Percolator Bongs

Percolator Bongs: The Ultimate Guide

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about percolator bongs, including:

What Is a Percolator Bong?

A percolator bong, also known as a perk bong or perky bong, is a specialized water pipe designed for smoking dry herbs and concentrates. The key component that distinguishes percolator bongs is the percolator – an added diffusion mechanism that filters smoke through water to deliver cooler, smoother hits.

Percolator bongs feature a percolator – a diffusion structure that filters smoke through water.

Unlike a standard beaker bong, percolator bongs contain slits, channels, or holes arranged in specific patterns through which smoke bubbles travel through water. This cools down and filters the smoke, removing harsh particles and impurities for a gentler smoking experience. The water also adds moisture and humidity.

Percolator bongs come in many styles featuring different percolator configurations like honeycomb, tree, inline disc, or coil percs. These force smoke through intricate pathways, maximizing diffusion and cooling. The more percolation, the smoother the hit.

Well-crafted percolator bongs made from quality materials like borosilicate glass are durable, easy to clean, and deliver optimal smoke filtering and diffusion for flavorful, smooth hits every time. Let’s look closer at how these water pipes achieve such effective smoke conditioning.

How Do Percolator Bongs Work?

The key to a percolator bong is the percolator itself. Here is an overview of how percolator bongs function:

• Smoke is produced by igniting dry herbs in the bowl which sits in the intake chamber of the bong. This smoke travels down through the neck into the main chamber.
• At the bottom of the chamber is the percolator made up of slits, holes, discs, coils, or other designs arranged strategically to filter smoke.
• As smoke passes through the percolator, it is broken up into tiny bubbles that travel through water before being sucked up the mouthpiece.
• Traveling through all these holes and water provides diffusion and cooling. The smoke loses harsh components, resulting in a smoother, less harsh hit.
• More percolation equals more smoke diffusion and cooling. Bongs may contain multiple percolators to maximize effects.
• The chilled, filtered smoke is easily inhaled through the mouthpiece into the lungs.
• User exhales clean, smooth smoke with pleasant flavor and aroma profiles from the dry herbs.

In essence, the percolator allows for optimal conditioning and filtering of smoke for the smoothest, coolest hits possible when smoking dry flower or concentrates from a water pipe.

Types of Percolators

There are many types of percolators available, each creating a unique smoke path and user experience:

Tree Percolator

Tree percolators have upwards slits mimicking tree branches for thorough smoke diffusion.

Tree percolators have slits arranged in a branch-like pattern, often extending upwards at diagonal angles. This forces smoke into numerous tiny bubbles diffusing through the water. Tree percs offer excellent overall percolation.

Inline Percolator

Inline percolators have horizontal slits to split smoke into horizontal streams.

Inline percolators feature long horizontal slits that split smoke into multiple horizontal streams through water. This achieves horizontal diffusion for smooth draws.

Disc Percolator

Disc percs have stacked discs with small holes that filter smoke.

Disc percolators are made from stacked discs or puck-like objects pierced with multiple tiny holes. Smoke gets pulled through the holes in each disc for 360-degree diffusion.

Honeycomb Percolator

Honeycomb percs have chambers resembling honeycombs that filter smoke.

Honeycomb percolators feature hollow chambers stacked vertically. These are shaped like honeycombs with small holes covering the chambers. Smoke gets filtered through each layer.

Coil Percolator

Coil percolators use coiled tubes filled with holes to bubble smoke.

Coil percolators use curved coils or tubes filled with holes. Smoke gets forced through the coils, creating bubbles and diffusion effects.

Showerhead Percolator

Showerhead percs have a showerhead-like disc that rains smoke through holes.

Showerhead percolators feature a showerhead-like disc at the end of the downstem filled with holes. Smoke pours through these holes like a showerhead waterspout.

Benefits of Percolator Bongs

Why choose a percolator bong over a regular beaker or straight bong? Here are the main benefits percolator water pipes offer:

• Smoother Hits: More percolation equals smoother draws and less coughing by filtering particles.
• Improved Flavor: Diffusion removes impurities to enhance taste and aroma.
• Cooling Effects: Bubbling smoke through water cools it down for less harshness.
• Customization: Various percolators offer different experiences to suit preferences.
• High Filtration: Multi-chamber options with several percolators filter smoke thoroughly.
• Artistic Appeal: Intricate scientific glass percolator designs are visually stunning.

For the smoothest rips with enhanced flavor, percolator bongs are perfect. The scientific glass artistry of elaborate perc designs also makes these water pipes visually impressive.

How to Use a Percolator Bong

Using a percolator bong properly ensures you get the full benefits. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Add Water

• Add fresh, cool water until it covers the percolator(s) by 1 to 2 inches. This allows optimal smoke diffusion.

Step 2: Pack the Bowl

• Grind or break up dry herbs finely to increase surface area.
• Loosely pack the ground material into the bowl piece at the bong’s intake. Packing too tightly restricts airflow.

Step 3: Attach the Bowl

• If the bowl is removable, securely attach it to the bong’s downstem while the bong is upright.

Step 4: Light the Bowl

• Hold a flame to the edge of the bowl and inhale slowly through the mouthpiece to pull flame into the herbs. This ignites them.

Step 5: Inhale

• As you light the bowl, inhale very slowly and steadily. This pulls smoke smoothly through the percolator into the chamber up to your mouth.

Step 6: Clear the Chamber

• Once the chamber fills with white smoke, stop lighting, remove the bowl, and deeply inhale the smoke into your lungs.

Step 7: Exhale

• Remove your mouth and exhale the smoke out steadily. Congratulations, you just took a perfect percolator bong rip!

