How Often Should You Change Bong Water? (you'd be surprised)

Dirty bong water is nobody’s friend and, if untreated can lead to various health complications.

Luckily, the solution to these potential issues is as simple as changing your bong water regularly.

Read our guide to learn how often you should change your bong water and avoid health issues while at it.

When Should You Change Your Bong Water?

Regular cannabis consumers should change their bong water at least once a day.

Consumers who wish to get maximum flavor from a bud or concentrate can change the bong and bubbler water before smoking new strains.

Even casual smokers should rinse out their bongs and change the water after each use.

Once rinsed, it’s best to leave the bong dry out before filling it with fresh water. Running boiling water through a dry bong pipe or bubbler ahead of every use can prevent the inhalation of ash particles and pathogens.

At the bare minimum, regular weed consumers should replace their bong water every 2-3 days.

How different climates affect sitting bong water

Consumers who live in hotter and drier climates can change the water once a week, but that’s not advised.

Aside from changing the bong water, serious consumers should also clean the bong with alcohol every 7-10 days to get rid of the leftovers water cannot eliminate.

If the bong water stays unchanged, it’s best to keep the bong in a dry, and clean place.

Health implications of not changing bong water

If bong water is not changed regularly or accordingly, it can lead to various issues like ash resin, mildew, fungus, bacteria growth, etc.

These pathogens can travel directly into your lungs and increase the risk of developing a pulmonary infection.

Signs You Should Change Your Bong Water

You’ll know when your bong needs a change of water or cleaning just by observing a few indicative signs.

Dark Muddy Water

Has your bong water changed from clear to brown? Are there floating particles in it? Discoloration in your bong can be normal with regular use.

But if the bong or water pipe is getting darker and dirtier, not cleaning the bong or changing the water can lead to a lung infection.

If you don't have time to clean your bong or you're using someone else's, a quick freshening up with clean water can greatly improve your cannabis experience.

You Can Smell It From a Mile Away

If your bong smells funky, then it's definitely overdue for a cleaning and a water change.

Once you are done rinsing the bong, clean it with alcohol and salt to remove the foul odor. 

At the bare minimum, rinse the bong with boiling water and refill it with fresh water.

Visible Mold

Wherever there is water, there’s life, but also bacteria and fungi that don’t belong inside bongs, bubblers, oil rigs, or other water pipes.

Harmful pathogens thrive in water, no matter how often you use the bong. Some bacteria and fungi can be beneficial, but the ones that grow inside a bong are not meant to be inhaled into the lungs.

To ensure your safety, avoid smoking from any bong that shows signs of:

• Pink discoloration
• Fuzzy white or gray molds
• White speckled powder, or black discoloration or speckles.

Resin Buildup

Scraping out the resin from a dab rig as a way to salvage the weed’s psychoactivity is not advised. Resin buildup inside your bong can get charred and corrupt the flavor of your bud or concentrate.

Not only that but the leftover charred plant matter or resin can become a breeding ground for molds and mildews to feed on and thrive in.

For the best smoking experience and to prioritize your health, avoid using bongs that have visible resin buildup and were exposed to water. Keep your smoking gear clean for a smooth, tasty, and safe bong session every time.

Benefits of Changing Your Bong Water Frequently

Changing your bong water frequently can provide you with various health and experience benefits.

Better Flavor

A clean bong and changed bong water make the buds or concentrates much more flavorful.

As you take a hit, the bong water acts as a filter, cooling down the smoke and removing impurities.

Over time, the water can become dirty and murky, and affect the taste of your smoke.

By changing your bong water often, you'll get the best possible flavor from your cannabis.

Smoother Filtration

Filtration helps remove harmful toxins and particles from the smoke, which results in a smoother hit.

But, as the water in your bong gets dirtier, its filtration ability can be compromised, leading to a less enjoyable smoking experience.

Changing your bong water frequently helps maintain optimal filtration, protects your lungs, and gives you the silkiest hits possible.

Less Foul Odor

Without cleaning them on time, bongs can certainly spread a specific odor around your home.

The combination of stale water and resin buildup can create an unpleasant smell that's not only off-putting but can also linger in the air long after your smoke session finishes.

Regularly changing the water and cleaning your bong is a must for keeping the foul odors at bay.

Bong Will Last Longer

A quality bong can be costly, so it's important to take care of it to ensure it serves you longer. One simple way to extend the lifespan of your bong is to change the water frequently.

If not, dirty water can lead to residue buildup on the glass, which can be difficult to clean and can damage the glass over time.

By changing your bong water regularly, you can prevent residue buildup, keep your bong in superb condition, and enjoy quality sessions for years to come.