What is a vape bong?
A bong is a bong. Even if you’ve heard the term “vape bong,” it’s mostly to describe glassware as an attachment to adesktop vape or portable dry herb vaporizer.
Cannabis bud and vape pen users also have the option to vape weed through a bong. Is that excessive and unnecessary? Maybe. But there are a number of benefits to it. Here are tips to make it as good as it can be.
Choose the “right” vape
The first thing you’ll want is a vaporizer that has a water pipe adapter available for it, sometimes known as a WPA. Some vapes include them in the box, like the Boundless TERA, for example. But typically, most WPAs are available as a separate purchase. Each vape has a differently shaped mouthpiece, so every adapter will be specific to that device. There is no one size fits all bong adapter, although some might happen to fit on more than one device. For example, the adapter for the Airvape Legacy also fits pretty well on the Firefly 2+.
If you’re using a desktop vape, you’ll need an attachment compatible with your whip, bag, or both. The Arizer Extreme Q is a great example because the whip already utilizes an 18 mm male connector, which fits perfectly inside an 18 mm female joint. If you prefer using the bag method, you’ll want an adapter that can accommodate the slim mouthpiece on your bag. You’ll need an additional adapter for that, so it might not always be the best option. Ideally, you’ll want to use as few parts as possible.
Last but not least, there are even bong attachments available for weed pens. They tend to be made of silicone and have a tapered design to accommodate 10, 14, and 18 mm female joints. Most of them accommodate the more common round and flat style mouthpieces on cartridges.
Know your joint/connector size
Once you've found a water pipe attachment for your vape, you’ll need a bong that’s compatible with it. The most common bong joint sizes are 14 mm and 18 mm female connections. Smaller bongs tend to use 14 mm joints, and the larger ones tend to use 18 mm ones, but this isn’t always going to be the case. Some larger bongs still utilize 14 mm joints and vice versa.
Other bongs, mostly old-school dab rigs, might have the less common 14 or 18 mm male connection. Stay away from those, unless you have an adapter that accommodates both male and female joints, or if you don’t mind using an additional female-to-male adapter.
Fortunately, a lot of water pipe adapters have a tapered design which makes them compatible with the more common joint sizes. Not every 14 mm bong is going to fit perfectly with all 14 mm adapters—some work better than others due to the nature of glass. The specs might say it has an 18 mm joint, but it can still feel just a hair too tight or too loose. Always make sure your bong maintains an airtight seal with your device for optimal performance.
Check the adapter fit
Before vaping, make sure you can easily remove your vape without it getting stuck in your bong joint. The reason for this is that when you vape, the bong will fill up with vapor. Even after you exhale a huge puff, some of the vapor will be trapped in the chamber. You can always clear it out at the end of your session after you remove your vaporizer.
Some vapers prefer to clear the chamber after each hit because it feels more like a traditional bong session. That’s why it’s better to have an adapter with a snug fit, but not to the point where it gets stuck in the joint. However, the connection between the vape and the adapter should be as airtight as possible.
Choose a bigger bong
Larger bongs tend to be heavier than the smaller ones. In addition to being more stable, there are other benefits to using a bong with some size to it. If your bong is too small, it’s not going to have a huge impact on your vape sessions. From my experience, the larger percolator-style bongs tend to work better because they provide more noticeable bubbling action. Smaller bongs are more portable, but if you want the full experience, then bigger is always going to be better. Besides, who walks around with a bong in their bag all day anyway?
Another tip to consider when buying a bong is the angle at which the adapter sits. A lot of bongs tend to have the downstem sitting at an angle, which is not ideal, especially for portables. You might be able to get away with it with whips, bags or vape pens. But typically, you’re better off with a bong that's built more like a dab rig rather than the more typical beaker-style ones. Bongs meant for dabbing tend to be stemless, so that’s one less glass part to worry about.
Don’t overfill your bong
Fill your bong with water before attaching it to your vape. Inhale through the mouthpiece, and if any excess water comes up, then pour some out and repeat. If there is too much water in the bong, it could get into the adapter or the vape itself. This could potentially ruin your flower or, even worse, your device.
Get your appropriate water level sorted out before attaching anything to your bong. Filling it to the maximum level can create a more restrictive draw, while less water will give you a looser draw. After a few sessions, you’ll know exactly how much water works best for your particular setup. If you want to get super technical, you can use a measuring cup, but it’s not necessary.
Another helpful tip is to change your bong water at least once a day, if not after each session. This doesn’t just ensure the best possible flavor, but it will also keep your bong cleaner for longer. When cleaning your bong, isopropyl alcohol and sea salt work just fine. For a quicker and more thorough cleaning, I’ve had the best experience with Grunge Off and Formula 420.
Go slow and steady
The last thing you want to happen is your bong tipping over from the weight of your vape. You’re not playing with fire, but you’re playing with water and glass, so you still need to exercise some caution. You don’t want to swing your bong around too much—water and electronics do not mix! Take your time, and don’t just blast through your sessions.
Set everything up on a solid and level surface, and be mindful of any small and delicate pieces. Even if you’re using a portable, there is always the risk of dropping your bong, your vape, or both. If you prefer to hold it in your hand, always keep it upright to prevent any water from spilling out, and make sure your bong isn’t wet so you can grip it firmly and not worry about it slipping. A good way to prevent this from happening is to grip the bong firmly with your dominant hand while supporting your vape in the other hand.
Final thoughts
If you’re shopping for a new vaporizer, check and make sure that it comes with an attachment for water pipes. Preferably, it’s a universal adapter, so you can use it with more than one glass piece. Most adapters are generally compatible with the more common female joint sizes. Some are more versatile and will also allow you to use them with the less common male joint sizes.
Choosing the right gear is the most crucial part. You might even need to experiment with a few bongs before finding the best one for your device, but it’s worth the effort. Have you ever tried vaping with a bong? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
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