There comes a time in every smoker’s journey when you have to ask yourself if you are using the right bong. Notwithstanding the endless discussion of what the best bong might be in the market, you have to find the right fit for you. However, this can be a very daunting experience. This is due to the vast choices of bongs with different features on offer. To make your quest less daunting, getting current information on bongs and their accessories is imperative.
Bongs can be distinguished by many factors that can also reflect your particular preferences. One of the features that identify and distinguish bongs is the material they are made from. This article focuses on such materials. The bong-making materials here are ceramic, plastic (acrylic), and glass. Though it might sound a tad complicated, by the end of this article you will have a complete comprehension of bongs made from each material. This will make your decision-making process easier.
The Criteria Used
The quality and user experience of any bong is determined by various essential factors. They include:
- The price of the bong
- The bong’s performance
- The durability of the bong
- Its customization features
Although there are other factors to consider when thinking of getting a bong, these are arguably the most important. For this reason, this article will give you a solid idea of what a good bong constitutes.
Here is a comprehensive look at ceramic vs. plastic vs. glass.
1. Ceramic Bongs
Technically, ceramic bongs are the oldest of this bunch. Some of the old remnants of this material were found thousands of years ago. However, use of this material came to be used for bongs way later. But in the ’60s and ’70s, these bongs were overtaken when glass blowing emerged and gave rise to glass bongs.
Yet, it does not mean that there was a fault with ceramic. The ceramic bong was simply overtaken by time and technology. This is because, with the transition in the demand of bongs, manufacturers found a way to deal with the situation. Glass bongs could be mass-produced, took less time to make, and offered a lot more customization options.
After all is said and done, ceramic bongs are a solid choice. They are heavy-duty, reliable, and functional. After going through the nitty-gritty of these bongs as listed below, you can be in a better position to make your own judgment.
Ceramic Bongs’ Performance
Performance in bong terms describes the diffusion, smoothness, and taste that it brings to the table. If you have to rank the three types of bongs, the ceramic ones will probably come in second. However, this may vary from user to user. Compared to glass bongs, they have a slight disadvantage. Here are a few reasons why:
- They lack as many customization options as glass bongs do.
- They have fewer working parts than their glass counterparts.
- They have lower-quality designs than glass bongs.
- They offer less filtration than glass bongs.
Ceramic Bongs’ Durability
One of the best qualities of ceramic bongs is their durability. Although they will still break from a major fall, they are more durable than glass. Additionally, sudden temperature changes do not affect them as much. They also do not have many parts that that may be vulnerable to breakage over time. In short, due to the thick ceramic material, they are hardy and long-lasting, as long as you do not drop them.
Ceramic Bongs’ Customization
Ceramic bongs are not the best option if you want a piece that you can customize. If you want to enhance diffusion, performance, and percolation, this is not the pipe for you. However, they do have some awesome custom designs that outrank the rest.
Ceramic Bongs’ Prices
In matters of price, these bongs are fairly priced. This can be attributed to the fact that they have lesser intricate designs and even fewer working parts.
All in all, a ceramic bong gives you a smooth and clean hit every time you are smoking. Additionally, they are way better than other options, with the exception of glass bongs. They are also a great addition to your collection because they have that vintage feel and can fit into an antique setting, if that is your thing.
2. Glass Bongs
New designs using this material have been hand-blown for over 50 years. This has achieved better filtration, airflow, cooling, and diffusion, creating a better smoking experience. Most users, both experienced and newbies, say that this is the best type of bong. These bongs are highly customizable, creative, and high-quality and make smoking your CBD product memorable. Although they are seemingly perfect, they also have a few setbacks. Here is a comparison using the four factors:
Glass Bongs’ Performance
Glass bongs have the highest performance compared to the rest, hands down. This is due to a few reasons.
- Malleability – Glass is the most malleable material of the three, giving designers a whole lot to work with. They can get extra creative with their designs in many areas. They can integrate ash catchers, diffused down stems, ice catchers, and percolators, just to name a few.
- Standardized – These bongs have more standardized joints than other types of bongs. This means that they are more compatible with most bong accessories. These accessories improve your bong’s performance, giving you a smoking experience that is perfect for your liking.
- Evolving – Due to the nature of glass, people have been able to experiment with various aspects of it to come up with ingenious ways to smoke. This has been done for many years and will be done for many more. This means better glass bongs will continue to be available at almost any point in time.
Glass Bongs’ Durability
The durability of glass bongs is relative. It depends on factors such as size, design, and brand. However, it is safe to say that they are fairly durable, although they can be susceptible to extreme heat changes and breaking due to the occasional accidental fall. To ensure you get a good glass bong, though, there are a few things you should look out for.
