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Ice vs. Percolator for smoothness, coolness?

jodasty

Well-Known Member
Been viewing this site for quite a while but just getting around to membership. Thanks to great contributions over the years!

I'm getting a bubbler/bong for my girlfriend. It has to be Polycarb/plastic, because of our clumsiness and that of our cat. I'm considering the Transformer tubes (and Steele) and the Jet Subzero mini.

The previous device that she liked was one that I had made and dubbed The Dragon. It was two jars filled partway with water and with tubes going in and out (and sealed); essentially a double bubbler.

I'm leaning toward the Jet Subzero with the extra percolating feature, but want to know if there are disadvantages. Does it introduce extra drag (harder to suck)? Does it take THC/TBD/Terpenes out of the smoke? Does ice cool better?

I think my alternative would be the Steele with the fake-ice cubes (from them or just get some locally)?

Any help?
 
jodasty,

jodasty

Well-Known Member
smoking, though I have a Arizer Solo, so I may try hooking it up (girlfriend doesn't like vape; likes smooth smoke).
 
jodasty,

vorrange

Vapor.wise
water tends to trap some terpenes so there is less flavour in your hits than with ice. I think ice has more particulates but it is cooler and more pleasant on your throat.

I would invest in a simple straight tube anyway... better than acrylic bongs. there are china bubblers for 20USD... i think it is worth it, despite the clumsiness and the cat. Although i don't know the level of clumsiness and your cats personality... mine are quite peacefull for cats.

And it's THC and CBD, ;) haha.
 

jodasty

Well-Known Member
And it's THC and CBD, ;) haha.

Yeah whoops. I'm an expert-- you can tell.


I don't think I'd get glass then wrap it in foam tape; that would be more ghetto-looking than just getting a polycarbonate bong.

I just ordered 10 steel "ice" cubes, so those should help.

People say that their bong water is perfectly clear when using an active carbon filter at the bowl, so I'm guessing not a lot (or any) carbon dust gets out (as long as it's washed).

I'll look at some cheapo glass...
 

lwien

Well-Known Member
In my opinion, for vapor, you are better off with less diffusion rather than more.

I use the Steele Concepts all the time filled with very warm, almost hot water and it is.......smooooooooth while at the same time not diffusing the taste out of your bud.
 
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Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
The Jet is probably good for smoking, too much filtration/percolation for vaping for most people (as most people that vaporize really like the taste, as opposed to smokers wanting a 'smoother' [more filtered] hit).

Honestly though a small glass tube can be had for as little as $10 at my local headshop. Sure, it's not gonna be a glass on glass tree perc piece, but it can be bought and is functional for its purpose.

I don't really bother with ice, maybe once a month if that. I find hot water to be better at moisturizing vapor (and probably smoke too) and the moisturized hits are smoother than a bunch of ice before it goes in.
 
Quetzalcoatl,

vorrange

Vapor.wise
No need for a carbon filter with vapor. That will problably trap some goodies, and we want those goodies don't we? :D

Cheap glass beats acrylic, also if you look for a simple piece like a straight tube or a bubbler and buy a diffused downstem it is pretty easy to find nice prices in the US, under 50USD. (or 10USD. :p)
 

jodasty

Well-Known Member
yeah I have no desire to filter my vape at all. I'm just trying to make something for very-filtered smoke, for the GF.

Guess I'll look around for cheap glass, but why is cheap glass (or any glass) better functionally than polycarbonate?
 
jodasty,

Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
Better in terms if being able to clean it more thoroughly. You can soap and water an acrylic for only so long before it starts to age from use. I always use isopropyl alcohol to clean my glass before a final hot water rinse because I like knowing the stuff is clean. Minimizing risks, etc. acrylics don't do well with ISO and will creep/degrade. Granted they're more likely to survive falls... Maybe i would consider one for vaping strictly. Maybe. If I had no other choice.
 

syrupy

Authorized Buyer
Yeah whoops. I'm an expert-- you can tell.


I don't think I'd get glass then wrap it in foam tape; that would be more ghetto-looking than just getting a polycarbonate bong.

Maybe a gravity bong or one of those made out of a water bottle? Glass is the way to go. After breaking a couple of pieces, I guarantee you'll get good at putting it out of reach of clumsy humans and felines.

People say that their bong water is perfectly clear when using an active carbon filter at the bowl, so I'm guessing not a lot (or any) carbon dust gets out (as long as it's washed).

Like the poster said above, ANY carbon dust is not something you want to inhale. Eat it sure, think of it like those activated charcoal capsules they sell to help with digestion. But inhale it, no thanks.

Edit: just thought of an idea for a new edible--charcoal that has had vapor run through it put in blank capsules. Get you medicated and help digestion.
 

vorrange

Vapor.wise
yeah I have no desire to filter my vape at all. I'm just trying to make something for very-filtered smoke, for the GF.

Guess I'll look around for cheap glass, but why is cheap glass (or any glass) better functionally than polycarbonate?

Not better functionaly... if your gf is combusting, by all means use an acrylic. she won't notice the difference anyway.
 

goatgobaahh

Well-Known Member
Listen brother as long as I have been smoking/vaping I have always pondered this question to myself.

"Should I have started off with cheap glass, broken it over time, and acquired new different cheap glass over a long period of time to have more experience with different types of bongs?"

I ask myself this question because I went the other route.
I dropped the money on the expensive Steele concept that I knew would never break and would provide ( judging the millions of positive reviews I read on here) the optimal smoking/ Vaping experience.

When you break glass it's inconvenient you have to deal with the heart break, save your pennies for another bong, and more importantly go without a bong for at least a session.

The fact is I never have to worry about that. Anytime I want to smoke/vape I KNOW my SC is going to give me an phenomenal session.

