How to Fill Up a Bong with Percolator?

Filling a bong with a percolator might seem like a simple task, but getting the water levels just right can make all the difference in achieving a smooth, enjoyable hit. 

Percolators are designed to filter and cool smoke, but only if properly filled—too little water and the filtration won’t work, too much and you’ll end up with splashes and resistance. 

Whether you're a first-time user or looking to enhance your setup, learning how to fill your bong for optimal percolator performance will bring out the best in every session. 

What Is Percolator Bongs？

A percolator bong, commonly called a "perc" bong, is a specialized type of bong that includes one or more percolators designed to cool and filter the smoke, offering a smoother and more enjoyable smoking experience. 

Unlike standard bongs, percolator bongs use additional filtration chambers to deliver cleaner, cooler hits.

How Do Percolators Work In Bongs？

A percolator is typically dome-shaped but now comes in various unique designs.

It functions as an additional water chamber in the bong, usually located in the bong’s tube, providing an extra level of smoke filtration.

Here’s how a percolator bong enhances your smoking experience:

1. Smoke Travels Through the Downstem: 

When you take a hit, smoke travels from the bowl, through the downstem, and into the percolator chamber.

2. Smoke is Dispersed into Bubbles:

The percolator, which has multiple slits, holes, or channels, breaks the smoke into small bubbles. 

This increases the surface area for better interaction with water.

3. Impurities are Filtered Out:

As the smoke rises through the water, impurities, and ash are trapped in the water, resulting in cleaner smoke.

4. Cooling the Smoke:

The increased surface area from the smaller bubbles allows the water to cool the smoke more effectively. 

This results in cooler, smoother hits that are gentler on the throat and lungs.

5. Inhalation:

After being filtered and cooled by the percolator and water, the smoke travels up the bong’s neck and is ready for inhalation through the mouthpiece.

Benefits of Using a Percolator Bong

Percolator Bong has several unique benefits that make it a favorite among bongs.

Let’s explore the key benefits below!

Common Types of Percs

Numerous types of percolators are available, each featuring distinct designs with specific functional purposes. 

Here, we’ll examine five of the most prevalent types that consumers will likely encounter when selecting a premium smoking accessory.

1: Diffused Downstem Percolator

Diffused downstem percolators are often found in glass bongs. Their straightforward design includes a small glass tube extending from the downstem into the water chamber.

At the bottom of the pipe, small holes and slits create a multitude of bubbles, each of which helps filter and cool the smoke. Although the bubbles are tiny, they significantly enhance filtration, creating a smoother experience.

The diffused downstem percolator is also easy to remove and replace if needed. This feature is especially helpful for beginners or those who are accident-prone, as they can swap out the downstem without having to replace the entire bong.

2: Disc/Puck Percolator

Disc or puck percolators have a sleek, simple design, typically appearing as a small, bulb-like structure connected to the downstem through a glass tube. 

While many disc percs feature a single ring, some versions incorporate two or three rings stacked in parallel to increase diffusion.

Disc percolators are excellent at diffusing smoke, with small slits on the outside of the disc that produce a substantial amount of bubbles, which help to cool the smoke.

3: Honeycomb Percolator

A honeycomb percolator includes a flat, disc-shaped structure at the base of the water chamber. 

In some multi-perc bongs, honeycombs are stacked vertically to create multiple layers of filtration.

Each disc has numerous holes on both its top and bottom, channeling smoke upward from the bong’s base and providing thorough filtration.

Honeycomb percolators are popular for their efficiency in smoke filtration, especially those featuring multiple honeycombs. With four or more honeycomb discs, these bongs offer one of the smoothest smoking experiences available.

4: Donut Percolator

Donut percolators function similarly to Swiss percolators but have a single hole in the center. When smoke flows into the chamber, it filters up and around the hole, helping to cool and diffuse the vapor.

The unique shape of the donut perc serves two purposes: it acts as both a splash guard and an ice catcher. 

The design is also ergonomic, making it easy to hold for smokers who enjoy sharing.

5: Base-Connected Percolator

A base-connected percolator has a half-egg shape and is positioned directly at the bottom of the downstem. 

This simple design offers even bubble dispersion, cooling the smoke and enhancing the herbal flavors.

With its placement at the base, cleaning the base-connected perc is straightforward. A quick rinse with isopropyl alcohol or a bit of mild heat will keep it in pristine condition.

How do you fill up a bong with a percolator?

Filling a bong equipped with a percolator is a methodical process that, when done correctly, can greatly enhance your smoking experience.

Here's a more logically structured outline to guide you through the process:

1. Prepare Your Equipment and Herb

- Gather your bong with a percolator, grinder, herb, lighter or matches, and cleaning supplies.

- Grind your herb finely for even burning.

2. Setup and Clean the Bong

- Empty and clean the bong to ensure optimal performance.

- Fill it with water to the desired level for filtration and cooling.

3. Assemble the Bong

- Place the bowl on the percolator and pack it with ground herb, leaving a center hole for airflow.

- Insert the downstem into the mouthpiece and ensure it extends into the percolator.

4. Check the Assembly

- Verify that the downstem is properly seated and the bowl is securely in place.

5. Light and Inhale

- Ignite the herb and inhale the smoke through the mouthpiece.

6. Clean and Maintain

- After use, clean the bong and percolator.

- Replace the water and store the bong for next use.

This abbreviated guide maintains the logical flow of the process while being more succinct, making it easier to follow for both beginners and experienced users.

Conclusion

Percolator bongs enhance the smoking experience by delivering smoother hits, better flavor, and a visually appealing smoking process. 

By following the correct method to fill and use a percolator bong, you can elevate your enjoyment to new heights. 

Whether you’re after cooler hits or a mesmerizing smoking session, percolator bongs offer an exceptional upgrade to standard bongs.

Keep reading to find out more!  Smooth Smoke: How to Properly Clean Your Percolator Bong?