If you’re new to smoking, the world of bongs can be overwhelming. But fear not, because in this beginner’s guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision when purchasing a bong for the first time. From different materials to various designs, it can be challenging to know what to look for when buying your first bong, but we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll learn about the different types of bongs, the size and shape options available, and the difference between heady and production glass. By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to confidently choose the perfect bong for your smoking needs.
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Before we jump into the meat of this beginner’s guide to bongs, let’s start by clarifying that this is a bong buying guide to glass bongs. While acrylic, silicone and ceramic are viable options, glass is the most well-rounded and cost effective material out there. Glass bongs come in two main types: heady or production.
Heady glass refers to handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces that are often created by independent artists and are typically characterized by unique designs, intricate details and high levels of craftsmanship. These pieces are often made using techniques such as glass blowing, sculpting and fusing, and can feature complex shapes, vibrant colors and creative themes. However, they tend to be very expensive and more delicate than production glass.
On the other hand, production glass refers to mass-produced glass bongs that are created using standardized techniques and designs, often in large quantities. These pieces are typically more affordable and accessible than heady glass, but they lack the individuality and wow factor that make heady glass so unique and sought-after.
If you’re a beginner, we’d suggest starting with a solid piece of production glass first for use as a daily driver since they’re cheaper and tend to be sturdier than the intricate heady glass pieces. After a while, you may want to upgrade to heady glass if you’re careful with your bong and you want a functional art piece to smoke out of. Whichever type of glass you choose, you can use the information below to build a perfect bong for your needs.
There are four main styles or shapes of bongs to consider: straight tubes, beaker bases, side cars and recyclers. The choice of which style to choose comes down to personal preference.
Straight tubes: Straight tubes feature a downstem that leads to (you guessed it) a straight tube with a consistent diameter, although this can vary when percolators are added. People love straight tubes because they clear faster with less drag than other bong styles.
Beaker Bongs: Beaker bases resemble an Erlenmeyer flask from chemistry class and can also come in a bulbous shape that’s less triangular than the beaker bottom. People like beaker bongs because they have plenty of surface area and volume, which allows you to take bigger, cleaner rips.
Side Cars: Side cars are a hybrid of the two, with a wider diameter than a straight tube or beaker base and a neck that bends back at a 45-degree angle, placing the bowl piece around 2-3 inches below eye level. They’re a good hybrid bong as they can be used for both concentrates and flower. They also have a unique aesthetic compared to the simpler versions above.
Recyclers: Recyclers are typically used for taking dabs and work by pulling water up through a tube and into a chamber where smoke exits the mouthpiece, with water then flowing back down into the bottom of the bong. Some of them are the right size for use as a bong, and they provide the best cooling and filtration capabilities but they can be a pain to clean.
Regardless of the bong style you choose, you’re going to want to choose a piece made of thick, high-quality glass. Bong glass thickness ranges from 2mm thick to 5mm on average, though there are some out there that exceed 5mm. When it comes to a bong, you’re going to have to pay a little extra for an extra thick bong, but you’re going to be less likely to have to replace it in the long run. The thicker your glass, the less likely you are to damage or break it by accident. Many smokers recommend sticking to glass over 3mm thick, which is a good middle ground. The thicker the glass, the sturdier the bong.
When it comes to downstems, there are two types: natural and physical. Natural downstems feature a joint where the bowl piece sits vertically and leads down to the bottom of the bong. Physical downstems, on the other hand, are glass tubes that can be removed.
If you opt for a natural downstem, be sure to select a bong with a high-quality perc, as there’s no way to upgrade the downstem later. In contrast, physical downstems offer greater customization options. You can choose from side slits, holes, showerhead, or chandelier percs at the end. While this allows for upgrades, keep in mind that a downstem adds one more piece to clean and potentially break. If you can find a bong with a natural downstem and impressive percs, it’s often the better choice.
It’s important for first-time bong buyers to understand the different joint sizes available for bongs. Joint sizes refer to the diameter of the opening where the bowl piece or downstem fits into the bong. The most common joint sizes are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm with the most popular size being 14mm. You’ll typically find 10mm joints on recyclers, rigs, and smaller bongs and 18mm on the extra large ones.
Knowing the joint size is crucial because it determines what accessories and parts you can use with your bong. For example, if you buy a bong with a 14mm joint size, you will need to purchase a bowl piece or downstem with the same joint size. Additionally, knowing your bong’s joint size can help you find the right size adapter if you want to use accessories with different joint sizes. Understanding joint sizes can save you time and money in the long run and makes your smoking experience more enjoyable.
When it comes to choosing the best perc for your bong, things can get tricky since there are so many options available. The amount of drag and smoothness/bubble action are important factors to consider. Some headshops allow you to water test their bongs, so take advantage of this if possible. Here’s a breakdown of different percs and their ratings, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst:
Bongs come in all different shapes and sizes and come complete with lots of different bells and whistles. Outside of your downstem, joints, and percs, you might like a bong with a couple extra features. If you’re a first time bong buyer, you’ll want to be familiar with these common extra features.
When shopping for a new bong, there are numerous considerations you should make before making a decision.
Think about cleanliness: When you’re buying a bong, know that you’re going to be running ash, resin and smoke through it. Your bong should be pretty easy to clean, so if you’re new, you may want to avoid bongs with a ton of tiny percolator holes that are likely to get clogged and may be difficult to clean. As a good rule of thumb, you should change your bong water after every sesh and deep clean it with rubbing alcohol and salt whenever you start seeing resin build up. If you want a ton of percolators, stay on top of bong hygiene. If you know you’re not the best at changing your bong water regularly, you may prefer a simpler design.
