Using a bong means packing ground cannabis into the bowl, lighting it while you draw air through the water, and then removing the slide or covering the carb hole to pull the smoke into your lungs. The water cools and filters the smoke before it reaches your mouth, which many people find less harsh than a dry pipe. Fill the bong with just enough water to cover the perk holes of the downstem, start with a small bowl, and inhale slowly rather than hard.

What you need before you start

Grind only what you plan to use. Ground cannabis dries out quickly, and a fine, even grind burns more consistently than large chunks. If your bong has a carb hole instead of a removable slide, you will cover and release it with your thumb or finger during the hit.

Step-by-step: how to use a bong

  1. Add water. Pour in enough that the bottom of the downstem is submerged but the water is not so high that it reaches the bowl. Too much water means splashback into your mouth.
  2. Load the bowl. Fill the bowl about halfway. A large, tightly packed bowl burns unevenly and can waste material.
  3. Check the seal. Set the bowl and downstem firmly in place. Air should only come in through the bowl and the carb.
  4. Put your mouth on the mouthpiece. Make a light seal with your lips. Do not bite down on the glass or plastic.
  5. Light the corner of the bowl. Hold the flame near the edge of the cannabis and let it catch as you inhale. Keep the flame away from the center so the whole bowl does not ignite at once.
  6. Clear the chamber. Once the bong is filled with smoke, pull the slide out or release the carb and inhale the rest in one smooth motion.
  7. Exhale. Breathe out fully, then set the bowl down and let the bong rest on a stable surface.

How to inhale without coughing

Most coughing comes from taking too much smoke too fast. Pull slowly so the smoke builds in the chamber rather than in your lungs, then clear it with a steady breath. Do not try to hold the smoke in for a long time; a few seconds is enough, and holding it longer does not add to the effect.

How much cannabis to put in the bowl

Beginners should use a small pinch of ground flower, roughly enough to cover the bottom of the bowl. Cannabis potency varies a great deal between strains and products, so effects from the same amount can differ. Wait at least fifteen minutes before considering more, and skip adding to the bowl if you already feel the effects you wanted.

Cleaning and maintenance

Change the water after every session. Standing water grows bacteria and stale residue that makes later hits taste burnt. Do a full clean about once a week if you use it often.

Clean glass also lets you see the water level at a glance, which helps you avoid overfilling.

Common mistakes to avoid

Safety and legal notes

Bongs are intended for adults 21 and older in states where cannabis is legal, and cannabis rules differ from state to state. Avoid sharing a mouthpiece during cold and flu season, since respiratory droplets can transfer between users. Never drive or operate machinery after using cannabis, and store your bong and flower away from children and pets.