How Often Should You Change Your Bong Water? Experts Weigh In

How often should you change your bong water? This is a question new water pipe users ask. And frankly, the fact that you're even asking this question is a good sign - some people don't ever change the water in their bong! This can get really nasty and make it seemingly impossible to enjoy the true flavor of your flower, as resin has coated the glass and changed the experience for the worse.

However, today we're going to explain how often to change bong water. You'll learn why we recommend changing your bong water as frequently as possible - and a whole lot more. Let's not waste any more time! First things first - do you really need to change the water in your bong?

What Is The Purpose Of Water In A Bong?

Before we explain how often to change bong water out, what is the purpose of water in the first place? This is one of the key differentiators between the pipe vs bong: filtration.  Bongs typically use water to cool and filter the smoke before it enters your lungs. Have you ever taken a huge hit from a bong and had zero coughing? That's because the water is doing its job!

Cooling the smoke is important, too. Ever take a huge hit off a dry pipe and felt like your throat was on fire? Yeah - no thank you. The water in your bong acts as a barrier between the hot smoke and your throat. This makes for smoother hits and less coughing (usually). Some people even add ice to their bong water for an extra cooling effect! So now that we know what the purpose of water is in a bong, let's talk about how often to change bong water - starting with whether it's really necessary in the first place.

Do You Really Need To Change Your Bong Water?

Alright, let's get one thing out of the way - do you really need to change your bong water out every so often? After all, it will still function with filthy old water...right? Can dirty bong water kill you? 

It's true - the bong works with dirty water or fresh water. But, the manner in which it works will vary greatly. Don't believe us? Just take a fat hit from a like-new clean bong. Then, follow it up by taking the same rip from a dirty, gunked-up bong with 3-month-old bong water. You'll see firsthand why people change the water in their bong ever so often.

With that said, yes - you really do need to change your bong water! Before we explain how often you should change bong water out, here are some specific reasons for the importance of doing so.

If your water looks like this^ it's time to change it. There really isn't a reason to keeping hitting your bong without crystal clear water. 

Why Considering How Often To Change Bong Water Is So Important

Why is considering how often to change bong water so important, you ask? A bong is one of the best ways to smoke weed - no doubt about it. However, what makes a bong so great - water filtration - can be the very same thing that ruins your smoking experience. Old, dirty water isn't going to cut it. If you're still unconvinced about the need to frequently change your bong water, maybe this section will do the trick. Here are some of the specific reasons you should make a point of frequently changing your bong water.

• Bacteria: Perhaps the most important reason of all, old bong water is just teeming with bacteria. This can lead to all sorts of respiratory infections and other issues that nobody wants to deal with.
• The Smell: Old bong water smells terrible. It's just a fact - if you don't change it out, it's going to stink up your entire smoking den. Nobody wants that!
• The Taste: Speaking of smell, old bong water also gives your hits a terrible taste. This is because all of that resin has built up and is now being burned along with your flower. If you want to enjoy the true flavor of your weed, you need to start with fresh water.
• The Look: Let's be honest - old bong water just looks rank. It's brown, murky, and gross. Nobody wants to smoke out of a bong that looks like that!

Ok, are you convinced now? Let's face it - changing your old bong water takes no more than 20 seconds. And when you factor in the effect it can have on the way you smoke? There is really no excuse not to change your bong water on a routine basis. You'll enjoy better taste and smell of your cannabis, and your bong won't look like the typical "lazy stoner" owns it. Plus, changing out the water frequently prevents bacteria from accumulating.

With that said, how often should you change your bong water? Let's address this commonly asked question once and for all down below.

So, How Often Should You Change Your Bong Water?

Now that we've talked about why it's important to change your bong water, let's answer the question on everyone's mind - how often should you change your bong water? Ask different stoners and you'll get different answers. Some do it daily, others do it weekly - others, monthly. And those who wait beyond that should really take a look at the previous section and consider changing their ways!

The simple answer is this - you should change your bong water as often as necessary.

We know...doesn't really give you the clear answer you came here hoping for. And there's a reason we're being a bit vague. It's because your situation will vary from the next reader. Here are a few factors affecting how often you should change bong water:

• How often do you use your bong?
• Are you pulling your bowls all the way through into the water?
• Do you use ice in your bong?
• What type of water pipe do you own?
• What tolerance do you have for a dirty bong?

These are all important factors to consider. We'll evaluate each one more in-depth below.

