Choosing good materials will make your bong construction easier and your toking experience more pleasurable. Follow the guide-lines below for advice on bong materials, construction and operation.

Choosing your materials

You will need:

  1. A plastic container
  2. Hosepipe
  3. Tin-foil
  4. Bluetack (or silicone if you can get hold of it).
  5. Herb mix
  6. Grinder
  7. Scissors
  8. Water supply

If you have a nearby headshop (or check online) you can buy things like ready-made stem and cones (downpipes) or separate drop-in cones, then you can do away with the hosepipe and tin foil.

  1. The plastic container is the main chamber for your bong. It can be anything
    that stands upright without falling over and has a small enough hole at the
    top for a mouthpiece. If you’re in doubt about what plastic to use,
    the general rule is that if you can use it to pack food, it’s safe to
    use for a bong.
  2. Your bong’s stem can be made from cut down hosepipe.
  3. A make-shift bowl for your bong can be made from layers of tin foil with
    pin-holes punched through. Or you might find a suitable part from an old pipe.
    Consider the size of your bong bowl and how much mix you want it to hold.
  4. Your bong must be airtight to avoid wastage and ensure a smooth toke. Silicone
    is the best option, but if you don’t have a nearby supplier, go for
    something like Bluetack.
  5. Your herb mix is whatever you fancy. Some people mix tobacco with herb when
    smoking bongs, but you don’t have to do this. As long as you’ve
    got plenty of your favourite herb – that’s the main concern.
  6. Grind your mix before you smoke it – this makes for an easier toke (and
    you can pack it down and get more in when it’s finer).
  7. To make holes in your container you’ll need scissors or other sharp instruments.
  8. All bongs need water so make sure you’re near a clean water supply.

Constructing Your Bong

  1. First, make a hole in the side of your plastic container. Make sure it is
    high enough up to allow at least half of your stem into the container.
  2. Cut a hole in the opposite side of the container. This will be the rush-hole
    (or “zoom-hole”) for your bong. It should be positioned so that
    you can easily reach it with your thumb when you toke, but not too low –
    you also need enough space for your bong water.

  3. Insert your stem through the first hole. Try to keep it as upright as possible.
    Whilst smoking from your bong you want the bowl to face upwards to ensure
    no mix falls out.
  4. Seal the join around the stem and the plastic container to make your bong
    airtight.
  5. Cut a square of tin-foil and fold it into a triangle (it should be 4 layers
    thick). Then twist the foil around your finger to make a cone/ bowl shape
    and cut away any excess. Pierce the base of it a few times with a pin.

  6. Fill around 2 inches of your bong with water. Make sure it is about 1 inch
    below the rush-hole, otherwise water might spill when you toke.
  7. Fill your bowl with your herb mix. Insert it into your stem. You’re
    ready for a hit.

Operating Your Bong

  1. Place your mouth over the bong’s mouthpiece (the top of the plastic
    container).

  2. Place your thumb or a finger over the rush-hole.
  3. Half way through your inhalation, release your finger from the rush-hole.
    This has the effect of shooting the rest of the smoke out of the bong and
    straight into your lungs.