No matter your experiences smoking, there is a reason that smokers have turned back to the tried and true form of water pipes. Pipe smoking has held through history, as smoking was an integral part of the process of making peace or as offering to the spirits in many Native American traditions and was originally cultivated for smoking by tribes in the Andes Mountains around 7,000 years ago. It occupies a unique role in the history of the Americas and has traditionally been smoked using pipes of various shapes and sizes.
Today, smokers have adopted new and improved methods of communing with one another or achieving a blissful state of mind in the same tradition as those that walked the earth many centuries before. Smokers still employ pipes, but have added new features and introduced filtration systems in order to focus the smoke and cool it to achieve perfect satisfaction. Only one question remains, and it is sure to evoke many competing answers: What type of bong is right for you?
The Question of Quality
In all buying decisions, we are faced with a difficult choice: do we fork over a little bit more of our hard-earned cash for a better product or make do with the cheaper, more immediately affordable model? It can be hard to know what the right move is, and the answer isn’t always obvious. When talking about equipment like this, however, the answer typically is to extend for a more well-constructed version.
By doing your homework and saving up for an upgraded water pipe model, you can be sure that it will last you a longer time than the cheaper alternative. The last thing you want is to buy a shoddily made pipe and have to replace it in a few short months. Water pipes that are well-made can last decades and usually at only a slightly higher price point, too.
While on the subject of construction, it is important to note the plethora of materials that are used in water pipes. You have options ranging from glass to ceramic or even metal. Glassware gets you the most bang for your buck. Glass bongs such as the illadelph glass pipes are high quality and always carry a pure taste. Other materials can build up residue and gunk easily and affect the taste in a way that glass is able to overcome.
Consider the Maintenance
Bongs come in all shapes and sizes, but they are certainly not all created equal. Some carry intricate percolator and downstem designs. Some contain tubular swirls that guide the smoke on a journey through a number of chambers, finally allowing it to emerge in a brilliantly smooth stream. Others contain simple parts and don’t delve into the fanciful world of add-ons.
While choosing a bong with additional pieces can give you a more intense experience – not to mention a conversation piece – it also comes with extra cleaning considerations. A simple bong is much easier to clean out and keep in proper working order than one with intricate internal components. If you are someone well-versed in the world of water pipes, you may understand the additional hassle of a more advanced piece. This is not to say that you should stay away from these types of pipes – they are ideal for novice and experienced smokers alike just as are the more simple designs. So consider the additional workload before jumping in on your next pipe.
When choosing your next bong, keep these two simple considerations in mind in order to choose a pipe that you will cherish for years to come. Make sure you select the right bong for your tastes and style to make the most out of your smoking experience.