You're going to love it, your friends are going to love it, and your girlfriend will love it too. I say this after using this and various other bongs about a year after my first purchase which is my SC which is still my daily driver because it delivers such a high quality experience.

I wouldn't steer you wrong I just know you'll love the Steele Concept.


Edit: let's say the smoke isn't smooth enough...which it's very smooth btw. You can just add a ash catcher and people will awe at how sweet your setup is!
 

Caligula

Maximus
This man makes good points!

...however I'd still never use a plastic bong myself.

It's the principality of the matter, Smokey.













Wait for it...





















Yum!
Graffix1.jpg
 
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lwien

Well-Known Member
..acrylics don't do well with ISO and will creep/degrade.

Not according to Steve from SC. Now granted, he has a financial reason to state otherwise, but is he being dishonest by suggesting to use ISO to clean his tubes?
 
lwien,

Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
Not according to Steve from SC. Now granted, he has a financial reason to state otherwise, but is he being dishonest by suggesting to use ISO to clean his tubes?
Sorry, "acrylic" is a generic term in that sense. I should have been more specific. I've seen the "cheap grommet acrylic" bongs turn white, of course my friend didn't believe me and had to see for himself.

Steele's "acrylic" is probably ISO resistant, I don't know since I don't have one. Most plastics are fine with ISO (hell, you buy it in a plastic bottle) but some don't react well.
 
Quetzalcoatl,

Tweak

T\/\/34|<
"Should I have started off with cheap glass, broken it over time, and acquired new different cheap glass over a long period of time to have more experience with different types of bongs?"

I'll play devil's advocate.

I went the first route. Bought cheap glass and broke it.

Yeah it sucked, but nothing beats the feeling of looking, ordering, and trying some new glass that you picked out yourself. Experiencing the feels of different types of percs, using different mouthpieces at different heights. Sharing your experience with others and discussing it on FC.

For me, glass just brings vaping full circle. Using laboratory grade conically tapered joints and a vaporizer to extract the essential oils of a plant, can't get any cooler than that.
 

goatgobaahh

Well-Known Member
I'll play devil's advocate.

I went the first route. Bought cheap glass and broke it.

Yeah it sucked, but nothing beats the feeling of looking, ordering, and trying some new glass that you picked out yourself. Experiencing the feels of different types of percs, using different mouthpieces at different heights. Sharing your experience with others and discussing it on FC.

For me, glass just brings vaping full circle. Using laboratory grade conically tapered joints and a vaporizer to extract the essential oils of a plant, can't get any cooler than that.

Hey brother I've got other glass too, but this is the beautiful thing about our community. We have two people who went two different routes and we are both sharing our experience for others to learn from!

The true nature of being a part of this wonderful community!

:tup::leaf:
 
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goatgobaahh,
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flotntoke

thoroughly vaped
Back in the day it was all acrylic. I know you other old timers out there remember the days when if you didn't have a TokeMaster or similar (US Bongs was another), you were slacking! For those of you who don't remember, TokeMaster was a clear acrylic bong with a red or blue acrylic stem glued right in. There was a metal threaded insert you could screw a one hitter or party bowl on. And, the damned stems used to break on the inside constantly - leaving the whole thing worthless! Think I still might have one or two out in the garage stashed in a box - broken stems and all. Saved them thinking I could one day figure out how to glue the stem back on and hold it in place with a coat hanger pulled through it or something. Not that I (and everybody I knew) didn't try! It just never really worked and you'd be using nasty glues and .... well you get the picture. Even before the stem broke, they would get cruddy quickly and stay cloudy even when cleaned. Cleaning was a real chore and anything you could use to clean it would take almost as much re-cleaning to get the cleaner out as the bong crud did! Couple friends and I figured out Lestoil (Pinesol) worked best for cleaning, but try getting that taste out of plastic! Vinegar, hot water, air dry, leave in a sunny window.... after a few days you could put water in and use it again.

I made a few bamboo bongs of my own after tiring of that mess, but usually stuck with stone or very hard wood bowls and joints - just to get away from the nastiness and headaches of plastic. Still have a few friends that keep the old acrylics (and new cheap ones) going. Never take a hit at their place. About 15 years ago I bought my first glass spoon/bowl, and never looked back. If not glass, I'd make my own with soapstone bowl and a nice reed for a stem. All natural, cheap and disposable with 0 environmental impact.

Skip ahead to 5 or 6 years ago when I finally discovered glass bongs & bubblers and vaping. Many thanks again to FC!!!! DUDE!!!! It's a whole different world!

My opinion.... get the cheap Chinese glass over acrylic every time. Store it out of the cat's usual range and keep it within arm's reach while you're using it so you can grab if necessary. It does suck when you break a piece, but nowhere near as much as smoking through plastic. Glass has no taste and is simple to clean if you don't let it go too long. Bet you won't go back.

Allow me to share a quick story.... I just picked up a couple cheap Chinese bubblers I read about here on FC. Got one for myself, and one for a close friend who refused to consider anything but her cheap acrylic. It was very inexpensive with a discount for 2 or more, so picked it up for her as a Christmas gift. Just saw her the other night for the first time in a few weeks and had a chance to ask how she liked it. "OH MY GOD!!! Can't believe I didn't listen before and throw that other piece of shit out! Second night with the glass, got all stoned and ceremoniously broke that cheap, blue plastic tube into pieces before throwing it out. What glass do you think I should get next?" And, that's from a total combusting smoker.

Be careful, lock the cat out of the room while toking, tie the cat to a friggin chair if you have to - BUT GET OFF THE PLASTIC!!! You'll love it! Smoother, no taste, easy to clean, pretty, can see the vapor/smoke swirling around in there.... IMO the only way to fly!!
 
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