Why does the shape of the bangs matter?

The concept of bong (or water pipe) originated in Asia. Often seen as a «stoner's tool» (we all remember that water bottle with a Velleda tube in it), it actually involves cooling and filtering the smoke with water to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable. Popularized in the West during the hippie generation, bongs have become an instrument of choice for discerning cannabis consumers, and are particularly popular in the United States.

And if bangs come in all shapes and sizes, there's a good reason for it!

Bang in a tube

The tube is the most basic and classic shape for a bong. The chamber is in fact narrow, and the whole unit consists only of the tube and the downstem, A small glass tube that dips directly into the water to filter and cool the smoke. Tube bongs have the advantage of being easy to clean. They also allow you to inhale smoke much more quickly and in greater quantities, albeit with a stronger effect. They remain a safe bet for those who aren't that keen on bongs.

Bang en Zig Zag

Zig-zag or zong bangs are quite common. They can have one or more curves. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, zongs also have an advantage: they prevent you from drinking from the cup. Indeed, if you suck a little too hard on classic bongs, you can suck up water at the same time as smoke, as the curves of zongs prevent this.

Bang in beaker vase

Beaker bangs were the first bangs with a «laboratory» look. They're very popular today, and come in the same form as that measuring instrument your chemistry teacher obscurely called erlenmeyer. As the base of the bong is wider than usual, they are less easy to knock over, which can be useful when you're a bit «out of it». They also produce more smoke than conventional bongs, as do round-base bongs.

Bang à percolateur

Percolator bongs aren't really a style of bong in their own right, but rather a genre. The primary aim of bongs is to filter the smoke with water to make the take more pleasant and airy. After that, any process is good for further diffusing the smoke, unlike dabbing, which aims to concentrate the flavor and cannabinoids. Percolators are used to further cool the smoke and make it even smoother. They are more effective at filtering smoke than downstem, Some percolators feature slits to further diffuse the smoke and make it less dense. Percolator bongs are more technical and well-built than traditional bongs. downstem but less convenient to clean.

Fabergé Egg Bang

These bongs take their name from the famous Russian jewelry pieces. Their main advantage is the egg-shaped percolator, which creates more bubbles and softens the smoke even more, making it more airy and pleasant. And they're pretty stylish too.

Bang recycler

This type of bong is more technical: it has several air chambers, so the smoke is filtered several times. After passing through the percolator, it is directed to a larger chamber with more water, to be filtered again. This makes the smoke even smoother and purer. Most of these bongs have one chamber inside the other, but they can also be separated.

Bubblers

The bubblers are also water pipes, but are generally the size of a conventional pipe. They are, in fact, much more practical because they are smaller and therefore portable, while providing ideal water filtration. They are now often used for drinking concentrates.

Originally, bongs were made of bamboo. Nowadays, they are most often made of borosilicate glass, and some pieces are veritable works of art. Glass artisans are constantly creating new designs, each one crazier than the last, using the latest technology. equally crazy prices reaching tens of thousands of euros. The latest crazy invention in the business: a bang that works with a laser.