Most people want an effective, but simple, cleaning technique that is not going to take too much time and also does not present them with the risk of damaging their bong; whether it be a simple acrylic version, highly sophisticated glass bong or a multi-pipe bong, when they come to use it the day after a heavy party.

There are a number of options when choosing cleaning products for you bongs and pipes. The company promotes the Dr Green Bong Cleaner, which is suitable for use on acrylic, metal, glass and ceramics.

For the lazier cleaner there is also the option of the twist-a-pipe, which is as simple to use as it is to clean and means you can choose what length pipe you use each time by pulling out and twisting the pipe to the desired length. The pipes are made from anodised aluminium, making them unlikely to break, however much twisting, pulling and cleaning you do.

Other methods for cleaning bongs that have been tried by users include using acetone and pipe cleaners. Alcohol and salt are also sometimes used as a cheap and effective method. Roor produce their own range of cleaning accessories for Roor pipes and bongs and there are a number of products out there to ensure your bong does not become dirty and full of smoke you do not want hanging around for your next session.

The mechanics behind a percolator pipe involve the addition of an extra compartment in the pipe that cools down the product that is being smoked, similar to a water-cooled engine on a motor vehicle.  Dome and tree percolators are the most common products but there are others on the market.  The additional chamber filters the smoke so that it doesn’t hit the back of the lungs with a stream of hot smoke when the user is inhaling from the bong.

A percolator bong that has a diffuser will also act as a filtering mechanism and protect the smoker still further.  These glass products come in many designs, colours and sizes, from the standard bong to one that  imitates a traditional Middle Eastern hookah and can be highly decorated and ornate.  The main idea behind the product is to increase the intensity of the smoke and enhance the whole experience.

Roor pipes are different in that they lack the water-cooling mechanism and can be portable.  Essentially a Roor pipe resembles a glass tube, open at both ends with a pipe bowl fixed to the middle.  The user inhales the smoke from one end of the tube and uses their finger to control the amount of smoke they inhale. The gauze in the pipe bowl filters out impurities and rubbish that sometimes come with natural ‘high’ mixtures.

Roor do a variety of steam roller pipes, which are all hand blown and made from silicate glass, using generous quantities to make their Roor Pipes more durable.

The design of Roor pipes is renowned by both new and more established users across the world. In 2009, the company scooped first prize in the glass category at the 22nd ‘High Times Cup’ in Amsterdam. The company showcased the Roor Excalibur, which stands at over six feet tall.

Roor are known for their unique twist on the market, adding fun and originality to their designs, particularly in the form of the 33-piece Cypress Hill collector’s editions.

The company also has an enviable reputation as one of the best bong suppliers internationally, due to their ease of use and the quality of glass, which makes them more durable and easier to clean.

The range of bongs available caters for every need, from small indoor pipes to the larger Icemaster models, which is where they start to become more expensive. 

Roor are produced in Germany, but have a strong reputation and following in Holland. The company seems to have thought of everything to make their product stand out, not only in the precision and durability of the design, but also in the quality of the replacement parts available. Hand blown glass bowls are available in plain designs for functionality and also in unique and detailed designs for people who want to give their bong an added twist of interest.

The company also produces bong bags, rolling papers and stash jars and with the quality of material and reputation they have gained, it is easy to see why they are one of the biggest providers in the market today.

Some bong manufacturers install diffusers in their percolators. A diffuser is a downstem resembling a test tube sealed at one end or containing lots of small holes which produce very tiny bubbles in the water. This allows the smoke to be cooled more effectively.

Percolators can be in the form of a double helix, a tree, a dome or a pedestal. A tree percolator can have several arms, or downstems which make it easier for the smoker to pull the smoke.

The average tree percolator conducts the smoke into the water by means of between one and eight paths. Some intricately designed tree percolators are very difficult to manufacture.

A dome percolator has just one piece in the form of a cylinder which sends the smoke to the deepest part of the water. A dome percolator is diffused using triangle shaped spaces along the base.

Bongs with percolators or diffusers built in are more expensive than regular bongs, but some cheaper models can be fitted with a diffuser. A popular example of a percolator bong is the Chakra Glass Percolator Ice Bong which is ten-and-a-half inches tall with a large capacity bowl.

Once you have paid for a high quality percolator bong, there is a slight additional cost, as you will need to clean the percolator on a regular basis.

The most common percolators are the tree and the dome shapes. Pipes containing more than one percolator give the pipe greater capacity to filter the smoke. Some percolators have a diffuser built into them. This is a downstem that is perforated to produce very small bubbles in the water. The finer the bubbles, the purer and cooler the smoke.

Another way of enjoying a natural high without taking in impurities from smoke is to extract the essence of the herbs with a vaporizer. Two of the leading vaporizers on the market are the Plenty and the Volcano models, manufactured by Storz & Bickel.

