Bongs have been used for thousands of years, spanning much of the world. 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, cannabis has no doubt remained the most linked to the smoking device.
Today, most bongs are made of glass, ceramic, and even steel. Each offers their own unique experience, but one aspect they all share is the occasional abrasive hit, for one reason or another. To offset that effect, many feel that putting ice in a bong helps smooth out the smoking experience and softens the hit on the throat.
But does putting ice in a bong actually work?
How Does a Bong Work?
In short, bongs are made to release a large amount of smoke into a consumer's lungs. Making this possible requires several essential components and add-ons to optimize the bong and its outcome. Depending on the bong, components may include the following:
- Bowl piece
- Base/Tube
- Ash catcher
- Joint
- Down stem
- Percolator
- Splash Guard/Ice Catcher
- Mouthpiece
Smoking from a bong helps cool your hits as the smoke travels through the down stem and percolates through the water in the base. More sophisticated down stems often contain numerous small holes to help aerate the smoke more, creating a smoother hit.
Why Put Ice Cubes in a Bong?
A quality down stem helps create a cooler, smoother hit in many bongs. However, these intricate designs can cause significant headaches for consumers when it comes to cleaning. In many cases, the holes and elaborate percolator designs can make it virtually impossible to reach some of the resin that builds up in certain parts of the piece.
The headache of cleaning these more intricate bongs has driven many to prefer a straightforward device. Choosing a simplified bong does come with its drawbacks, as more elaborate down stems and percolators do create a smoother smoke experience more often than not. Those looking for a smooth smoke without a complicated clean-up should consider putting ice in their bong.
Placing a few pieces of ice in a bong provides a cooling effect that often reduces irritation caused by hot smoke inhalation. Ice may also help increase the flavor of your 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 get your favorite piece and a few decently-sized ice cubes. Make sure the cubes fit easily down the tube. You don't want to be smashing any ice into your bong, leading to any potential breaks in the base. Many 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 do not contain an ice catcher or splash guard, allowing smokers to drop the cubes straight into the water below. However, this arrangement does increase your chances of inhaling some bong water as you inhale.
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 if using ice, or even a bong, is wise.
Your water may be a prime concern. If your ice comes from poor quality or contaminated water, it may lead to adverse outcomes, including bacteria transmission. In one instance, a patient reportedly contracted a germ called pseudomonas NP from the water used in a filtered bong.1
Additional health concerns may exist, including higher risks of bronchitis and irreversible lung damage. Known as bong lung, this irreversible effect has been linked to persistent coughing and destroyed lung tissues in some patients. 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 an ice bong is easy enough, requiring just a few steps.
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 submerged.
- Step 2: Remove the down stem if needed to avoid breakage and add the ice to the bong, inserting slowly into the mouthpiece (This works best in bongs with “ice catchers,” so you don’t have to remove the down stem).
- Step 2: Place ground flower into the bowl.
- Step 3: Put your lips on the mouthpiece. Then, light the flower in the bowl. As the smoke begins to fill the tube, slowly inhale.
- Step 4: Remove the carb and inhale the smoke in the tube when ready.
Remember to clean your bong before you use it again. Ice melts quickly, adding lots of water to the tube. If you fail to clear the water, you're setting yourself up for a mouthful of resin-y H2O on your next pull. A splash guard may help but likely won't prevent some from hitting your lips.
Making the Most of Putting Ice in a Bong
Getting the most out of any bong smoking experience boils down to several different factors. But the most critical factors to an enjoyable smoking experience boil down to two key points: flower quality and cleanliness.
Bongs with more sophisticated down stems and percs will likely provide smoother smoke. It is the same with adding ice, whether it be crushed, cubed, or even designed for bong smoking. 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, you know you're smoking only the freshest 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
- 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 ↩︎
- 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.