Repeat the process as desired while refilling the bong with fresh water occasionally. Take slow, steady inhales for optimal percolation effects.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Like any water pipe, percolator bongs need regular cleaning. Follow these maintenance tips:

• Rinse after each use: Flush water out and rinse with clean water to remove debris.
• Change water regularly: Stale water impacts filtration and flavor. Refresh the bong with new water each session.
• Clean with isopropyl alcohol: Disassemble parts. Soak and rinse with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol to dissolve residue.
• Use cleaners and formulas: Try commercial glass bong cleaners for tough buildup in percs.
• Avoid abrasives: Never use abrasive scrubbers or cleaners that can scratch glass.
• Wipe exterior: Wipe outer surface with a soft cloth after cleaning to polish.

Proper maintenance preserves the life of your percolator bong while ensuring clean functionality and filtration.

Where to Buy Quality Percolator Bongs

When investing in a percolator bong, buy directly from a reputable glass blower or smoke shop. Features to look for include:

• Borosilicate glass (like Pyrex) for durability and heat resistance.
• Quality craftsmanship like blown glass and tight seals.
• Intricate percolator design for optimal smoke diffusion.
• Size and shape that fits your needs and preferences.
• Color and artistic appeal if desired for decorative bongs.
• Brand reputation for consistency and reliability.

Shop top glass blowers and bong companies like Illadelph, Roor, Thick Ass Glass (TAG), Kathy Ireland, Empire Glassworks, and others for the highest quality percolator bongs. Local smoke shops also carry a wide selection of glass water pipes to inspect in person.

Top Percolator Bongs Reviews

Here are reviews for some of the best percolator bongs across various price points and styles:

Roor Tech Beaker Icemaster Perc Bong – 9mm

This impressive Roor beaker bong has an ice catch and triple donut inline percolator for ultra smooth hits. High-end German glass with intricate trademarks.

The Roor Tech Icemaster sets a new standard for smoothness from its expert inline percolator combining three donut discs and an ice catcher. Signature Roor quality German glass ensures durability. The flared mouthpiece and scientific glass style deliver incredibly refined hits. It’s on the pricey side but worth it for unmatched luxury.

TAG Multi-Chamber Torus Inline Perc Bong

This TAG inline percolator bong stacks three percolators for step-wise smoke conditioning. Quality thick glass.

TAG is renowned for thick, sturdy glass bongs at reasonable prices. This model has three separate percolators each with horizontal inline discs that split smoke into streams. The multi-chamber design provides progressive ultra-smooth filtration. Affordable compared toscientific percs with incredible diffusion.

Kulture Holy Showerhead Mini Bong

This compact showerhead percolator bong from Kulture adds sleek style to any tabletop. The thick glass means durability.

Sometimes less is more. This elegant miniature bong still gets the functionality right with its showerhead downstem for bubble-stacking percolation. The thick glass and compact shape makes it nearly indestructible while fitting any space. Hits from the Kulture Holy Showerhead punch above its size with smoothness and flavor.

Grav Labs Upline Hammer Bubbler

Grav Labs combines scientific glass artistry with quality engineering like the upline percolator on this uniquely shaped bubbler.

Grav Labs makes some of the most innovative perc bongs that are also gorgeous creative showpieces. Case in point – the Upline Hammer’s beautiful twisted neck and oblong body embed the upflow percolator. Form meets function flawlessly in this small hammer bubbler that hits far beyond its size. True affordable glass art.

TAG Glass Beaker Ice Catcher Bong w/ Spinning Splashguard

TAG’s Splashguard percolator bong adds spiral styling. The flared mouthpiece prevents splashing and spillage.

Few bongs prevent messes as effectively as this TAG glass beaker model. The flared mouthpiece and spinning splashguard keep water inside even during rapid bubbling from the showerhead downstem perc. A built-in ice catcher and the vortex effect result in ulta-smooth cool rips. Perfect for sharing and beginners.

FAQs about Percolator Bongs

Are percolator bongs better?

Yes, percolator bongs are better than regular bongs due to increased smoke diffusion and filtration from the percs. This removes more tar and particles for smoother hits.

What is the best percolator?

There is no single “best” perc, but showerhead, honeycomb, multi-chamber inline, and tree percolators are among the most effective for thorough smoke conditioning.

Do percolators make a difference?

Absolutely. Percolators make a huge difference by cooling and filtering smoke for less irritation compared to smoking from a straight pipe or dry bong.

Do percolators get you higher?

Not necessarily higher. But the increased smoothness allows larger, fuller hits without discomfort so more THC can be consumed at once.

Do percolators waste weed?

No, percolators do not waste weed. The only byproduct is clean, smooth smoke – the active compounds remain intact. Less is “lost” compared to coughing fits from harsh hits.

Are percolator bongs harder to clean?

Perc bongs are trickier to clean due to their intricate parts. But proper maintenance using alcohol prevents buildup on the percolators.

Can you smoke weed without a percolator?

Yes, you can smoke weed without a percolator through any pipe or one-chamber bong. But the hits will be hot, harsh, and unfiltered compared to using a bong with percolation.

Are percolator bongs fragile?

Quality glass perc bongs are quite sturdy, but the percolator itself is delicate. Avoid dropping or jostling percolator bongs to prevent damage. Handle gently when cleaning.

What are splash guards on bongs?

Splash guards are flared circular rings around the bong mouthpiece. These prevent water from bubbling up and spilling out when pulling hard. Useful feature for messy percolator bongs.

Should percolator bongs be clogged with smoke?

No. Clogged smoke prevents optimal pull-through filtration. Take slow, steady hits to gradually fill the chamber without congestion for smooth clear pulls.

In summary, percolator bongs utilize advanced smoke filtering systems for the cleanest, coolest rips possible when smoking dry herbs with water filtration. If you want silky smooth hits, flavorful taste, and premium filtration, invest in a quality percolator bong!