If you've been shopping for a new piece recently, then you've probably seen the term "percolator bong" more times than you can count. You might be asking yourself, "What is this style of bong, and is it really worth paying more money for?" Well, let's take a look at all there is to know about this style of bong, as well as some pros and cons, to help you decide if this piece is worth adding to your collection.
Understanding Percolator Bongs
Percolator bong, basically, refers to a water pipe that has an additional feature, that of filtration, incorporated into the device. A percolator bong, therefore, can be considered an improvement over the standard bong. A percolator, on the other hand, refers to the glass piece that forces the smoke into the water multiple times.
So what does a percolator do within a bong? Well, essentially what a percolator does is create more bubbles within the bong due to its ability to break down the smoke into smaller pieces. This occurs when the smoke passes through the slits of the percolator design. This provides a different type of water filtration and smoking experience.
Common Types of Percolators
You will find several designs when buying a bong percolator:
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Tree percs: Resemble trees, having a number of arms growing from a central tube.
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Honeycomb percs: These have a flat shape and contain numerous small holes.
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Showerhead percs: These have a unique inverted showerhead design with slits around the edges.
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Inline percs: Horizontal tubes with slits that sit at the base.
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Matrix percs: Grids of holes on all sides.
Each of them works in a different way, and they all have one basic function: that of increasing smoke filtration through interaction with water.
What Are the Pros of Percolator Bongs?
Smoother Hits Every Time
The biggest advantage, however, is definitely the smoothness. The bong percolator makes way more bubbles than just a normal straight tube. All those bubbles ensure that the smoke is cooled down much more before it hits your throat. If you have ever coughed your lungs out from harsh smoke, then this difference will be greatly appreciated.
The process of the water filtration bong gets supercharged when a perc is used. Rather than just going through the water once, it can now be filtered multiple times depending on the configuration. This additional cooling results in a much more comfortable experience.
Better Filtration of Unwanted Stuff
This means more water contact, which in turn means more efficient smoke filtration. Diffusion percolator breaks the smoke down into small particles, which allows the water more surface contact with ash, resin, and whatever else you don't want inhaled, but which might otherwise make its way through the smoke. Your hits taste cleaner, which is a nice side effect, but the main point is that there's less junk getting through the smoke.
And this new bong filtration system keeps your piece a little cleaner in-between deep cleaning. More trash is caught in the water rather than on the piece.
Enhanced Flavor Profile
Now, here’s something that many may not know: percolator bongs can, in fact, enhance the taste of the smoke. This is because the smoke is cooled to such an extent that the burning feeling, which may interfere with the taste, is not present. Many have found that the taste of the herb itself is more prominent when using a good quality glass percolator bong.
Impressive Visual Appeal
Let's be honest, percolators look pretty cool. Watching the smoke go through all those different levels, creating all those bubbles, is pretty satisfying. A well-designed multi-percolator bong becomes a conversation piece, rather than just a tool.
What Are the Cons of Percolator Bongs?
More Difficult to Clean
This is probably the biggest complaint. How to clean a percolator bong is a question that is constantly coming up, and it’s easy to see why. All the little holes and spaces that help create such excellent filtration also help create a whole lot of nooks and crannies that the resin loves to hide in.
You can’t just swish some cleaning solution around and call it a day. To perc clean it, you might need:
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Let it soak in isopropyl alcohol for several hours
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Use pipe cleaners or brushes to access hard-to-reach areas
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Rinse several times to remove all of cleaning solution
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Way more patient than cleaning a regular bong
If you're an individual who doesn't like maintenance, this is probably a show-stopper.
Higher Price Point
Quality glass percolator bongs are also going to be more costly than straight tubes. The additional work required to ensure that percolators actually work means that, again, you're going to have to spend more. Where budget bongs might be $50-$80, quality percolators might be $200-$400.
