Bong and pipe bowls: joint sizes, materials and use
The bowl (also known as bowl or oven) is the part in which cannabis is placed before being consumed by the flame. It is a component found on two types of accessories:
- On a pipe The bowl is generally integrated into the pipe structure, and is not removable.
- On a bong the bowl is a part removable which fits into the bong stem via a gasket. This removability means it can be removed to empty the ashes, cleaned separately or replaced.
Joint sizes: choosing the right bowl for your bong
This is the most important point to know before buying a replacement bowl. Joints (the part that connects the bowl to the bong) come in three standard sizes:
| Size | Diameter | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10mm | Small | Mini bangs, bubblers |
| 14mm | Medium | Standard bangs - the most common |
| 18mm | Grand | Large bangs, intensive use |
Joints can be males or females The bowl must be of the opposite type to that of the bong. A bong with a 14mm female joint requires a 14mm male bowl. Check the size before purchasing by measuring the inside diameter of the joint or by consulting the manufacturer's specifications.
Bowl materials
| Material | Taste | Resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borosilicate glass | Excellent | Good | Medium |
| Quartz | Excellent | Very good | High |
| Ceramics | Very good | Fragile | Medium |
| Titanium | Good (slight metallic taste) | Maximum | High |
| Silicone | Neutral | Excellent | Low |
The borosilicate glass remains the benchmark: chemically inert, easy to clean, excellent aroma. The quartz is acclaimed by connoisseurs for its purity of flavor and resistance to thermal shock. The titanium is virtually indestructible but may slightly alter the taste.
How to light a bowl
- Grinder cannabis finely for even air flow
- Place a grid at the bottom of the bowl to prevent debris from entering the stem and to improve air circulation.
- Filling the bowl: lighter at the bottom, denser at the top, facilitates combustion and draft.
- Hold the lighter just above the rim of the bowl and inhale, covering the carburettor with your thumb.
- As soon as the cannabis starts to burn (the cherry), move the flame away, combustion continues on its own
- To pass the bowl on to the next person: keep the cherry lit and lightly cover the carburettor.
How to smoke a bowl on a bong
On a bong, the bowl works like a valve: removing the bowl at the end of inhalation (instead of releasing a carburetor) empties the chamber in one go. This is the sweater or snap, the standard technique on bangs without carburettor holes. A ash collector can be added between the bowl and bong to protect the water chamber from debris.
Cleaning
The bong bowl is removable for easy cleaning:
- Quick cleaning dab with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol 90%+ while still warm
- Complete cleaning Soak in pure isopropyl alcohol with a teaspoon of coarse salt, shake, rinse with hot water, leave to dry. Same protocol as for a pipe
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