When shopping for any good or service, it’s important to know what you’re talking about. That’s especially true for water pipes because they greatly affect your smoking experience. Here’s the terms you need to know before you shop for a water pipe.
BONG–Also referred to as a “water pipe”, a bong is a water filtration device used for smoking tobacco and other herbal substances.
A bubbler is a smaller-than-average water pipe that is designed to be portable and easy to hold. Most bubblers have carb holes and built-in bowls like hand pipes, though some have slide bowls and downstems like bongs.
A bong that is designed to have smoke revolve inside of it so it can be further cooled and diffused.
Scientific glass bongs are made of clear (or at least transparent) borosilicate glass and are shaped like flasks, straight tubes and beakers.
Heady glass bongs are unique, often one-of-a-kind water pipes created by glass artists. These pipes often have unconventional shapes and glass composition.
Bowl
The bong’s bowl is what holds the dry material that is being smoked. The user holds a lighter to the bowl’s contents while inhaling and then removes the bowl in order to take in the accumulated smoke. Bowls are connect to the bong via a glass joint. Headshops like DankStop sell replacemnent bowls as well as other glass parts.
The bottom of the bong which allows it to stand.
Neck
The tube that leads to the mouthpiece
Downstem
A tube that funnels smoke from the bowl towards the bottom of the bong, where the water sits. The smoke going through the downstem into water is what creates a bong’s water filtration. Some downstems are diffused to further filter smoke. Certain bongs have removable downstems for better cleaning and replacements.
Percolator
A glass bridge that extends from the joint to the bong’s main body. Makes the joint sturdier by anchoring it to the rest of the bong.
Ice-Catcher
Prongs inside the neck of a bong that holds ice cubes for the purposes of cooling smoke.
Grommet
A band resting on the joint that creates a seal between the joint and the bowl. Also helps to make removing and placing the bowl less impactful on the bong’s glass joint. Is generally made of rubber.
Sidecar
A neck that branches off the side of the bong and leads to the mouthpiece. Sidecars eliminate splashback and ensure all of the water stays inside the pipe and out of your mouth.
Adapter
An accessory glass tube that allows the user to use a bowl with a vapor bong or a dome and nail with a regular bong.
An accessory that connects the bowl to the joint. The ashcatcher catches debris created by burning materials. Many ashcatchers have percolators to help diffuse smoke.
Glycerin Coil
A removable chamber with a coil tube inside and filled with freezable glycerin. Is connected to the neck and mouthpiece. Users remove and freeze this chamber in order to cool down smoke once it’s placed back on the bong. Popularized by the company Illadelph.
Keck Clip
Circular plastic clips that secure removable pieces of a bong, such as downstems, bowls and mouthpieces.
