SILICONE BONGS
Silicone bongs are rising in popularity because of their portability, ease and peace of mind.
Pros and cons of silicone bongs
Benefits
- Highly portable
- Extremely durable
- Easy to clean
Drawbacks
- Material may affect flavor
- Lack of versatility in shapes
- Minimal percs
- No recyclers
Silicone vs glass bong
A case for glass
The main reason why cannabis enthusiasts prefer glass is because of the clean, natural flavor it delivers. Since glass doesn’t impart any taste, it brings out the full flavor of your favorite strains.
What’s more, the versatility and beauty of glass is just as impactful to the experience. Glass bongs are frequently blown into a wide variety of shapes and can accommodate multiple percs. Most silicone bongs do not have percolators beyond a diffused downstem.
Also, glass bongs can be made into particularly unique and intricate shapes such as recyclers with many looping arms. Their shape can even become an intrinsic part of their design. For instance, mushroom bongs with blown mushroom caps throughout.
A case for silicone
While the case for glass is strong, silicone is preferred for cannabis enthusiasts on the move.
Made from durable food-grade silicone, silicone bongs outcompete glass when it comes to the strength and portability.
Besides, what silicone lacks in versatility and shape, it makes up for in cool prints and patterns.
FAQ
Silicone bongs made from food-grade silicone are perfectly safe. After all, food-grade silicone is the same material used to cast cookware and baking molds. It was deemed safe for use by the FDA in 1979 as it does not release any toxic fumes under extreme heat. In fact, it can withstand temperatures from -103°F to 450°F. Imitation silicone, on the other hand, is a low quality silicone not approved for food applications. It may look very similar if not exactly like high quality silicone but give off a distinct plastic smell.
Compared to glass, silicone bongs don’t require harsh chemicals to clean them. In fact, it’s best to avoid the standard isopropyl alcohol and epsom salt method because silicone absorbs alcohol which causes swelling and chemical damage.
Since silicone bongs are generally dishwasher safe they are very easy to clean. Simply take the pieces of the water bong apart and stack into the dishwasher. If it comes with any glass pieces such as a bong bowl or percolator, it’s best to wash those by hand with soap and warm water.
While this is by far the easiest method for how to clean silicone bong, in some cases we’d advise against it. For instance, if your water pipe has a print on it it could cause the pattern to fade. Below is an alternative method for cleaning bongs with longevity in mind.
Simply fill your silicone bong with warm water and soap, covering up any openings and shake it vigorously to dislodge any debris. Rinse clean with warm water. If any residue remains, consider using pipe cleaners to scrape it off gently. Let the bong air dry by a window or outside in a shaded area and you’re ready to rip!
If your bong needs a deep cleaning, a mix of baking soda and vinegar is your next best option. First, fill the bong with warm water, shake vigorously and dump it out. Follow with a mixture of several spoonfuls of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. If your silicone water bong is large, you may need to add in a bit more than this.
You’ll notice that the mixture starts to fizz up. Close off any openings and shake again, preferably over a bathtub or sink since some of the fizz may overflow. Then, let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
On average a silicone bong will run you between $20-50, depending on the size, percs and design.