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Anatomy of a Bong: Hver del forklart
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Anatomy of a Bong: Hver del forklart

7 min readUpdated: 10. des. 2025
Emma Chen

Emma Chen

Glass Specialist

Anatomy of a Bong: Hver del forklart

Å forstå bongens anatomi hjelper deg å bruke den riktig, feilsøke problemer og ta informerte kjøpsbeslutninger. Enten du kjøper din første bong eller oppgraderer komponenter, er det viktig å vite hva hver del gjør.

raskt svar

En grunnleggende bong har disse essensielle delene: rør (hovedkammer), base (vannreservoar), munnstykke (toppåpning), nedstamme (rør som strekker seg inn i vann) og bolle (hvor du pakker cannabis). Valgfrie komponenter inkluderer perkolatorer (ekstra filtrering), isfangere (røykkjøling), sprutbeskyttelse og askefangere.


Viktige deler (hver bong har disse)

røret/kammeret

Den vertikale hoveddelen av bongen der røyk samler seg før du inhalerer.

Function:

  • holder røyk før rydning
  • lar deg se røyktetthet
  • Inneholder valgfrie funksjoner som perkolatorer og isfangere

Materials:

  • Glass: mest vanlig, ren smak, skjør
  • Silicone: Slitesterk, bærbar, fleksibel
  • Acrylic: Budsjettvennlig, slitesterk, ikke ideell for smak
  • Ceramic: kunstnerisk, tung, skjør

Størrelse betyr noe:

  • Små rør (8-10"): mindre røyk, lettere å tømme, bærbar
  • Middels rør (12-16"): balanse mellom jevnhet og praktisk
  • store rør (18"+): maksimal røykkapasitet, kun hjemmebruk


The Base

Den nederste delen som holder vann og gir stabilitet.

Vanlige former:

beger base:

  • bred, trekantet (som laboratoriebeger)
  • Mest stabil design
  • holder mer vann = mer filtrering
  • vanskeligere å rengjøre hjørner

Rett rør:

  • Ensartet sylinder fra topp til bunn
  • Mindre stabil (trenger flat overflate)
  • Lettere å rengjøre
  • Mindre vannkapasitet

rund base:

  • boble eller kuleform
  • Moderat stabilitet
  • kunstnerisk utseende
  • Moderat vannkapasitet

Function:

  • holder vann for filtrering
  • Gir stabilitet
  • Større base = mer vann = kjøligere, jevnere treff


munnstykket

Åpningen på toppen der du plasserer leppene dine.

Designtyper:

utsvingt munnstykke:

  • kantene buer utover
  • Komfortabel fors
  • Mest vanlig design

rett kant:

  • Røret slutter uten bluss
  • Noen synes det er mindre behagelig
  • kan legge til munnstykkefeste

Bent Neck:

  • Rør bøyer seg før munnstykket
  • Vinklet for komfort
  • holder vannet lenger fra ansiktet
  • reduserer sprutrisiko

Riktig bruk:

  • leppene går litt inne i åpningen
  • lage lufttett forsegling
  • Ikke pakk leppene rundt utenfor (mister forseglingen)


nedstammen

Et rør som strekker seg fra bolleskjøten ned i vannet. Det er her magien skjer.

Function:

  • bærer røyk fra bollen til vannet
  • skaper bobler som filtrerer røyk
  • Hullene/spaltene nederst bestemmer boblestørrelsen

Types:

Standard nedstamme:

  • Enkelt rør med en åpning eller noen spalter
  • grunnleggende filtrering
  • Lett å rengjøre
  • rimeligst

diffus nedstamme:

  • flere spalter eller hull nederst
  • skaper mindre bobler = mer filtrering
  • jevnere treff
  • dyrere

fast nedstamme:

  • innebygd i bong (ikke avtagbar)
  • Noen vitenskapelige bonger bruker dette
  • Kan ikke oppgraderes eller enkelt rengjøres

Sizing:

  • Joint size: 14 mm eller 18 mm (må matche bongen din)
  • Length: målt i tommer, varierer etter bong
  • skal strekke seg ca 1" ned i vann når bong er fylt

Erstatningsmerknad:

Nedstammer er forbrukbare - de går i stykker eller blir tette. Å ha en reserve er smart.


bollen / lysbildet

det avtakbare stykket der du pakker cannabisen. Også kalt en "slide" fordi du skyver den inn og ut.

Function:

  • holder cannabis
  • Avtakbar for å fjerne røyk (de fleste bonger)
  • kan oppgradere for ulike opplevelser

Types:

Standard bolle:

  • enkel kjegle eller koppform
  • Ulike størrelser (personlig til fest)
  • mest vanlig

skjermskål:

  • Innebygd skjerm forhindrer rusk
  • dyrere
  • varer lenger uten erstatningsskjermer

Push Bowl:

  • glir inn i stedet for å løfte ut
  • mindre vanlig

Leddstørrelser:

  • 14mm: Most common, medium bongs
  • 18mm: Large bongs, bigger bowls
  • 10mm: Small/mini bongs (rare)

Bowl must match bong's joint size (or use adapter).


