McSmoke Leaf Glass Bong, Blue, 16 cm

Not every bong has to be a tall showpiece that fills half the table. Sometimes a small one that sits on a shelf is all you need. The McSmoke glass bong in the Leaf design stands 16 cm high and comes in blue and white.

McSmoke glass bong: the facts

Height: 16 cm
Material: glass
Colour: blue and white, with a leaf design

How a 16 cm bong compares with a tall one

In a tall bong the smoke travels further and usually meets more water, so it arrives cooler. At 16 cm the path is short and the water chamber small. Harshness is the usual complaint about small models, according to several bong retailers. In return, you get a piece that needs little water, fits in a drawer and is simple to handle.

If you want large, cool hits or a bong to pass around a group, a bigger model will suit you better. For one person who wants something compact, this size is a reasonable choice.

Getting the water level right

With so little room inside, you have less margin for error than with a large bong. Add water until the lower end of the stem is just covered, then take a test draw. You will notice an overfilled bong straight away: the draw is heavy and water may reach your lips. An underfilled one lets the smoke through almost without cooling. Adjust in small steps; at this size a small splash changes the draw.

Cleaning and care

Pour the water out after every session and rinse, which saves scrubbing later. For a deeper clean, add isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt, cover the openings, shake, and rinse well. A pipe cleaner or thin brush reaches the spots that shaking does not. If white marks build up on the glass, your tap water is probably hard; filtered water reduces them.

McSmoke lists the material simply as glass, so treat it gently. Rinse with warm water, never boiling, and let a cold bong reach room temperature first. A fast jump in temperature can crack glass.