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Keep size in mind: If you’re going to be buying new bongs in the future, keep track of the size you use. When it comes to bongs, the most common joint sizes are 14mm and 18mm, so it helps to opt for a bong in one of those sizes. Some bongs come with joints as small as 9mm or as large as 26mm, but these uncommon sizes may make it difficult for you to swap accessories, bowls or downstems from one bong to the other. It’ll be more convenient to choose a bong with a universal size so you don’t have to buy a bunch of new accessories if you decide to upgrade your bong down the line.
Opt for stability: If you intend to buy accessories like an extra perc, ashcatcher or reclaimer, you’re going to want to make sure the bong you buy is table stable. Some bongs have a narrow base and feel topheavy, which won’t be good for using attachments or accessories. If you want attachments, pick something with a solid, stable base and a good weight to it. At the headshop, ask to put the accessory you like in the bong you like and test out its stability. You don’t want to buy something that is going to tip over at the slightest movement and break.
Think about cost: Cost is a big factor of a new bong purchase. Think about your budget, and stick to it! You can get a really high quality bong for as little as $50, or you can pay thousands for heady glass that may look super cool but be prone to clogging or breaking. You’ll also want to factor your accessories into your purchase. You may need to buy a bowl, a downstem, an ash catcher, additional percs, dab nails, or otherwise to get your bong where you want it. But with that said, a $50 bong could end up costing you $100 or more with the other parts. It helps to look at complete bong kits at first, and read plenty of reviews before making a choice.
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Purchase the Carolina® Basic Lab Equipment Package for a 1-click option to get your lab up and running quickly. Just looking for a list of recommended materials for your lab? Download our “Basic Lab Equipment Needed for Any Lab,” which identifies the materials needed to fully stock a lab for 24 students. Want more assistance? Call our customer support team at 800.334. and let our staff help tailor a list that is right for your needs. Shop with confidence–all our products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Glass and plasticware are integral accessories in any science classroom. A well-equipped science lab has glassware in a wide variety of sizes for measuring, mixing, and storing various solutions. The National Science Teaching Association recommends 24 students per lab; Carolina’s material recommendations are based on this class size. You will need sufficient glassware for each student in the class, plus additional pieces for storage and instructor use. A chemistry classroom typically has more glassware needs, whereas a biology class may use less glass and plasticware.
All our glass and plasticware meet the highest quality standards when it comes to safety, durability, and accuracy. All beakers, flasks, cylinders, and test tubes sold by Carolina meet ASTM standards. The composition of the labware is an important consideration when purchasing these items. Consider all applications and usages to ensure you purchase the most appropriate and versatile product that is well suited for the temperatures, chemicals, and uses in your science laboratory. Confused about where to start? Choose the Carolina® Beaker-Breakers Set 1 to stock your lab with ease. Use the provided table to narrow your specifications.
Flasks are graduated containers used for preparing solutions, holding chemicals, or containing chemical reactions. A distinguishing feature of flasks is that the body of the flask is much wider than the neck. Wide-mouth Erlenmeyer flasks are the most common style found in the laboratory, but boiling and volumetric flasks also serve important roles. Our flasks come in a variety of sizes based on your needs. A well-stocked general science laboratory will have 24 each of 125-mL and 250-mL Erlenmeyer flasks, twelve 500-mL Erlenmeyer flasks, 6 each of 100-mL and 500-mL volumetric flasks, and three 1,000-mL volumetric flasks.
Test tubes, also known as culture or sample tubes, are another essential type of glassware in the science laboratory, ideal for routine procedures such as culturing or performing chemical reactions. Test tubes come in a wide range of sizes. The first dimension is the diameter of the tube and the second is the length, both expressed in millimeters (mm). The most common test tube sizes are 15 x 125 mm and 25 x 150 mm. We recommend purchasing 100 of each size. Save even more when you buy in bulk. We also offer sterile and non-sterile centrifuge tubes with a conical tube design. And don’t forget to purchase a test tube rack for each lab station. Our many options for test tubes and their accessories mean you can find what you need, for beginner to advanced studies, with economical choices that still maintain maximum chemical stability.
A safe, well-managed classroom and laboratory require appropriate safety equipment for each type of discipline. When determining your PPE and other safety equipment needs, you’ll want to consider the hazards your students will encounter throughout the year. Remember that these items need to be in serviceable condition and in adequate quantities for the number of students in your classroom or laboratory. You should inspect your safety equipment at the beginning and end of each school year. Check that there are no cuts or tears in lab aprons, that you have sufficient quantities of gloves in appropriate sizes for your students, and that all goggles are in working order.
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Based on the type of activities you are performing, choose from our large selection of gloves. Disposable latex-free (nitrile and polyvinyl) gloves are the most popular choice for dissections and have superior chemical resistance. If you need gloves for more general use, such as routine laboratory handling that requires sterilization, try our disposable vinyl or polyethylene options. Are you working with hot or cold materials? Make sure you protect yourself with our durable, long-lasting heat-resistant gloves.
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Looking for more flexibility with your classroom? Mobile furniture is a good choice, especially if you need to share equipment, such as microscopes, among multiple rooms. Carolina offers a great selection of mobile lab tables–from a bare bones model to full-feature workstations–all made of durable, high-quality materials. We are sure to have what you need for your lab.
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