do you put water in a silicone bong

Why do you fill a bong with water?

My favorite advantage of these waters is that they filter out harmful particles when you smoke weed. The smoke bubbles up in the water and picks up tar, ash, and other particles that could potentially enter your lungs. Remember, if you frequently smoke weed with a bong, you’ll end up breathing some of that nasty stuff into your lungs. That’s a terrible feeling.

Thc and other important molecules are mostly insoluble in water, so they pass through without being filtered out.

Water also cools the smoke, which changes the harsh, throat-burning taste of the smoke into something more pleasant. The smoke from burning plants can get hotter than 200°F (93°C), which is not only uncomfortable but can also make you cough and irritate your mucous membranes.

As heated steam moves through the water, the heat moves quickly from the steam to the water, which lowers the temperature of the smoke to a more acceptable range, usually 50–100°F (about 12–38°C). This cooling action makes the smoke smoother and softer, so it goes into the lungs easily while keeping the herb’s inherent flavor and making it less harsh.

Because of this, you’ll see that a lot of pot bongs have filters, which are special diffusers that split up the smoke into smaller bubbles to make it cooler and taste better.

Which Water Level Is Best for the Smoothest Hit?

“My silicone bong—how much water should I really put in it?” I am aware that practically every bong enthusiast struggles with this question on a regular basis. However, the water level needed for different bong shapes varies. I’ll go into great detail on how to fill different kinds of bongs with water below.

In my experience, there should be 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of water covering the downstem slits. The optimal level guarantees that the diffuser holes or slits on the downstem are completely submerged, with 1-2 inches above them. Why is this the ideal height? It gives the smoke a sufficient “water journey” in which bubbles are created as the smoke enters the water and collide with water molecules to filter and chill the air thoroughly. In addition, this range minimizes airflow obstructions and splashback from very high water. I’ve also included a list of water amounts for various bong shapes below.

Beaker bongs or straight tubes
Make sure the diffuser or downstem holes on straight tube or beaker bongs are “fully submerged and slightly above the waterline,” usually around half an inch (1.3 cm) above the waterline. Why a little higher? This ensures that every hole bubbles successfully without resulting in splashback or constrained airflow due to overfilling. The optimal level covers the downstem by approximately one inch (2.5 cm) above, which amplifies cooling and filtering benefits while maintaining a consistent water surface buffer. This is because beaker bongs have a wide base that can contain more water.

Bongs with a single stem and diffused downstems
Just cover every diffuser hole. Although more water often results in cooler smoke and smoother filtration, it also increases draw resistance. You must strike a balance between “smooth cooling” and “easy, unrestricted pulls”; for instance, begin with little water and add it gradually as you test until the hit is comfortable.

Ice pinches or percolators on bongs
Make sure all of the percolator holes and filtration chambers are completely submerged, but never allow them to overflow. For uniform smoke dispersal, the water level must cover all holes because percolators, like diffusers, improve filtering by producing more bubbles. Ice cubes can be positioned above using ice pinches to provide additional cooling since ice absorbs heat and creates a secondary chill. Why not overflow? As ice melts, it may result in unmanageable water levels, raising the possibility of splashback. Add ice after testing the base water level. In addition, the water level requirements for various perc designs are extremely particular.

Honeycomb Percs: “A thin layer just over the top of the honeycomb disc” or “roughly equal water above and below” are the standard methods. Why in this manner? Numerous tiny holes in honeycomb percs form micro-bubbles for filtration; too little water causes some holes to remain idle, resulting in uneven filtration; too much water causes significant draw resistance and the possibility of water splashing into the mouthpiece. Without compromising smoothness, a thin coating guarantees that each hole bubbles uniformly, providing uniform cooling.

Multi-Level or Tree Percs: The principle is to “cover the slits/holes on every level.” Add water from the top and use light blows or dry pulls to distribute it evenly to upper levels via air pressure.To fine-tune, drain a tiny amount of water from the bottom chamber if you hear a “chugging” sound, which is a low, blocked murmur that indicates too much water.

Cyclone or Turbine Percs: These require “very precise water levels” to form a stable vortex. Too high or low, and it fails, preventing the rotating cooling effect. Fine-tune to a point where it spins steadily without splashing.

Inline or Integrated Bottom Percs: Have the bottom inline/bottom perc “just barely over the waterline,” generally “just enough to submerge the slits/holes.”

What Is the Best Water for a Bong?

When we’re about to add water, many friends might wonder, “What water should I use in my weed bong?”—Don’t underestimate this question, as the water can profoundly affect your smoking experience. Especially if the water contains too many minerals or contaminants, it can lead to buildup on the inner walls, unpleasant odors, and even alter the smoke’s flavor.

So, let’s forget those casual suggestions like “just use tap water.” Today, I’ll recommend some of my favorite options.

First: Distilled Water—Why Is It the “Gold Standard” for Bongs?
Among the many choices, distilled water stands out and is considered the most ideal bong water by many experienced users. Why? Distilled water removes all minerals, chlorides, and impurities through an evaporation and condensation process, leaving behind pure H2O molecules. This means it won’t leave any deposits on the bong’s inner walls, avoiding common “scale” issues—those mineral residues not only clog airways but also absorb resin, making the smoke taste bitter or develop off-flavors.

The benefits of using distilled water are clear: it preserves the smoke’s original flavor without introducing any additional taste interference, allowing you to truly savor the cannabis’s essence.

Second: Saltwater
Salt water is also an option I highly recommend. We simply add a pinch of table salt to purified water (about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of water). to purified water to significantly enhance its performance. Why does it work? Salt (sodium chloride) has natural antibacterial and anti-mold properties; it increases the water’s osmotic pressure, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mold—this is especially crucial in the humid environment of a bong, extending the water’s usability to over a week without developing odors or slime.

Additionally, saltwater is said to be gentler on the throat: the salt mildly neutralizes the smoke’s irritants, providing a “soft buffer” that makes inhalation feel more comfortable, particularly for sensitive users.

Third: Teas and Beverages
For users seeking sensory stimulation, flavored waters and tea beverages (like lemon water, mint tea, or carbonated mineral water) can elevate the bong experience to new heights. These options introduce natural flavor molecules that interact with the smoke, creating multi-layered tastes—imagine the cool fusion of mint tea with smoke, or the tangy refreshment of lemon water neutralizing any potential bitterness.

Carbonated mineral water adds a “carbonation” effect: the bubbles amplify the filtration process, producing finer smoke diffusion. However, these innovations come at a cost—sugars, acidity, and minerals can accelerate resin and residue buildup, making the bong dirty faster and requiring more frequent cleaning (ideally, rinse after each use).

Fourth: Specialized Concentrate Solutions
If you’re a pro or heavy enthusiast, specialized concentrate solutions available on the market (like Piece Water Solution) could be your ultimate tool. These aren’t ordinary water but formulated with patented ingredients (such as plant extracts and surfactants) optimized specifically for bongs. Why are they so outstanding? They effectively prevent resin buildup and odor formation: the active ingredients create a “protective film” that makes it hard for resin to adhere to the inner walls, while neutralizing irritants in the smoke for a smoother, cooler hit. After trying it myself, I can confidently say it reduces bong cleaning frequency by over 50%, with purer smoke flavor.