong weekly with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt, especially if you switch between materials. For the cleanest results, keep separate bowls or even separate bongs for different uses.
Bongs Are Versatile, but Don’t Push the Limits
Bongs can be used in many ways, but there is a difference between what fits in the bowl and what delivers a good experience. Flower works best because it is what bongs are really made for.
Hash and concentrates can be solid if your setup matches the material. Herbs are more unpredictable and need extra care.
Mixing everything in one piece might seem efficient, but it takes a toll on flavor and performance. Clean glass, smart choices, and a little restraint go a long way.
If you want gear that can actually keep up with what you smoke, check out the full collection at Thick Ass Glass. Every piece is built to perform and designed to last.