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Bongs & Glass Water Pipes

Q: What does a percolator do in a bong?

A percolator (often referred to as a perc) is designed to diffuse hot smoke through the water inside the chamber of a bong to delivery smoother, cooler, and less harsh hits . There are dozens of different types of percs, and each one offers different advantages and disadvantages. On a bong, a perc should effectively diffuse smoke by exposing it to as much surface area as possible - thus allowing the water to cool down the smoke before it is inhaled.

Check out some of our most popular high quality, thick walled glass pipes and water bongs. We specifically selected our more durable and heaviest walled pieces - all atleast 4mm or more thicker borosilicate glass.

If you're not sure where to start in your shopping, look no further than this page. We've got recommendations from our product experts and you can rest assured these pieces are time-tested and customer approved.

As always - thanks for choosing Smoke Cartel and we're always here to help you find your next favorite bong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right bong for me?

Select between a bong for dry herbs and flowers, or for dabs and concentrates (called dab rigs). There are number of factors to consider, but it is mostly up to preference. Every bong has different percolators or percs, which diffuse smoke differently. Most customers search by looking at style and function, and consider things such as:

Price
Size and Height
Material - Glass or Silicone
Style
Percs

What does a percolator do in a bong?

A percolator (often referred to as a perc) is designed to diffuse hot smoke through the water inside the chamber of a bong to delivery smoother, cooler, and less harsh hits. There are dozens of different types of percs, and each one offers different advantages and disadvantages. On a bong, a perc should effectively diffuse smoke by exposing it to as much surface area as possible - thus allowing the water to cool down the smoke before it is inhaled.

How does a bong work?

Bongs work by allow the user to effectively and efficiently smoke dry herbs, tobacco, or cannabis in a better format. First, the bowl (often called a slide) is packed with your smoking material. Then, by inhaling through the mouthpiece, air is drawn while a flame is ignited. This heats the combustable material, and smoke is created. The bong diffuses the hot smoke through its downstem or percolator, into the water - which cools down the smoke and delivers smoother, cooler hits for the user.

What is the difference between glass bongs and silicone bongs?

Glass bongs are usually made with quality borosilicate glass while silicone bongs are made with food grade BPA free silicone. Glass is more heat resistant, and many people prefer the feel of glass as a texture. However, glass bongs are more fragile than silicone bongs. Silicone bongs are flexible, and can be rolled up, and easily stored for travel.

How are bongs made?

All glass bongs are hand blown through a process called glassblowing. There can be some machine work involved, such as joining two pieces of tubing together, but everything must still be hand made. There is not automated machine process to create bongs from start to finish. Because of this, there is a tiny degree of variation between every bong, but that's what makes them so unique.

Best 10 Bongs

Interested in learning more? Check out our guide for finding the best Bongs & Glass Water Pipes.

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