Increased Airflow Resistance
Of course, all this additional filtration comes with a trade-off, namely that it requires more effort to draw smoke through the device. The resistance in the draw is amplified the more percolators the device has. A multi-percs bong with three or four percs might provide the smoothest hits possible, but it will require the lungs to work harder to draw in the smoke.
Of course, this isn't necessarily a big issue in terms of overall functionality, but if you have any respiratory problems or prefer effortless vaping, you might get a little frustrated.
More Fragile Design
Percolators add intricate inner details to your bong. More glass components equal more components to break if you're clumsy with handling your bong or improper cleaning techniques. Those thin little arms of the tree perc or honeycomb discs aren't exactly fragile item-friendly.
Can Reduce Potency Slightly
Here’s one that might irritate some users – extensive water filtration, which involves using many percs, might end up filtering out some of the active ingredients along with the impurities. While it’s not a big difference, some people might notice that they have to use a bit more material to attain similar results, as opposed to using a regular bong.
Percolator Bong vs Regular: How To Choose
So how do you choose between a percolator bong and a standard water pipe? Well, it is really a matter of what is most important to you.
Choose a percolator bong if you:
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Value smooth, cool hits above everything else
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Don't mind spending extra time on cleaning
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Want impressive visual function from your piece
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Have the budget for a quality glass piece
Stick with a regular bong if you:
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Want something simple and easy to maintain
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Prefer less airflow resistance
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Are working with a tighter budget
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Need something more durable for travel or heavy use
There is no right or wrong answer in this question. Some people own all the mentioned types and use each type separately.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Perc Bong
If you are inclined towards the percolator route, here are some ways of maximizing your experience:
Add ice if possible: There are many bongs available that come with ice catches. The combination of cold water, ice, and perc filtering can make for very smooth hits.
Use the right water level: Excessive water can cause undue drag. Fill it to the level where it covers the percolator slits or holes. Each design is slightly unique, so it is best to experiment a bit.
Clean regularly: Don’t wait until the piece is completely clogged. A clean every now and again can prevent big build-ups, ensuring that the hits taste as fresh as possible.
Start with a single perc: If you're new to percolators, do not immediately jump into a complex multi-percolator bong. Keep it simple and try it out first.
Check out quality pieces: Bakebuds boasts various options, including our selection of bongs and water pipes, designed for performance as well as aesthetics. Even percolator bongs, with all the advanced filtration, have some enthusiasts appreciating the simplicity of items like the rose vase bongs.
Alternatives Worth Considering
However, Percolator bongs do not represent the only means of achieving smooth, filtered smoke. The GRAV Monarch Gravity Bong represents a unique approach to the cooling and filtering of smoke by means of water. Gravity bongs provide thick, milky smoke without the hassle of cleaning that comes with Percolator bongs.
Basic beaker bongs with an ice catcher offer smoother hits based on temperature alone, without the added complication of a percolator. They’re easier to clean, yet offer good filtration.
The Bottom Line
The pros and cons of a percolator bong vary based on personal preferences. However, one thing is for sure: it definitely meets its promise of delivering smooth, cool, and filtered hits. Yes, it makes a difference, and it is definitely appreciated.
Of course, that level of experience comes with certain drawbacks. First and foremost, there's the maintenance factor, which is enough to dissuade many people. Additionally, there's the matter of cost.
If you're someone who values quality over convenience, or someone who's willing to put that little bit more into the experience, then the glass percolator bong can greatly enhance the experience. Believe me, the smoothness factor does exist, and once you're accustomed, you can't go back to the standard bong.
On the flip side of the coin, if simplicity, durability, and easy maintenance are important to you, you may be more content with a standard water pipe. There's nothing wrong with keeping it simple!
Whatever you choose, make sure you're getting it from reputable sources with good quality glass. A cheap percolator bong will break within no time and end up frustrating you with poor performance. Invest in a good quality bong, and you'll never go wrong with its performance.
Ultimately, what is the percolator bong? Well, it is simply something that sacrifices ease of use in order to provide better performance. Of course, it is really up to the individual to decide whether this is something that is worth it to them or not.
