The Importance of Changing your Bong Water 💦
We smoke heavy here at Prism.
Blunts, pipes, vapes—you name it, we love it. However, nothing hits quite like a fresh clean bong rip. On the flip side, nothing ruins the vibe faster than a nasty, stale hit from a bong that hasn’t seen fresh water in days (or weeks… you know who you are).
Changing your bong water isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a necessity. If you’re not doing it regularly, you’re inviting a world of grossness and health risks into your lungs.
When you're ripping a bong, you’re harnessing every one of the 4 elements.
🌎Earth (the cannabis), 🔥Fire (the lighter), 💨Air (the smoke), and most obviously, 💦WATER (the water, duh)!
But beware and be warned, fellow wizard—this stoner alchemy demands responsibility. And by responsibility, we just mean keeping your water clean.
The Nasty Critters in Your Bong
Let’s talk about the unwelcome party guests that could currently be setting up camp in your bong. Because dirty bong water isn’t just gross—it’s a health hazard. Within hours, standing water can begin to grow bacteria and other nastiness. By the time you’ve left your bong untouched for a day or two, it’s no longer just water—it’s a petri dish of microorganisms. And guess what? You’re inhaling that. So what's growing in that bong water of yours?
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E. Coli: Yes, the same bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It thrives in stagnant water.
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Mold and Mildew: These fungi love damp, dark environments (aka your bong) and can cause respiratory issues when inhaled.
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Yeast and Biofilms: Slimy, sticky layers of bacteria that cling to the walls of your bong and percolators. No, you cannot make a great sourdough with it. Imagine a kombucha being brewed at the bottom of your beaker, yuck!
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Hepatitis A: In extreme cases, contaminated water can harbor viruses like Hepatitis A, which can survive outside the body for weeks.
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Fungus: Not the cool, psychedelic kind—think aspergillus, a mold that can grow on cannabis and, when burned, releases mycotoxins that cause lung infections.
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Cannabis: Just Kidding! But wouldn't that be nice?
These aren’t just hypothetical risks.
If you’re using the same water for days (or longer), you’re basically turning your bong into a microbial soup. And every hit you take is a direct invitation for those critters to invade your lungs.
The Serious Side Effects of Dirty Bong Water
You’re only given one set of lungs (unless you’re a river turtle or a worm, in which case, how are you reading this?!), so it's important to keep them safe. Outside of just the gross factor, inhaling dirty bong water can lead to long term effects on your ability to breathe and more importantly, your ability to smoke! Here’s just a few of the issues you’ll be solving by practicing proper water maintenance.
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Respiratory Issues: Inhaling mold, bacteria, and fungi can lead to bronchitis, lung infections, and other respiratory problems.
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Nasty Taste and Smell: Old bong water doesn’t just look gross—it smells and tastes awful, ruining the flavor of your cannabis.
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Increased Resin Buildup: Dirty water doesn’t filter as effectively, leading to more resin buildup in your bong and harsher hits.
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Long-Term Health Risks: Repeated exposure to mold and bacteria can weaken your immune system and lead to chronic health issues.
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Reduced Lung Capacity: Respiratory illnesses can take a toll over time on your lungs, leading to reduced lung capacity. You’ve put your heart into designing your own perfect 2 footer set up, why risk not being able to use it?
How Does It Get So Bad So Fast?
Your bong water isn’t just water—it’s a witches brew of ash, plant material, and sometimes even saliva (if you’re sharing with friends). This organic matter is like an all you can eat Chinese buffet for bacteria and mold. Add in a warm, humid environment (like your living room or that shady corner where your bong lives), and you’ve got the perfect conditions for microbial growth.
So, if you’re not changing your water regularly, you’re not just dealing with stagnant water—you’re dealing with a toxic soup.
When in Doubt, Pour it Out!
We get it—changing bong water isn’t exactly the most exciting part of smoking. Maybe your sink is full of dishes, or your bong has too many percolators to easily empty. Maybe you just. . .forget. But here’s the thing: the longer you make the bong wait, the worse it gets.
Pro Tip: If you’re ever unsure whether your water needs changing, just follow the age old rule:
"When in doubt, pour it out".
Our waterpipes don't have a "check water light" like your car does, so you'll have to remember to change your water on your own. (hang tight, we're working on it!)
Thankfully, you should now have some better tools to tell when its time to hit the sink. It’s better to waste a little water than to risk your health (or your taste buds).
How to Dump Your Bong Water the Right Way
Water, water, everywhere, but mostly down the sink! When its time to pour out your old bong water, there's not too many "wrong ways" to do it (unless you're planning on drinking it...). If you're looking for some tips, we've got you covered.
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The Sink: The easiest and most effective option. Run hot water while you pour to prevent resin from clogging your drain.
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The Toilet: For those concerned about gunking up their house-pipes (the other kind of water pipe), the toilet is a favorite place to get rid of your old bong water. After all, you put much grosser things in there every day…
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Outdoors: If you’re camping or away from a sink, pour it outside—but avoid doing it in the same spot repeatedly.
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Not for Plants: Despite what you might think, your houseplants won’t appreciate your used bong water. The ash and bacteria can harm them, so stick to the sink.
Prism to the Rescue!
Changing bong water can be a hassle—especially if you own a complex setup. That’s exactly why we designed our modular bongs. Nobody should have to sacrifice function for convenience.
In order to make your life easy, all of our waterpipes are designed with:
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Removable Parts: Remove the mouthpiece or percolators to easily access and re-fill your bong without awkward maneuvering. If you’ve ever tried to dump your old water into a particularly shallow sink, you know this struggle too well.
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Easy Fill and Empty Components: Our bases are designed for hassle-free water changes, whether you’re using a honeycomb, straight tube, or beaker. Whether MINI or Classic, we've got wide-mouthed base openings, so you don't have to use a funnel or worry about splashing.
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Fridge Friendly Sizing: Want that crisp, clean hit? With our removable pieces, you can place a clean base filled with water inside your fridge, and keep it frosty until you’re ready to rip! Plus, it will keep your snacks company while they wait for you.
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Room for Snow and Ice: Want a rip as cold as your ex's heart? Twist open your Prism and you’ll be able to pack crispy filtered shaved ice into every crevice of your set-up. Make sure your ice is made from filtered water to avoid any bacterial hitch hikers!
Changing your bong water isn’t just about keeping things clean—it’s about protecting your health and ensuring the best possible smoking experience. Dirty water isn’t just gross; it’s dangerous.
So remember; change your water regularly, clean your bong often. Then, you'll truly be able to enjoy those fresh, flavorful and smooth rips.
After all, your body deserves the best—and so do you.
CHECK OUT OUR 3D CUSTOM BONG BUILDER!
