What’s in Your Bong Water? Why You Should Change it Regularly

Do you change your bong water regularly, or are you the type to let it ‘marinate’ for a while before refreshing the contents? If you’re part of the latter group, you’re going to want to keep reading!

Bongs, also known as water pipes or bubbles, are essential in any toker’s stash box. Bongs deliver large hits of weed and provide a smoother taste since the bong water filters the smoke, making it easier to inhale more.

However, like any filter, your bong and bong water must be cleaned and refreshed periodically to ensure consistently smooth and potent hits!

In this article, we’re going to explain why it’s essential to change your bong water, how often to do it and possible alternatives. 

Let’s get into it!

Why You Should Change Your Bong Water

If you know how to use a bong, you’ll know that the device works by filtering smoke through the water, making it easier for the user to inhale a smooth toke. In this way, the bong water acts to simultaneously cool and filter the smoke before it enters your lungs. 

A bong will filter and remove most of the tar and plant matter from the smoke to produce a smoother, cleaner hit than smoking. However, this also means that your bong water will get progressively dirtier and dirtier the more frequently you use it.

If you have a bong yourself or know someone that does, you might have noticed the slight yellow tinge of the bong water and the black specs of tar floating around. 

As with any filter, your bong’s water can also become saturated to the point where it becomes necessary to replace it. While the water’s overall filtration ability might not be affected to the point where you won’t be able to hit your bong anymore, there are other dangers to not replacing it.

Let’s put it into greater context. Have you ever left a glass of water out for a few days outside or in a humid area in your house? After drinking a few sips, you might’ve noticed that the taste has changed. Worse yet, there might even be small pools of algae or yeast floating around! 

Stagnant water, like your bong water, can become a rampant breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and other harmful organisms that can negatively affect your health. 

Although you’re not drinking it, having your smoke filter through it won’t be too healthy for you either! 

If you want the cleanest, healthiest hits off of your bong, make sure to change the water frequently! 

How Often Should I Change Bong Water?

When it comes to changing bong water, there isn’t any hard or fast rule for frequency. 

If it were up to us, we would tell you to change the water every time you smoke. Realistically speaking, this isn’t too difficult. However, at the same time, we’re tokers ourselves, so we know how it goes. Sometimes you just want to blaze up without skipping a beat! 

We get it. If changing the water every time you use your bong is too much, the next best option is to change it whenever you notice a biofilm developing on top. 

A biofilm is simply a thin layer of organic and inorganic material that collects on a liquid’s surface. Biofilms frequently develop on the surface of stagnant water, and they’re easily identifiable by their glossy, reflective and milky appearance. 

While water can act as a filter for your smoke, it’s not a good idea to filter it through when it’s filled with hazardous materials! 

Alternatives to Water?

If you want to spice up your smoke sesh, there are alternatives to water that you can use in your bong! 

Ice is an excellent addition to water since it acts to help cool the smoke down before it’s inhaled to provide a cleaner hit. 

Alternatively, many tokers enjoy replacing their bong water with unsweetened juice. The juice gives a cool colour when the bong is in use and can also provide a tiny bit of flavour to your smoke. That said, if you choose to use juice, you better clean out your bong every time you use it! 

Other tokers prefer using flavoured sparkling water to add little pomp and fizz to their experience. The bubbly texture of the water can supplement the experience of your bong hits with added crispiness and flavour.

If you really want to take it to the next level, adding herbs and aromatics such as citrus peels, mint leaves, or cloves can give your smoke a rich, fragrant taste that’s incredibly similar to smoking a hookah. 

When it comes to bong water alternatives, the sky is your limit, with a few minor caveats.

Avoid using sugary substances as they can cause mould to develop inside your bong. Using coffee can stain your bong forever and permanently alter the taste of your hits afterwards. Avoid using liquor, as the alcohol fumes can ignite when you’re taking a hit. 

Not only that but mixing weed and alcohol is never a good idea, just as a rule of thumb! 

Keep the Good Times Flowing

For many of us, bong water may just be an afterthought. However, after reading this write-up, we hope we were able to convince you otherwise! 

If there’s any takeaway that you get from this article, it should be that you should replace your bong water consistently. While the health hazards are generally low, that doesn’t mean you can re-use the same water for months without replacing it! 

Fresh water will filter the smoke more efficiently, provide cleaner hits, and won’t cause you to get sick!

Make sure to remember these benefits the next time your buddy tells you that the yellow water in their bong is ‘fine!’

Happy toking!