Silicone Bongs

Information About Silicone Bongs

Silicone, a name we all know, but a material that’s less understood. Yes, it’s important for computing and space travel, but all that pales in comparison to its suitability as a material for making bongs!

Could it be that the tech bros of Silicon Valley are all taking massive rips on silicone bongs? It’s nice to think so. Whether they are or not, you can be certain that a silicone bong will do you well indeed!

What Is a Silicone Bong?

A silicone bong is a trusty piece of kit that basically can’t break, and can go anywhere with you.

Silicone is a tough and highly versatile material. Depending on how it's crafted, it behaves in different ways. For quality bongs, food-grade silicone or medical-grade silicone is used. Being low-taint and non-toxic, it is a fantastic material that can withstand temperatures up to 260°C, which is ample for most bong users (the bowl on silicone water pipes is not made from silicone).

Thanks to the malleable nature of silicone, bongs made from this material come in all shapes and sizes. Some may be more like glass models, while others share more similarities with acrylic bongs.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Silicone Bongs?

Silicone bongs are pretty good all-rounders. If in doubt over what type of bong to get, you probably won’t regret a silicone one.

The pros include:

• Virtually indestructible!
• Affordable
• Come in a wide range of designs
• Highly portable
• Last (basically) forever

The cons are:

• Can taste a little plastic-like
• Not as classy as glass bongs
• Opaqueness can be annoying when filling and cleaning

How To Use a Silicone Bong

Using a silicone bong is as easy as using any other type of bong. Understanding the features will help you get the most out of your device:

• The mouthpiece: This is where you draw the smoke from, located at the top of the neck.

• The bowl: This is where you load and burn the herb. Bowls on silicone bongs are usually made from metal. Depending on the design, you may be able to pull it out, drawing fresh air through the hole and clearing the hit.

• Downpipe: This connects the bowl to the chamber; it might have a diffuser in it.

• Chamber: The water goes in the chamber. For best results, fill it just past the bottom of the downpipe.

• Carb hole: Some bongs do not have this, but many do. Cover the carb hole while you are “creaming”. This is when you are burning your cannabis, but the smoke is building in the chamber. Once you’re ready to take your hit, either pull the bowl out or take your finger off the carb hole to pull in fresh air.

How To Clean a Silicone Bong

Silicone is pretty easy to clean. Giving your device a quick wash with warm, soapy water regularly will keep it tasting and looking good. Moreover, a rinse after each session will keep the worst of the buildup at bay.

No matter how much you try, bongs slowly build up residue. So the occasional deep clean is necessary. Alcohol is good for giving silicone water pipes a serious clean. One thing to be aware of, though: alcohol can cause temporary swelling of silicone. However, once it has evaporated, this will subside. Besides, you don’t want to be taking any hits until the alcohol has fully evaporated anyway.

For the downpipe, get some pipe cleaners and give it a regular scrubbing. Large deposits of tar build up in these. Not only will this make taking a satisfying hit more difficult, but it will taste horrible too.

Can You Put a Silicone Water Pipe in the Dishwasher?

Yes. The vast majority of silicone bongs are dishwasher-safe and can withstand big temperature changes. Indeed, this is a very effective way to clean them.

What Features Are Often Found on a Silicone Bong?

Bongs range from simple pipes to intricate contraptions with all manner of features. Below are two of the most commonly found features on silicone bongs.

Ice Catcher

Often little more than an indent at the base of the neck/the top of the chamber, ice-catchers do just what they advertise: they hold ice in the neck. If you’ve never tried one before, it makes the smoke deliciously cool and smooth. The downside is that hot smoke melts the ice very quickly, and you can find water running out of the bowl in no time if you’re not careful.

Percolator

A percolator separates the smoke into little bubbles, increasing the surface area exposed to the water. This has the twofold benefit of increasing the cooling effect and increasing filtration. Percolators are a worthwhile investment and will make your bong-smoking life tastier and smoother.

Are There Silicone Dabbing Rigs?

Yes, but the bowls are glass and extend far out, away from the silicone. Dabbing temperatures can surpass silicone’s melting point, so some caution is advised. However, thanks to the very localised nature of the heat, the silicone itself shouldn’t be exposed to excessive temperatures.

Is a Silicone Bong Safe To Use?

Yes, very. As mentioned, silicone has a high melting temperature and is non-toxic, meaning that even if you did manage to melt it a little, it shouldn’t be bad for you. That’s not to say you should go about huffing it!

Moreover, silicone is almost impossible to break, meaning you don’t run the risk of shattering little bits of material everywhere, which is always a bonus.

Silicone Bongs: A Flawless Choice

They may not be the fanciest choice around, but they are brilliant. If you want a piece of kit that can withstand anything and go anywhere with you, for a long time to come, a silicone bong is your companion-in-waiting.

Even if you’ve got a beautiful glass piece for your home setup, a silicone bong can still be of use on the go, at parties, and on numerous other occasions. An essential bit of kit for every smoker!