- The bong should have a thick glass.
- It should have a thick base.
- Its design should be proportionate.
- Its intricate parts should be sturdy.
- It should be from a reputable manufacturer.
If you find a pipe that has all the above features, you have hit the jackpot. The rest is up to you; just ensure you clean it thoroughly after using it every time.
However, compared to the other three, it is the least durable. It might be the best hit you will ever have, but it could also be the last for the session if you accidentally drop it.
Glass Bongs’ Customization
This is another aspect of glass bongs that remarkably beats the rest. Compared to plastic and ceramic bongs, glass bongs are at the top of the list. In short, customization for this bong is the most versatile and has the best end result. As mentioned earlier, this is due to glass’ malleability properties, popularity among users, and its long history. There are so many accessories that can go with glass bongs, making them the best of all. You can accessorize your glass bong with a number of upgrades, such as quartz bangers, glass bowl attachments, diffused down stems, dab nails, ash catchers, and ice catchers, just to name a few.
The popularity of glass bongs can be attributed to the vast choice of different products they come in. However, in your endeavors to find the perfect glass bong, an important point to remember is getting attachments that fit perfectly. This is especially true for the gender and the joint size of your bong.
Glass Bongs’ Prices
As a smoker, what you are looking for is the best hit you can ever get. Compared to plastic and ceramic bongs, glass bongs will give you just that. They will not contaminate your smoke with other compounds and will give you better service. However, this will come at a slightly higher price. On average, a solid glass bong can cost anywhere between $50 to $150. On the higher end of the market, you can even get glass bongs that cost $500 or even more.
3. Plastic Bongs
Plastic or acrylic bongs are usually made from materials that are inexpensive. Experienced users have compared them to cheap water pipes. They are basic, functional, and get the job done. Also, they come in a variety of designs and colors and are by far the cheapest of the three types of bongs. However, they say that you get what you pay for, and for this bong type, this is particularly true.
Seasoned smokers will tell you that this is a bong that is used by users who are just starting out. If you are looking for the cheapest way to smoke your CBD dab, you cannot go wrong with this bong. It is virtually indestructible and is quite sturdy.
However, the smoke and quality of the hit you get are the worst of the three bong types. The quality is not pleasant, and it has been suggested that taking a hit from a homemade bong is more satisfying. Furthermore, heated plastic has been known to release toxic fumes that can be harmful to your health. It has been said that these compounds are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancers such as leukemia or breast cancer, just to name a couple.
Here is a look at how it ranks against the others so that you can make an informed choice.
Plastic Bongs’ Performance
Plastic bongs have been said to have not only the lowest performance level but also give you the least rewarding smoking experience. This is as a result of a few reasons.
- No Diffusion – If you compare a plastic bong to a ceramic or a glass bong, you can easily see why its performance has shortcomings. Unlike the others, the only form of diffusion plastic bongs offer is filtration through the water. Some even have metallic down stems with no slits to accommodate diffusion.
- No Percolators – It is hard to find plastic bongs with percolators. This is primarily because their intricate design does not fit in well with the inexpensive and indestructible nature of plastic bongs.
- Bad Design – Typically, this design entails the whole bong being made of plastic while the bowl and down stem is made from metal. When this combination is heated up, the end result is an awful taste in your smoke. It is just a waste of a good-quality CBD concentrate.
Plastic Bongs’ Durability
Despite all the negatives about plastic bongs, they outrank the rest when it comes to durability. In this category, they are the best of the best, hands down. If you are a frequent traveler or are the clumsy type, this is the bong for you. They can take anything you throw at them without breaking or losing the quality of their functionality.
Plastic Bongs’ Customization
When it comes to customization, plastic bongs do not give you a lot of leeway. You may add a glass bowl attachment, which might be worth more than the bong, which is kind of counterproductive. Moreover, you cannot accessorize your plastic bong with ashcatchers or percolators. Even if you could find a way to do it, the bad taste from the plastic will still be an issue.
Plastic Bongs’ Prices
This is another category where the plastic bong beats the others. It is the cheapest of them all due to the inexpensive material it is made from. A typical plastic bong might cost you around five dollars or less. The ones on the high end cost about $25. If you just want to get high and do not mind the quality of the hit, then this is an affordable option.
The Take-Away
If you are shopping for a bong that suits your needs, now it should be less daunting. You now have information about ceramic, plastic, and glass bongs to make an informed decision. At the end of the day, even if you have a CBD dab of the highest quality, smoking it wrong is just a waste. Invest in a bong that will give you the best hits, even if it costs you just a few more bucks.
You can visit Fat Buddha Glass for more on glass, plastic, and ceramic bongs and even buy a high-quality piece from our collection.