Optional Components (Enhanced Bongs)

Percolators (Percs)

Additional filtration devices inside the tube that further cool and filter smoke.

How They Work:

Force smoke through water or small holes multiple times, creating more bubbles and filtration.

Common Types:

Tree Perc:

  • Multiple arms hanging down
  • Each arm has slits
  • Good filtration, iconic look
  • Can be fragile

Honeycomb Perc:

  • Flat disc with many holes
  • Creates tiny bubbles
  • Great filtration
  • Relatively durable

Showerhead Perc:

  • Tube with slits pointing down
  • Like a showerhead (hence name)
  • Good filtration
  • Easy to clean

Turbine/Cyclone Perc:

  • Creates spinning water effect
  • Visual appeal + filtration
  • Moderate drag

Inline Perc:

  • Horizontal tube with slits
  • Often in base of scientific bongs
  • Excellent diffusion

Matrix Perc:

  • Combines multiple perc styles
  • Maximum filtration
  • Higher drag

Tradeoff:

More percs = smoother hits BUT more drag (harder to pull) and harder to clean.


Ice Catcher / Ice Pinch

Notches or pinches in the tube that hold ice cubes above the water.

Function:

  • Ice cools smoke as it passes
  • Results in cooler, smoother hits
  • Especially helpful for large hits

Design:

  • Usually 3 small glass notches
  • Positioned above water line
  • Some bongs have ice-catcher chambers instead

Using Ice:

  • Add ice cubes after filling water
  • Drop through mouthpiece
  • They'll catch on the notches
  • Replace as they melt

Note:

Not all bongs have ice catchers. It's an optional feature to look for when buying.


Splash Guard

A dome or barrier above the water that prevents water from reaching your mouth.

Function:

  • Blocks water splash during hard inhales
  • Allows higher water levels
  • Common in bongs with multiple percs

Design:

  • Small dome with openings for smoke
  • Positioned above water/perc
  • Smoke passes through, water can't


Ash Catcher

External attachment that catches ash and debris before it enters the main bong.

Function:

  • Pre-filters smoke
  • Keeps main bong cleaner longer
  • Often adds another percolator

Attachment:

  • Goes between bowl and downstem
  • Has its own water chamber
  • Matches bong's joint size

Tradeoff:

Adds complexity and height but significantly reduces main bong cleaning frequency.


Carb Hole

A hole on the side of the tube (instead of removable bowl).

Function:

  • Cover while inhaling
  • Release to clear chamber
  • Alternative to removable bowl

More common on:

  • Simpler/cheaper bongs
  • Pipes (standard feature)
  • Older designs

Most modern glass bongs use removable bowls instead.


How Parts Work Together

The Process:

1. Water fills base and covers downstem slits

2. Bowl holds cannabis, seated in joint above downstem

3. You light bowl and inhale through mouthpiece

4. Downstem carries smoke underwater, creating bubbles

5. Percolators (if present) add more filtration

6. Smoke rises through tube

7. Ice catcher (if present) cools smoke further

8. You remove bowl (or release carb) to clear

9. Splash guard (if present) prevents water entering mouth

10. Smoke enters lungs through mouthpiece


Upgrading Your Bong

Many components are interchangeable:

Easy Upgrades:

  • Better bowl (different size, screen included)
  • Diffused downstem (replaces standard)
  • Ash catcher (adds on)

Matching Joints:

Everything must match your bong's joint size (14mm or 18mm typically).

Adapters:

Allow mixing sizes:

  • 18mm bong with 14mm bowl? Use 18mm-to-14mm adapter
  • Opens up accessory options


Choosing Based on Parts

For Beginners:

  • Simple tube or beaker
  • Standard downstem (maybe diffused)
  • No percs or single perc
  • Easy to use and clean

For Smooth Hits:

  • Multiple percolators
  • Ice catcher
  • Diffused downstem
  • More complex but smoother

For Easy Cleaning:

  • Straight tube design
  • Minimal percs (or easy-clean designs like honeycomb)
  • Removable downstem
  • Avoid intricate tree percs

For Durability:

  • Thick glass (5mm+)
  • Silicone (if not glass)
  • Simple design (fewer fragile parts)
  • Beaker base (most stable)


This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

The downstem is arguably most important - it connects the bowl to the water and creates the filtration. Without a proper downstem, smoke wouldn't be filtered. The water level (covering the downstem) determines filtration quality.

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