Why Your Bong Hits Too Harsh and How to Fix It

Ever taken a hit and thought, “That was way too harsh”?

You can ruin a perfectly smooth session by having a dirty bong, the wrong water level, or a blockage in airflow. But the good news is you don’t necessarily have to throw the bong away.

A series of simple adjustments can remedy any problems, and you’ll be back to smooth blowing hits in no time. We take a look at how to sort out problems caused by old water, too much heat, and more, and show you how to get the most out of your glass bongs. While you’re here, we review a selection of quality bongs available from bong shops all over Australia.

1. Check Your Water Level

This means that water in the bong helps to cool and filter the smoke you inhale, but more water does not necessarily equal a smoother hit.

A too-low water level can mean that there is not enough filtration in the smoke. On the other hand, too much water in the bong can cause an uncomfortable draw and often leads to water leaking into the mouthpiece.

Start with the recommended water level (typically halfway down the Bong’s pipe) and then increase or decrease it depending on your preference for draw resistance.

2. Give Your Bong a Proper Clean

The harsh taste from hits is more than likely caused by the piece not being cleaned for a very long time.

Dirty equipment affects the flavour and smoothness of the hit. If you ignore cleaning your bong for a while, you’ll start tasting nasty flavours in your smoke and even smell an awful smell of old water from your bong.

A good bong cleaner along with a long brush will help to keep your setup looking and smelling fresh. Very often, simple cleaning of the bong is all that is needed to sort out a harsh-hitting bong.

Quick tip: Don’t just rinse and refill. Give the chamber, stem, and bowl a proper clean when buildup becomes noticeable.

3. Look at Your Bowl and Airflow

A blocked or overloaded bowl will help to restrict airflow and mean that you have to pull harder to achieve your hit. This can in itself feel much harsher than if you were taking smooth, well-filtered hits.

Be sure to check your bowl and stem for adequate airflow. In some cases, the bowl and stem are removable, so be sure to inspect those for adequate airflow and excess buildup of residue.

When it comes to replacement parts, there are a variety of stem sizes, cone pieces, screens, mouthpieces and other elements for your Bong that we have available for use when a single part begins to wear out or breaks.

4. Don’t Rush the Hit

This problem occurs not because of your equipment but because of your style of smoking.

A big hit pulled through quickly at first will often give the impression that the smoke feels harsher. But the size of the hit is largely a function of how one draws the piece – a slower, more controlled pull of smoke will generally result in the smoker getting the same amount of smoke as before, but with more comfort.

A great tip for avoiding a cough induced by harsh smoke is to take a hit at a much slower pace than you normally would.

5. Consider the Size and Design

Not every piece delivers the same experience.

Different chamber sizes and designs can allow for a greater amount of smoke to cool before it is inhaled. In addition, certain types of filters such as percolators can increase the amount of diffusion that takes place in the bowl. The smoke is split into a number of bubbles, which have a greater surface area to volume ratio, which increases the amount of heat that is transferred from the air in the bowl to the smoke.

From compact sizes and straightforward designs to large beakers, bubblers, and percolators, and a whole range of high-end pieces, The Bong Shop stocks a vast array of different bongs to suit different tastes and preferences.

Your smoke experience is also greatly affected by the size and design of your piece. The chamber of your bong and the filtration of your water pipe are two of the biggest determinants of your smoking experience. Of course, the cleanliness of your piece is also very important, but if your piece is always harsh, then perhaps the piece you are using just doesn’t suit you.

When Should You Upgrade?

As with any piece, there are a variety of ways that you can configure your bong. If you’re finding that the smoke from your bong is too harsh and you’ve tried the above steps to no avail, then it may be the design of the bong itself.

When looking at new bongs for sale in Australia, there are many different sizes, types of glass, different filtration methods, and price ranges to choose from. At The Bong Shop, we specialise in stocking a variety of glass bongs ranging from compact bongs to more premium models that are sure to suit any budget.

Choosing a bong is all about selecting a bong of the right size, the right airflow, and the right amount of filtration to suit you, rather than just buying the biggest bong possible.

FAQs

1. Why does my bong hit so harshly?

The harsh hit of smoke can be caused by many factors, including dirty bong equipment, incorrect water levels in the bong, restricted bong airflow, excessive bong heat, and taking huge hits off the bong.

2. How often should I clean my bong?

The frequency with which you will need to clean your bong will depend on your usage. Some users will need to clean their bong every week, whereas others can go for months without needing to clean it. When your bong does need to be cleaned, you will often be able to tell due to the following signs: visible residue, stale water, restricted airflow, and an unpleasant taste or smell.

3. Does more water make a bong smoother?

An adequate amount of water does not always equal a smoother hit. Adding too much water can cause restrictions in airflow and potentially cause splashback. Instead, focus on finding the optimal water level for your specified bong.

4. Are bigger bongs always smoother?

No, a bong’s size does not necessarily mean it is going to hit smoother. This all comes down to the design of the chamber, the amount of filtration, the airflow, and the user’s preferences when it comes to smoking.