Bong Upgrades: When to Replace or Upgrade Parts

We all can attest that bongs are an absolute must-have for cannabis consumers. However, just like any other human-made object, bongs experience signs of tear and wear over time, failing to provide an enjoyable smoking experience. 

In this blog post, we will uncover the five signs your bong is nearing the end of its lifespan, and what you can do about it. Stick around to learn which bong parts can be upgraded and when you must consider a complete replacement. 

Bong Upgrades- Everything You Need to Know, From Accessories to Replacement

Top 5 Signs It's Time for An Upgrade

It Gets Old and Outdated

If you started smoking cannabis way before it was legalized in some states of the US, you need a new bong. Wondering why? First, it's out of style. Second, it's older than that 10-year-old kid next door.

When your smoking companion gets old, it leaves you with harsh, unsatisfying tokes - A feeling we don’t enjoy. 

Without a doubt, traditional bongs will always have your back, but due to their intricate and complex designs, dirt and resin often accumulate, making the bong parts less functional, calling for a new bong.

It's Damaged 

Bongs are delicate smoking equipment, and sadly, even the most robust are not immune to this. If you drop your bong on the floor, one or several pieces may break. While it's easy to use DIY fixing, this will not improve the situation.  

Let's say you break your downstream and use duct tape to try fixing it. The percolators will not work well, and even if you are lucky enough to make it work, you will only end up inhaling the cannabis and the duck tape, which is unsafe for your health. The best solution, in this case, is buying a new piece.

It Seems Impossible to Clean Resins and Gunk 

Cleaning bongs is definitely not something we all enjoy doing, but if you don't make a habit of cleaning your bongs after every use, you will need to buy a new one sooner than expected. 

When you fail to clean your bong, dirt, and resin accumulate on the downstem and bowl. The residues build up over time, making it more challenging to clean them. Although your bong may work fine with the dirt and resin, smoking cannabis in a dirty pot can pose more risk to your health.

It's Not Giving You The Best Hits

It's not always your fault when your bong is acting up. Even if you buy the best bong accessories to clean up dirt, some bongs just have a way of making your smoking experience less enjoyable.

If you notice your bong isn't giving you the best hits, or every time you smoke, you remain with resin on your lips; it's time to make an upgrade. It may not seem like the best decision, especially if you recently purchased the bong, but it will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

You Want to Upgrade to a Better Quality

Frankly, we all desire to keep up with the trends, and this is no exception to bongs. Imagine all your friends have cute bongs; you are the only one left with a conventional bong. You will feel left out during your smoking sessions, right? 

Lucky for you - with the rising number of cannabis enthusiasts, modern industries have emerged with a wide range of bong materials and designs. You can get one that matches your style and preferences. Whether you desire one with intricate bong parts or a simple one, you will find one that suits you.

Parts for Bong That Can Be Upgraded

Just because one part of a bong is broken doesn't imply that you should buy a new one. Here are the parts you can upgrade instead of buying new.

The Downstem

The downstream is responsible for drawing smoke from the Bowl into the water chamber, where it's filtered and cooled. If your downstem is not functioning properly, you won't have smoother and good hits. However, you can customize your downstem and easily attach it to your main bong, thus improving smoke diffusion and filtration.

The Bowl

The Bowl is yet another bong accessory that can frustrate you when in bad condition. Being the part that holds marijuana, it's prone to accumulate dirt and resins, which can be daunting to get rid of. Unless you have a flexible cleaning brush that can reach those hard-to-reach areas, you may need to buy another bowl part.

The Mouthpiece

As the name suggests, this is the part where you put your mouth to smoke out the cannabis. If your bong has a smaller mouthpiece, you might want to refrain from using it, especially if you are going for a serious occasion. 

A small mouthpiece tends to leave resin on your lips, which can be pretty embarrassing. Luckily, replacing it with a larger mouthpiece can be a game-changer. Explore the variety at a leading online head shop and find a new mouthpiece to ensure a pleasant smoking experience. 

The Water Chamber

The water chamber, or perhaps the bong's base, is typically filled with water to filter the cannabis smoke. It comes in many shapes, which can sometimes make it difficult to clean the filtered resin or dirt. Not cleaning it can ruin your smoking experience; thus, you may be forced to replace it over time.

Percolator 

If you enjoy cool and smoother hits, you need not miss getting a percolator. This special bong part can come in many forms, including chambers and small holes through which smoke makes its way, cooling it down in the process. Most percolators come attached to the bong, but there are also plenty of attachable pieces in most head shops.

Getting new bong parts and some accessories may help improve your smoking experience, but this doesn't work on all bongs. If your bong's lifespan has passed, your last resort will be to buy a new one. 

When to Replace the Entire Bong

Bong can be replaced entirely depending on several factors, including:

• The severity of the damage: If the main important bong parts are damaged in a way that cannot be fixed, you may need to buy a new bong.
• Excessive Residue: If you have tried using bong cleaning supplies without positive results, it's time to get a new bong.
• Lack of functionality: When most of your bong parts are less functional, the bong no longer delivers smooth hits, calling for replacement.

DIY Vs. Professional Upgrades

DIY bongs may be your fastest ticket to enjoying smooth hits when your bong has failed you, but the after-damage it causes is not worth risking. Here is why - most DIY bongs are usually made of plastic. When heated, the plastic releases BPA, phthalates, and other dangerous components that affect fertility and damage the lungs.

Professionals use glass to make bong accessories. Unlike plastic, glass does not release any dangerous chemicals that may pose a threat to your health. So, to have a good smoking experience without compromising your health, consider going to a professional for any bong upgrades.