Gravity may be the force that tethers us all to the ground, but a gravity bong could send you blasting off to space. These devices have also become less complicated to use in recent years, now that high-end glass models are sold in dispensaries. Keep reading to learn what a gravity bong is, whether it might be right for you, and why dispensary models are such an improvement on DIY devices.
What is a gravity bong?
A gravity bong is a cannabis accessory that leads to larger hits through two scientific principles: negative pressure and water displacement. As water exits the gravity bong, it creates a vacuum that draws concentrated smoke in. When you inhale as water re-enters the gravity bong, it forces the smoke into your lungs, yielding bigger hits that may lead to more pronounced effects.
Although gravity bongs are often thought of as homemade, DIY contraptions, high-end versions that deliver exceptional cannabis experiences are increasingly available at licensed dispensaries. There are several types of gravity bongs, too, including:
- Bucket. The DIY version of the bucket gravity bong involves cutting the bottom off a large soda bottle, which is then placed in a basin filled with water. A socket is affixed to the cap, which can then be packed with flower.
- Waterfall. This type of gravity bong comprises one large soda bottle with a hole (or several holes) near the bottom. Similar to the bucket version, the waterfall is fitted with a cap affixed with a socket, which can be packed with flower.
- Glass. These high-end versions available at dispensaries make gravity bongs accessible to cannabis lovers who don’t want to make their own devices; they also deliver more consistent hits than DIY contraptions. At High Street Dispensary, we sell the Stündenglass 15-inch Gravity Infuser Water Pipe, arguably the most advanced smoking accessory on the market.
Gravity bong vs. regular bong
Since gravity bongs lead to more intense and concentrated smoke entering your lungs, a gravity bong will get you higher, generally. Regular bongs, by comparison, filter cannabis smoke through water, yielding smoother hits that are easier on the lungs.
Regular bongs tend to be easier to clean and use than bucket or waterfall gravity bongs. To use a regular bong, you just add water, pack ground flower into the bowl, and light up while inhaling and using the carb to control airflow. There are more steps than this with homemade gravity bongs, which are typically tougher to clean too since they’re made from porous, odor- and residue-absorbing plastic instead of highly durable glass or silicone.
Glass gravity bongs sold in dispensaries, on the other hand, are just as easy to use and clean as regular bongs. And like homemade gravity bongs, they typically lead to more intense hits. Some people even say that glass models remove the harshness associated with homemade gravity bong hits, and that the smoothness feels closer to vapor than smoke.
Here’s a quick summary:
| Difference | Glass gravity bong | Homemade gravity bong | Regular bong |
| Experience | More intense and concentrated, but likely not harsh | More intense and concentrated, but likely harsh | Smoother than homemade gravity bongs; harsher than glass gravity bongs |
| Cleaning | Easy | Difficult | Easy |
| Easy to use? | Yes | No | Yes |
Who are gravity bongs good for?
Gravity bongs are good for longtime cannabis smokers looking to take their experience to the next level. High tolerance consumers can expect a more intense experience when using a gravity bong, compared to consuming the same flower in a different type of device.
Glass gravity bongs are especially great if you’re a passionate cannabis consumer looking for a showpiece that impresses your smoking circle. There is a social element to gravity bongs, which provide a communal, almost ritualistic way to engage in consuming.
However, there is a substantial learning curve with these smoking devices — they’re definitely not for beginners. Only very experienced cannabis consumers should consider them. Low tolerance consumers should also avoid gravity bongs, as the intensity of experience may be overwhelming.
How to use a gravity bong
We recommend using a professionally designed glass gravity bong like the Stündenglass 15-inch Gravity Infuser Water Pipe, which is an easier to use, safer, more effective type of gravity bong that eliminates the hassle that comes with the DIY varieties. Here’s how it works:
- Assemble your gravity bong: Once you assemble your new bong, you’ll see that there’s a two-part vertical glass chamber in the middle, a pipe on one side, and a bowl for your ground flower on the other.
- Prepare your gravity bong: To use your Stündenglass gravity bong, fill the bottom part of the glass chamber with water, then add your ground flower to the bowl.
- Light your gravity bong: After that, light your ground flower and rotate the glass chamber 180 degrees. As the water flows downward, the top chamber will fill with smoke.
- Inhale: Inhale from the mouthpiece.
- Repeat as desired: As the water drains completely into the bottom chamber, rotate the chamber 180 degrees again to continue using your gravity bong.
How to clean a gravity bong
You should clean homemade gravity bongs using warm water and mild dish soap, or with coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol to dissolve and abrade tough buildup and resins. However since the plastic used in homemade contraptions isn’t rigid, cleaning a homemade gravity bong may quickly wear your device down. Homemade devices may also come with health risks due to the plastics used in the bottles, especially as they are repeatedly used and cleaned.
Glass gravity bongs take the challenge and risk out of cleaning your device. The elbow grease you put in when cleaning with coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol won’t degrade glass. Plus, glass takes well to commercial bong cleaners in a way that’s not true of homemade devices. It also holds up well when using isopropyl alcohol — doing this for the bowl and mouthpiece may loosen resin, making it easier to scrub off with a brush or pipe cleaner.
In any case, always thoroughly rinse your device with warm water after cleaning it. Doing so removes leftover cleaning agents, which shouldn’t be present in even trace amounts when smoking. And always swap out the water in your gravity bong after every session to keep everything clean.
Flower to try with your gravity bong
High-end glass gravity bongs yield rather intense hits, and top-quality flower is a must for such an immersive experience. Although all flower on our menu here at High Street has been tested for potency and quality, we recommend these brands in particular when using a gravity bong.
Garden Greens
Based in Vineland down in South Jersey, Garden Greens traces its roots back to the Dandrea family, leaders in New Jersey’s produce sector since 1917. The brand, which is the Garden State’s first independent indoor cultivator, never compromises on its commitment to quality. You can feel the difference when smoking its highly potent flower — available in hybrid and indica hybrid strains such as, respectively, Candy Fumes and Triple OG — in your gravity bong.
Explore Garden Greens’ story and products further via our Garden Greens review.
Hillview Farms
With over 75 years of Garden State history, Hillview Farms is the state’s first licensed cultivator to be entirely operated and owned by native New Jersey farmers. It leverages tried-and-true Dutch agricultural techniques on its growing facilities, and with its background in medical cannabis cultivation, it brings robust quality to its adult-use flower. It’s exactly this flower you can find at High Street in high-potency sativa and indica hybrid cultivars such as, respectively, Headband and Wedding Pie.
Learn more about Hillview Farms via our Hillview Farms review.
Bass River Buds
As its name suggests, Bass River Buds is based in Bass River, which is in South Jersey just north of Atlantic City. This cultivator grows its cannabis in living soil using entirely natural inputs. Its hybrid cultivars, which include Double Dipper and MAC V2, are on the higher side in terms of potency. Enjoying them with your gravity bong may well bring you to new frontiers in your cannabis experience.
Defy gravity at High Street
From premium craft flower to elegant Stündenglass gravity bongs, High Street Dispensary’s menu offers everything you need to reach new heights (or depths) of relaxation. We offer online order-ahead or drive-thru pickup, and same-day weed delivery within New Jersey, for your convenience. Or, shop in person to get help from our welcoming, knowledgeable budtenders in figuring out how to have the best cannabis experience. If gravity bong and flower aren’t the answer, something else on our menu certainly will be.
