Whether you want to wrap a bowl for a face-to-face meeting or a group of friends, understanding the following basics will help optimize your smoking experience.

Photo credit: weedmaps.com

Choose the right marijuana pipe.

Cannabis smoking devices come in all shapes and sizes, and while the simple weed pipe is the most popular, a gentler hit is achieved with one Water bong.

Adapted to traditional bongs for tobacco, cannabis Water pipes all share the same basic characteristics. A bowl to wrap the herb, a down stick to convey the smoke to water filtration, and a mouthpiece.

Some of these tubes contain a second air duct called a carburetor or carburetor to regulate the flow of air through the bong.

Traditionally, pipes used for smoking are made of wood, bamboo, or even ceramic. Because of the versatility of the medium, borosilicate glass is now widely used in cannabis water pipes.

Although bongs are still widely used as tobacco smoking accessories in most states, they can be found in collector’s stores, gift stores, and general stores. You can also find them online at marijuana events, pharmacies, and head shops.

The shape and size of the pipes as well as their complexity, functionality and availability can vary widely. Bongs and bubblers use water to filter marijuana smoke and cool it down before inhaling.

A typical basic type of bong is called a “cup bong” because of its shape. If you are new to marijuana, these tubes might be your best bet because they are easy to use, clean, and often cheaper than more complex plumbing.

How do I start packing a bowl?

In order to smoke from a bong, you will need some necessary items to get started. In addition to a bowl or water pipe, some type of heating element, such as a lighter, is required.

Traditional butane lighters work well, although there are an infinite number of non-butane heating elements to choose from if you want to avoid having your bowl smelling like butane. The most efficient lighters and heaters allow optimal heating control while burning or vaporizing the bowl.

Some consumers prefer to ignite bowls with a hemp wick, a waxy yarn that is easy to ignite and burns evenly without creating a bad aftertaste.

Another popular heating element is a glass bar, which can be heated until it comes in contact with your herbs, which completely removes the burning smoke, as well as by tapping on cannabinoids and flavors.

An important factor is whether to use a strainer for the water pipe. Sieves can help prevent small fragments of plants from falling into the pipe. If you don’t have pipe strainers, however, you can improvise by twisting wire or a paper clip into a spool, or trying the strainer from the head of a faucet.

We do not recommend using aluminum foil, beverage cans, or window grilles as DIY pipe screens as these screens are often coated with materials that are dangerous to inhale.

Once your pipe is ready with the water, bowl and strainer, you need to prepare the cannabis. Breaking the herb down is a critical step as it allows for even airflow through the bowl and allows the smoke to flow evenly through it.

Packing and Smoking a Bowl or Water Pipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

l Get your bong, some weed, and an herb grinder if you have one.

l Grind your weeds – make sure they are evenly ground, but not ground too finely. If you don’t have a weed grinder, you can pull the weeds apart with your old-school hands or use scissors to save time and effort.

l Add enough water to your bong to cover the slots at the bottom of the stem

l Place the screen in the bowl of your pipe and add the crushed cannabis to the bowl.

Some expert tips on how to maximize airflow:

l Pack the bowl lightly at the bottom and a little heavier at the top. This allows for a smoother puff and keeps the sting or cherry on top evenly while opening the airflow, making it easier to breathe in without clogging.

lWhen the tube has a carbohydrate hole it is generally easy to get to where you usually hold the tube around the lower part of the neck. Put your thumb over it and light the bowl and inhale evenly.

l When your lungs are nearly full, lift the bowl or remove your thumb from the carbohydrate hole so you can draw the remaining smoke through.

Photo credit: weedmaps.com

The etiquette of smoking a bong in a group

We all start somewhere; The first time you learn how to smoke a bong, there is an etiquette to follow to ensure you get the best experience possible. If you smoke with others, make sure you bring a bowl proportional to the number of people in your smoking circle.

If you’re with a friend or two, you can pack a smaller bowl or “snapshot” for each person. This allows you to take turns lighting individual miniature bowls that you pick up with a single hit.

For larger groups, the larger, well-packaged “Party Bowl” means everyone can have a fresh dash of green herbs.

Traditionally, anyone who delivers the marijuana can decide who lights the first hit. To ensure everyone has the same experience, just light a small serving of visible marijuana and place the flame on the edge of the bowl. This allows everyone to get the same taste without leaving and burning up an ashy blow for someone in the end.

If the bowl is cherry (the nug in the bowl is still lit) pass it on but let the recipient know.

And remember, never pocket anyone easier. Everyone hates lighter thieves!

With these tips, it should be a breeze to partake in a bong that you hit yourself or with friends. Remember to follow a good smoking label when filling a bowl for a friend and make sure you do Smoking marijuana in a safe and legal place.