Best Bong Water Alternatives

Your Bong Water Doesn't Need To Be Dull

Many folks take a standard bong, fill it with tap water, hit it and never give it another thought. While water does its job, if you're curious about making that hit taste slightly better, feel cooler, or just be more interesting – then yes, you can. One of the least expensive ways to experiment with your bong set-up is by substituting water with another liquid.

However, keep in mind that not all ideas that come from the Internet are good ones. There are some things that can truly enhance the experience. There are others that may leave you cleaning sticky residue out of your downstem at 1 AM thinking "What happened?" So let's separate the wheat from the chaff.

What Really Works

Hot Water

Hot water (Not boiling — we're not brewing bong tea) creates more moisture in the vapor path and thus makes the hit feel less dry and scratchy on the throat. The steam added to the hit increases the humidity that smoothes everything out. It may not cool the smoke as cold water would, however if you primarily complain about having irritated throats, try hot water first before you go out and buy something.

On the other hand: hits will feel thicker/heavier. Many enjoy this; many do not. Try it with your bong filled with water that is approximately as warm as a comfortable shower and see what you think.

Ice Water (with actual ice)

If you have a bong with an ice catcher, you likely already know this one. However, even if you do not have an ice catcher, dropping a few ice cubes right into the water chamber will lower the temperature of the water significantly and cool the smoke far more than simply using tap water. The hit is noticeably smoother and easier on the lungs.

Do not overdo it. Too much ice will limit air flow through the downstem. As the ice melts, the water level will increase. If you are not paying attention, you will have bong water coming to your lips. Check the water level after several hits.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is the most common bong water substitute found online, and for good reasons. The acidity of cranberry juice inhibits resin build-up on the glass of your bong, therefore reducing the amount of scrubbing you will need to perform on your bong later. Additionally, cranberry juice gives a mild fruit flavor to each hit — not overpowering — just a light sweetness in the background.

Only use 100 percent cranberry juice (unsweetened, tart variety). Do not use cranberry cocktail (or any other sweetener-based drink). Any sweetener in your bong will lead to sticky build-ups and mold growth. Real cranberry juice contains sufficient acidity to actually assist in keeping things clean between sessions.

Citrus Water (lemon or lime)

Add the juice of ½ a lemon or lime to your bong water. Similar concept to cranberry juice — the citric acid will inhibit the resin from adhering to the glass of your bong. The flavor is barely detectable — more of a fresh, clean taste rather than a strong lemon/lime flavor. This is probably the easiest method of producing a noticeable enhancement to the hit — you likely already have a lemon in your refrigerator.

Sparkling Water

Adding carbonated water to your bong water will create a slight fizz during percolation, and some users claim the additional bubbles make the hit feel smoother. Honestly, the difference is very small. It is mostly a texture issue — the carbonation changes how the smoke feels in your mouth and throat. Not a game-changer, but a fun trial if you happen to have a can of sparkling water nearby.

Do not use flavored sparkling water with sweeteners — same sugar issue as the cranberry cocktail.

Mint or Herbal Tea (cooled)

Brew some peppermint or chamomile tea, allow it to cool to room temperature, and pour it in. The peppermint particularly provides a cooling sensation to the hit that goes nicely with the water filtration. Surprisingly pleasant and makes the entire area smell a bit cleaner as well.

The key term here is cooled. Do not pour hot tea into your bong unless you wish to endure thermal shock on the glass. And please do not combine hot tea with ice — the rapid change in temperature will shatter your glass, and that is a funeral for your bong no one wishes to attend.

What to Avoid

Alcohol

NO! Not even a little bit! Alcohol absorbs THC, which means you will literally filter out the thing you are attempting to breathe in. You will receive less potent hits, and you will be inhaling vaporized alcohol, which is hazardous to your lungs. This is joked about as a "hack" on forums. Please do not be the guy/gal who attempts it.

Milk

Another one circulating on social media quite a bit. Milk produces thicker appearing smoke, which looks cool in videos. In reality, you will be leaving a layer of warmed milk on the inside of your bong, and within a few hours that will become the worst odor you have ever smelled. Cleaning milk out of a percolator is a nightmare you will not get over emotionally.

Soda/energy drinks

All sugar. It will clog your downstem, coat the interior of your piece with a sticky substance, and attract mold. The carbonation dissipates quickly after entering the chamber, so you will not even experience the bubble effect. Use sparkling water if you want bubbles.

Essential Oils

Using essential oil in bong water seems like an aromatherapy session. In reality, you are breathing in vaporized oil, which your lungs were never meant to handle. Essential oils can produce lipid pneumonia and/or other lung problems. Bad choice!

Basic Principles When Swapping Out Water For Something Else

When you add a different liquid to your bong, consider the following. Always change it after every session — this is true for regular water as well, however it is especially true when using an alternative since sugars and other organic compounds break down rapidly. Clean your bong more frequently when using anything other than water — the residue from juices and teas accumulate faster than that from plain water. For the full breakdown on keeping your piece fresh, check out our bong cleaning guide.

Never use anything with sugar, dairy, or oil. If it is sticky on your hands, it will be sticky inside your glass. And if you are using a nice piece — heavy glass, quality perc — plain water with a squeeze of lemon is probably the safest option. Reserve the experiments for your daily driver and not the showpiece.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my bong water?

Always. After every session. Regardless of what is in it. Bacteria will begin to develop in stagnant bong water within hours, and the addition of juice or tea to the water will speed up that process. If your bong water stinks, you waited too long.

Does adding ice to a bong really make a difference?

Yes. Adding ice to your bong lowers the temperature of the smoke significantly prior to reaching your lungs, creating a noticeably smoother hit. If you have an ice catcher in your bong, use it. Even if you do not have an ice catcher, adding ice cubes to the water chamber will still chill the smoke more than simply using tap water — just pay attention to the water level as the ice melts.

Are bong water substitutes damaging to my glass?

Plain water and citrus water will not cause any harm. Sugary liquids allowed to sit for an extended period of time will attract mold and leave behind a residue that is difficult to clean. Acidic liquids such as cranberry juice actually help prevent buildup as long as you clean your bong regularly. The largest risk is not damaging your glass — it is what develops inside if you allow it to sit.

What is the best inexpensive bong water upgrade?

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into your normal bong water. Takes five seconds, provides a fresh taste, and the citric acid will help prevent resin from building up on your bong glass. Most inexpensive upgrade you will ever make.

Is warm water really better than cold?

Depends on what bothers you the most. Cold water cools the smoke and decreases the burning sensation while inhaling. Warm water adds moisture to the hit and smoothness, however, it does not cool the smoke nearly as much as cold water. If you cough excessively from dry hits, try warm. If you want the coldest hit possible, go with cold or add ice.