Acrylic Bongs
If you’re new to the world of bongs and looking for your first water pipe, you may not know where to begin due to the sheer choice on offer. Even regular. . . Read More
If you’re new to the world of bongs and looking for your first water pipe, you may not know where to begin due to the sheer choice on offer. Even regular smokers can get a bit overwhelmed by the plethora of styles, shapes, and features.
One of the most important factors to consider in any bong purchase is the material used. While the majority will be made of glass, you’ll also see them made out of silicone, metal, wood, and acrylic.
Acrylic, also known as plexiglass, is a very strong and durable type of plastic, and most acrylic bongs come in bright colours and funky designs. They are also typically cheaper than their glass alternatives, so for these reasons acrylic has become one of the most popular materials used for bongs.
Here at Everyone Does It, we stock a wide range of cheap acrylic bongs, including the Vortex Gravity Bong, the AK47 Klean Kut, and the Notorious B.O.N.G.
What is an acrylic bong?
An acrylic bong is any type of bong that is made out of acrylic - a tough and long-lasting type of transparent plastic. This material has a very close resemblance to glass and can be shaped in similar ways, with the main differences being that’s it’s cheaper to produce, is more durable and almost indestructible, and it’s also up to two times lighter.
However, one of the main drawbacks that smokers complain about with acrylic bongs is the quality of the smoke produced. The inferior material means that your smoke won’t taste as clean as with a glass bong, with some people reporting a plasticky aftertaste. You’ll also have to take bigger tokes as acrylic creates more drag, which could end up being more harmful for your lungs.
How to use an acrylic bong
Using an acrylic bong is fairly straightforward, as you’d follow the same processes you would with any regular bong:
- First of all, you need to pour water into the water chamber. This will typically be done by pouring it through the mouthpiece and down the neck. To get the ideal level of water, make sure the downstem is submerged by up to 2 inches.
- You can then put your dry herbs into the bowl. Remember to finely grind your herbs before putting them in, and also not to pack them too tightly. You also don’t want to pack them too loosely as this could end up with them burning too quickly - it’s all about finding the right balance.
- You can then light your dry herbs, making sure to place your finger on the carb hole, watch the smoke fill the base of the bong, then release your finger from the hole and inhale the smoke via the mouthpiece.
Should you use an acrylic bong?
Deciding whether to use an acrylic bong over other types of water bong, such as glass bongs, ceramic bongs, or silicone bongs, will ultimately come down to personal choice. However, there are a few major advantages that acrylic bongs hold over their alternatives which you should be aware of. There are also, of course, some disadvantages.
Here are some of the main pros and cons of acrylic bongs, so you can decide if it’s the right type of bong for you:
Advantages of acrylics bongs
- They are usually much cheaper than glass and ceramic bongs, and are typically cheaper than silicone bongs too.
- They are much more durable than glass and ceramic bongs, with most being able to withstand multiple drops on the floor before beginning to crack.
- They are often much lighter than their glass or ceramic alternatives, which along with their added durability, makes them ideal for packing away in your bag and taking on trips.
- They are available in an extraordinary range of shapes, sizes, and colours. Some of the coolest, wackiest, and outright bizarre bongs on the market will be made of acrylic.
Disadvantages of acrylic bongs
- The quality and flavour of the smoke produced by acrylic bongs is not quite at the same level of that produced by glass bongs. This is partly due to the plastic nature of acrylic and the fact it doesn’t diffuse smoke as well as glass or ceramic does, but also down to the fact that some components of acrylic bongs are typically made of metal, such as the bowl and the downstem.
- They are more tricky to clean than glass or ceramic bongs, as you will need a specialized acrylic cleaner. This is because isopropyl alchohol, which can be used to clean most other bongs, will slowly damage the acrylic material and ultimately destroy it over time.
- Although they are more durable than glass or ceramic bongs, they are still susceptible to cracking if enough pressure is exerted on them. In this regard, you’d be better off with a silicone bong, as they are even harder to break.
- Acrylic and plastic bongs create more drag than glass and ceramic ones, which means you have to draw harder when you inhale. This means they will burn through your dry herbs more quickly, while it will also feel harsher on your lungs.
How to clean your acrylic bong
To make your acrylic bong even more durable, you need to make sure you clean it regularly. However, the process of doing so is slightly more complicated than with other types of bong. This is because you will need a special acrylic bong cleaner, because isopropyl alcohol, which is usually the go-to cleaning product for bong users, will damage acrylic.
- First of all, you need to remove the bowl and downstem from the body of the bong. These are typically made of metal, so are therefore easier to clean than the bong itself. To do so, you can simply put them in a bowl or container of hot water and salt, and then shake it around for a few minutes.
- You can then get to cleaning the acrylic part of the bong. You should first empty the bong water, as reusing the same water could mean that residue from the plastic seeps into it and discolours it.
- You should then get your dedicated acrylic bong cleaner - which you can find here at EDIT - and pour it down the neck of the bong. Give it a swirl, making sure it coats the entire body of the bong, and then rinse it off with hot water. If you don’t have any acrylic cleaner, you could add salt to hot water instead, but we’d only recommend doing this temporarily as prolonged use of salt water could damage your bong.
- You then need to scrape off any residue that’s left on the inside of the bong. You can do this with a bong brush, or even just a regular bottle brush that you can find in most supermarkets.
- Finally, leave your bong to dry before adding more bong water and reconnecting your bowl and downstem for your next session.
What is the best acrylic bong?
There are a vast number of acrylic bongs available here at our online shop, from simple, cheap bongs, to more pricier models with funkier designs. Ultimately, the best acrylic bong for you will come down to your personal preferences over the style, and of course, your budget.
That being said, some of the most popular acrylic bongs we have on sale here at EDIT include:
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