Call it a waterpipe, or call it a bong, but the tried-and-true method of smoking with this unique setup has grown to be one of the most popular.

When you first step into the world of waterpipes, it’s easy to feel a little intimidated if you’ve only ever rolled your own. But learning how to use a bong is simply a matter of knowing a few important steps.

The first question most people have about getting the pipe set up is, how much water do you put in your bong? We’ve pulled together a quick overview for you below to get you off to the right start, with the perfect water level.

First, How to Use a Waterpipe Step by Step

1. Fill the pipe with the necessary amount of water by pouring it into the mouthpiece
2. Add the prepared herb or tobacco to the bong’s bowl
3. Light the material with hemp wick or a lighter while inhaling through the mouthpiece

Why Do You Need Water in a Bong?

Water is essential in a water pipe. When you inhale through the mouthpiece, the smoke funnels through the downstem and through the water. This filters byproducts that happen due to the burning plant material and instantly lowers the smoke’s temperature. This means you get a cleaner hit that is cool in your mouth and throat but can also better detect the flavors in what you are smoking.

How Much Water Do You Put in Your Waterpipe?

The general rule is to add just enough water to cover the bottom of the downstem where aeration slits are positioned. However, there can be a few extra considerations.

What is the size of your bong?

The exact amount of water you need will depend on the size of the bong’s basin. Naturally, a smaller bong like the Gav Lab Spherical Pocket Bubbler will not take as much water, but a larger bong like the Milky Way Glass Dragon’s Lair will require more. The goal should always be to make sure the bottom of or the slits in the downstem are all the way underwater. For most glass pipes, this will take somewhere around a half-inch to an inch of water.

What about a water pipe with percolators?

If you have a bong with a percolator, this may affect how much water you need in your water pipe. How much water can vary depending on the percolator type. For example, a flat percolator should be completely submerged, while percolators with slits only need to be submerged enough that the slits are fully covered.

Are you using ice?

Adding ice to the water causes the smoke to cool even quicker when it hits the water, which can mean an even smoother, more flavorful smoke. However, your water level should still be roughly the same even with the ice in place. So, if you drop in a few ice cubes and the water level is too high, you can pour out the extra.

Find Your Favorite Waterpipe at Seven Sense International

Whether you’re a newcomer to glass pipes or an avid collector, we’ve got something for everyone at Seven Sense International. Be sure to take a look at our full collection of glass waterpipes to find your next favorite smoking piece.