Cannabis 101: Does the Ice in a Bong Trick Really Work?

Bongs have been used all over the world for thousands of years. Ancient cultures used bongs made of gold, gourds, and other materials to smoke an array of herbs and substances, including tobacco, opium, medicinal mixtures, salvia, and many more.

Of all the substances to be consumed with a bong, cannabis has no doubt remained the most linked to the smoking device. 

Today, most bongs are made of glass, ceramic, and even steel. Each is designed to create the optimal consumption session.

Still, users have found a variety of ways to modify the experience, the most common being adding ice to the water chamber of the piece. Many feel that putting ice in a bong helps create a smoother smoke and softens the hit on the throat

But does putting ice in a bong actually do anything?

How Does a Bong Work?

Bongs are smoking devices that work by filtering the smoke from a hit through water. The user lights the flower in the bowl, and the smoke travels through the downstem, percolates through the water in the base, which then enters the bong's uptake (or neck) for inhalation through the mouthpiece.

Each bong requires several essential components and may include add-ons for the optimal experience. Ideally, for most bong users, not only does the water filter the smoke, but the bong's larger neck (compared to a traditional pipe) also creates more smoke. This means fewer hits are needed to reach the desired experience.

Depending on the piece, bong components may include the following:

• Bowl piece
• Base/Tube
• Ash catcher   
• Joint   
• Down stem  
• Carb 
• Percolator   
• Splash Guard/Ice Catcher    
• Mouthpiece

Why Put Ice Cubes in a Bong?

Placing a few ice cubes in a bong cools the smoke, often reducing irritation to the throat compared to inhaling warmer smoke.

The ice modification may also help increase the flavor of the smoke, as cooler temperatures help preserve terpene content, which is a critical element to a cultivar's taste, aroma, and plant effects.

If you want to try smoking from a bong with ice in it, all you need to do is put a few decent-sized ice cubes through the mouthpiece into the neck of your favorite bong piece and consume as usual. Just make sure the cubes fit easily down the tube. Don't overload or smash ice into your bong, as this could break or damage your piece.

Some bongs feature an ice catcher or splash guard in the tube, which helps prevent the ice from falling into the water below.

However, many tubes lack an ice catcher or splash guard, so adding ice to these types of pieces means the cubes sit directly in the water at the base of the chamber. This is usually not ideal, as it can cause the water to overflow out of the bong through the stem/carb hole as the ice melts. It can also increase the likelihood of water rising up through the neck during each hit, getting bong water into the user's mouth.

In some cases, such as steel or certain ceramic bongs, you can go one step further and chill your bong in the freezer for additional coolness. But avoid doing this with glass, as the temperatures can lead to cracks and breaks in the pipe. 

Is It Bad to Put Ice in Your Bong?

In most cases, putting ice in a bong can be a good idea. Still, there are a few instances where you should consider whether using ice or even a bong is best for you. 

Your water may be a prime concern. If your ice comes from poor-quality or contaminated water, it may lead to adverse outcomes, including bacterial transmission. In one instance, a patient reportedly contracted a germ called pseudomonas NP from the water used in a filtered bong.¹ 

This is why it's important to always use clean water for both the bong and the ice, and to regularly clean your piece between sessions. Dirty bongs, dirty bong water, or dirty ice may increase health concerns

A New Zealand newsoutlet reported that researchers at the University of Otago reviewed studies involving thousands of cannabis using participants and found that some of these people had a higher risk of persistent coughing, bronchitis, and irreversible lung damage. In the cannabis community, these symptoms are often referred to as bong lung. 

Other pressing health concerns, such as pneumonia, have been linked to heavy smoking due to cannabis' reported ability to weaken the lungs.²

How to Use an Ice Bong

Using ice in a bong is as easy as adding ice to your bong. Then you'll just consume your cannabis as you normally do with your piece.

What You'll Need

• Bong 
• Ground cannabis
• Lighter
• Water
• Ice

Steps to Use an Ice Bong

• Step 1: Pour water until the down stem is partially submerged. Making sure not cover the carb with water and potentially leaving extra space for the ice if the piece does not have an ice catcher feature.
• Step 2: Add the ice to the bong, inserting it slowly into the mouthpiece. This ice modification works best in bongs with ice catchers. If your piece does not have this feature, remove the down stem before adding the ice to avoid breakage.
• Step 2: Place ground flower into the bowl.
• Step 3: Gently place your lips on the mouthpiece. Then, light the flower in the bowl and cover any carbs (if your piece doesn't have a carb on the neck, get ready to remove the bowl from the downstem). As the smoke begins to fill the tube, slowly inhale.
• Step 4: Remove the bowl from the downstem or fingers from the carb and inhale the smoke in the tube when ready.

Making the Most of Putting Ice in a Bong

The most critical factors to getting the most out of the "putting ice in a bong" smoking experience boil down to two key points: flower and bong quality and cleanliness. 

Bongs with more sophisticated down stems and percs will likely provide smoother smoke. Adding ice, whether it be crushed, cubed, or even designed for bong smoking, will create a cooler, potentially smoother smoke. But none of these elements will outweigh flower quality, and a clean device. 

The flower is crucial, as its plant profile dictates the aroma, flavor, and effects felt. With a clean bong, water, and even ice, you know you're smoking only your fresh flower, not some leftover resin or toxins from previous smoke sessions.

If you try smoking any bud from a dirty bong, you're likely to wind up with what some call a "spicy" hit, where the inhalation feels extra hot and all-around abrasive to the lungs. 

Whether using a traditional setup or an ice bong, keep your devices clean and consume the best flower possible. With those fundamentals in place, you can smoke your bong however you see fit.

References

1. Kumar AN, Soo CI, Ng BH, Hassan T, Ban AY, Manap RA. Marijuana "bong" pseudomonas lung infection: a detrimental recreational experience. Respirol Case Rep. 2017;6(2):e00293. Published 2017 Dec 22. doi:10.1002/rcr2.293 ↩︎
2. Yayan J, Rasche K. Damaging Effects of Cannabis Use on the Lungs. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;952:31-34. doi:10.1007/5584_2016_71 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.