How often do you use your bong?

If you're using your bong regularly, you'll need to change the water out more frequently than someone who only uses it on special occasions. You won't be gunking up your water taking just one hit a day, so you may not need to change your water daily. However, if you smoke 3-4 (or more) bowls a day, the rate at which your water will get dirty will accelerate. At that point, you should seriously consider changing your water daily.

Are you pulling your bowls all the way through into the water?

Think back to why you change the water in your bong - it's to keep things fresh and clean. Well, an important factor affecting how dirty your water gets is the manner in which you use the bong. Do you ash your bowls into an ashtray once you don't see any green, or do you snap the bowl all the way through the downstem and into the water - leaving it clean, ready to be repacked?

In the first instance, you won't get as much ash and plant matter in your bong - and thus, you won't have to change your water as frequently. On the other hand, snapping bowls through clean will contribute to a much faster accumulation of plant matter in the bong. With more residue and gunk accumulating, you'll need to swap water more frequently.

Do you use ice in your bong?

We love adding ice to our bongs - especially when taking those fat, milky hits that would otherwise be a bit too hot for our chest to handle. But, putting ice in your bong will also accelerate the rate at which you need to change out your bong water.

What type of water pipe do you own?

The type of bong (or other water pipe) you own will also play a role in how often you should change your bong water. For example, if you have a straight tube with no percolators or other features, the water won't get as dirty as quickly as it would in something like a beaker bong with multiple percs.

This is because more plant matter and ash will be able to pass through into the main chamber of the bong without being filtered out by the water. If you have a bong with multiple percolators, on the other hand, the water will do a better job of filtering out these unwanted particulates - meaning you won't need to change your water as frequently. Simply put, the type of piece you own will play a role in how often you should change your bong water.

What tolerance do you have for a dirty bong?

This is probably the most important factor when deciding how often to change bong water. Some people are perfectly fine smoking from a bong with water that's not crystal clear. Others (like us) prefer to change our water more frequently because we don't like the taste of stale water - no matter how well it filters our hits!

So, if you're someone who doesn't mind a little bit of dirt in their bong, you can probably get away with changing your water less frequently. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, on the other hand, you'll want to change your bong water more often.

At the end of the day, it's up to you how often you should change your bong water. Just remember - the cleaner your bong water is, the fresher your hits will be!

All of these things play a role in how often you should be changing your bong water! At the end of the day, just use your best judgment. If the water is starting to look and smell dirty, it's probably time for a change. Don't wait too long, or you may be smoking more than just cannabis...and if you want our say on the matter? If you use your bong daily, change the water daily. Even the best water bong isn't fun to hit if it's all gunked up with old, nasty water!

Other Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Bong

Now that we've answered the question "how often should you change your bong water?," let's talk about some other tips for getting the most out of your bong smoking experience:

• Use distilled water instead of tap water - this sounds a bit snobby since you aren't technically drinking the water (unless you're a sicko...we all know someone who takes a gulp of bong water every now and then). But hear us out. This will help to reduce any unwanted impurities or minerals that could affect the taste of your bong hits.
• Clean your bong regularly - in addition to changing your bong water frequently, you should also be sure to clean your bong on a regular basis. There is actually a direct correlation between how often you change your bong water and how often your bong needs a cleaning. This is a topic we go in-depth into in our complete guide on how to clean a water pipe.
• Use hemp wick rather than lighters - Learning how to use a water pipe is easy - you just light it, inhale, pull the bowl, and let the plant work its magic. But to experience the full flavor and aroma your bud has to offer, avoid the lighter in favor of a more natural hemp wick. Not only will this create a better, more natural taste and smell - it's safer, too! Hemp wick is one of the best modern smoking accessories out there - no doubt about it.

Final Thoughts On How Often To Change Bong Water Out

So, how often should you change bong water? It will vary from person to person. But, we've provided you with the key details on when you should change out your bong water. In closing, the answer to the question of how often to change bong water out is not one size fits all. But, we recommend you do it at least 1-2 times a week, if not daily. It takes 10 seconds and makes a world of difference both in your smoking experience and how often you need to do a robust cleaning.

We hope this article helped you gain clarity on how often you should change bong water. If you're looking to treat yourself to something new and exciting - particularly for on-the-go smoke sessions - check out the Capsule Water Pipe we offer. This portable water bong for sale will transform the way you smoke - minimalist in design, functional in performance. It's as good as it gets - treat yourself to a new piece today!