Some herb smokers prefer to enjoy smoking through a water pipe, while others prefer to minimise all impurities with a vaporizer. Water pipes and vaporizers are available from the same shops that sell herbal smoking mixtures, cigarette rollers and novelty ashtrays.

No matter what you are looking for it is almost certain that Shiva has it.  They also carry a great selection of tobacco alternatives as well as detox and testing kits, ashtrays, hip flasks, gadgets, gizmos and of course, the turds, which are wildly popular and highly collectible polyresin figurines. It is also a great place to purchase all your legal highs, incense, cannabis seeds, beer bongs and pongs, rolling papers and cones, and herbal highs.

One of their new and outstanding products is the snuff bullet blizzard.  This fancy new device is available in numerous metallic colours as it allows users to take hits of snuff without making a mess.

This hand-held snuff dispenser will simply blow you away as you enjoy hits of your favourite snuff anytime, any place.  Sitting down to take the hit is not even required!  Fill it up by unscrewing the base.  Holding the bullet upside-down, a quick flick will push snuff into the inside compartment. Twist the bullet right way around while ensuring the sniffing hole remains at the top of the device. To use, simply inhale through your nose.  This product comes complete with two additional rubber o-rings.

Bongs fitted with a carb helps to push the smoke into your lungs through allowing or preventing the outside air pressure into the chamber.  In glass bongs, the carb effect is created by removing the bowl at the end of the stem.  In acrylic bongs, there is a hole in the chamber.  Always clear the chamber of smoke before taking another hit.

You should ensure that the bong is filled with water to the correct level about one inch above the bottom of the stem.  Do not overfill your bong or allow it to run out of water. If you do, then you risk either inhaling contaminated water, the water will flood your herbs, or the smoke will not be very smooth.  You should also change the water regularly to make cleaning your bong easier.  It is also important to change the water frequently as it collects a lot of contaminants from the combustion process.

Think about the amount of herbs you will place in your bong.  The better the quality of the material, the less you will need.  You also want to allow a few hits per batch to get the best hits from each load.

Glass Bongs

These are usually a normal shaped bong with a design etched onto the glass.  The cannabis leaf is the most popular design, but for those who prefer the legal high route, there are also musical instruments, machine guns and skulls for sale.  For a more colourful glass bong, Roor Pipes have teamed up with artist Martin Birzle to create a gorgeous painted design in red, yellow, orange and black.

Ceramic Bongs

Ceramic bongs let designers really go to town.  They can come in all sorts of shapes, from Yoda to Flipper the dolphin.  Death seems to be a common theme, with bongs in the shape of death’s heads and the Grim Reaper, or pistols that you can put in your mouth to make it look as though you are playing Russian roulette.  I am not sure what this says about the psychology of those who use them, but at least nobody could accuse the makers of these bongs of downplaying the health risks that even the smoking of herbal highs can carry.  However, for a more cheerful design, you could always choose a cute frog or dinosaur instead.  There seems to be no limit to the creativity of these designs.

The bong allows the user inhale cool smoke, which is safer for the lungs and mouth and generally more pleasant. The vapours travel through the water and the user inhales it from the mouthpiece at the top of the device. Studies suggest that some of the mind-altering properties are lost in this process, so the user will have to inhale more smoke in order to have the same effect. This may result in having to use more of the legal substance than regular tobacco smoking.

There are many different types and sizes of bongs available on the market today and buying them is simple, especially online. In many shops bongs are classed as water pipes or smoking pipes, because it is illegal to sell any paraphernalia that is linked to illegal drugs, which is often the case with the bong. However, it is perfectly legal to buy and own a bong, as long as you are not smoking illegal substances. Other devices that are similar include Roor Pipes and chillums, which are also legal to use.

Roor pipes can be bought over the internet and in specialist shops, but always keep an eye out for the signature mark. They start at around £80-£90 which may sound somewhat expensive, but their quality and usability is of a very high standard.

How to Use Your Roor Pipe

•    Make sure your pipe is clean, dry and free of any dust or other particles that may be harmful if inhaled. Your Roor pipe will only give you the optimum experience if it is properly maintained and looked after.

•    Test the optimum water level by heating some water in a clean and substance free pipe. You do not want too little water, which will hinder the proper vaporisation of your tobacco or other legal high. Similarly, you do not want too much, as it might bubble up and touch your mouth, which can be dangerous and painful.

•    Ensure that whatever you are smoking is correctly spread out in the bowl of the pipe, so that vaporisation occurs consistently and evenly.

•    When you are ready to start smoking, light the substance and inhale deeply. Make sure that you remove the bowl so that the pipe is only filled with enough smoke that you can empty in one motion.