Glass 101

[flotntoke]

Tried pretty much everything. Iso, grunge off, pwb, alconox, and vinegar. Like I said this was my first rig so I wasn't super careful with it and didn't clean it frequently.

This all started after going on a few months without cleaning and daily usage. I decided to pour out the water and do an iso soak. It was dirty but not like super gross. There was this strange film that was on the bottom right under the stem and also some sort of hanging film on the bottom of the stem itself. I also noticed a few small flecks on the bottom that wouldn't come off either. These were still present after like a week long iso soak. Thats when I stumbled upon the pbw thread and subsequently discovered products like alocnox, grunge off, and simple green. Tried em all and got rid of the hanging film on the bottom of the downstem but the film on the base and small particles still remained. Plus I had these white stains on the side from the pwb/alconox. I've since bought new rigs and am now a little ocd about cleaning. Which brings me to the situation I'm in....really didn't need to get it clean I just really wanted to! My wife was giving me a hard time about this....she was like "ugh does it cause any problems function wise...if not I wouldn't worry about some small white film you can see when holding up to the light" But like I said ocd....it was driving me nuts.

Either way, from now on I have a large glass lock container that I have filled with simple green and just let all pieces soak in it overnight. Pull them out the next day and rinse...crystal clean. I am a little concerned about any sort of lingering chemicals in the simple green but I have yet to read anything that scares me enough to go back to iso. They say eco-friendly but i do worry about any long term residual buildup on glass we use to vape out off of.

Yeah.... if you let it sit grungy like that it can happen. I'd still put it in the SG for a couple weeks, then let ISO sit in it for a couple more. Don't sweat the SG. It isn't going to adhere to the glass like gunk will. You just want to make sure you rinse it all out, and as you know it is pretty bubbly. So, once you see no bubbles shaking water in it, it is all gone. I don't soak my pieces in a bucket, but if really dirty let them soak with SG for a couple days/week, then ISO for a day or so, then rinse. Only use PBW rarely to bring them up to "brand new" clean.

Do you know if you have hard water? I do and it will add white deposits like crazy. So much so that I buy distilled water for use and always give a rinse with this before setting out to dry. I have a couple different gallon jugs of it. For my first rinse after some tap water rinse I add a drop of alcohol to it and pour that back into one jug. This is my rinse jug. When pulling one off the shelf for use, I may give it a rinse with this or not, but always put much more fresh distilled water in than needed and shake it up before pouring out the excess.

 

[jrcmang]

Yeah.... if you let it sit grungy like that it can happen. I'd still put it in the SG for a couple weeks, then let ISO sit in it for a couple more. Don't sweat the SG. It isn't going to adhere to the glass like gunk will. You just want to make sure you rinse it all out, and as you know it is pretty bubbly. So, once you see no bubbles shaking water in it, it is all gone. I don't soak my pieces in a bucket, but if really dirty let them soak with SG for a couple days/week, then ISO for a day or so, then rinse. Only use PBW rarely to bring them up to "brand new" clean.

Do you know if you have hard water? I do and it will add white deposits like crazy. So much so that I buy distilled water for use and always give a rinse with this before setting out to dry. I have a couple different gallon jugs of it. For my first rinse after some tap water rinse I add a drop of alcohol to it and pur that back into one jug. This is my rinse jug. When pulling one off the shelf for use, I may give it a rinse with this or not, but always put much more fresh distilled water in than needed and shake it up before pouring out the excess.

Thanks for the suggestion! Have no idea about hard water but I've just always used tap water. I'll go pick up some distilled tonight at the grocery store and give that a go.

 

[flotntoke]

Thanks for the suggestion! Have no idea about hard water but I've just always used tap water. I'll go pick up some distilled tonight at the grocery store and give that a go.

Really depends on what is coming out of your tap, but using distilled isn't going to hurt. And, think I pay like $1.19 per gallon jug or something for the generic at whatever grocery store.

I have a well and my water has a lot of minerals, iron, etc. It is very common in my area. Took me FOREVER to clean up my first few glass pieces once I figured out this was the problem. That film is VERY hard to get off once it sets in. No problem washing/rinsing with tap water, though. Just have to make sure you rinse it off before it dries - or just dry it off with a towel on the outside. So, if this was what happened to you (and suspect this is kind of what happens when PBW has been on too long) be ready to just deal with the ghost white stains.

 

[jrcmang]

The ghost white stains....very well put. Exactly what I'm dealing with.

 

[sokesleezy]

I'm still confused about how to differentiate a large "bubbler" from a bong. Do the terms become interchangeable then? I originally thought that a bong work via vacuum where you inhale, then you pull the downstem/slide and the vapor/smoke shoot up into your mouth. Is this incorrect?

 

[flotntoke]

I'm still confused about how to differentiate a large "bubbler" from a bong. Do the terms become interchangeable then? I originally thought that a bong work via vacuum where you inhale, then you pull the downstem/slide and the vapor/smoke shoot up into your mouth. Is this incorrect?

Think it varies quite a bit with a lot of interchangeability. I always think of a bong as a straight tube no matter how many and what type of percs are in it.

Beaker based bong with a few percs:

Bubbler is more something with a can and a mouthpiece of some sort sticking out in whatever direction. The simple, but well loved, D020

Not to be confused with a hand-held smoking bubbler. Usually a sherlock or hammer type bowl that will hold a bit of water and bubble:

Pretty sure many here at FC use same criteria, at least somewhat. Hope this helps!

 

[abcd5432]

I'm still confused about how to differentiate a large "bubbler" from a bong. Do the terms become interchangeable then? I originally thought that a bong work via vacuum where you inhale, then you pull the downstem/slide and the vapor/smoke shoot up into your mouth. Is this incorrect?

When you inhale, you're pulling air and heat through the substance and into the bong. When you pull the bowl piece out of the bong, the vapor "shoots up" because you've remove friction and thus have allowed you to pull air through the piece more easily.

With a bowl with a carb hole, you cover the carb hole when hitting the piece and the air/heat is forced to go through whatever you're smoking. Then, when you release said hole, because the friction pathway between that hole is easier than going through whatever you were smoking, it goes through there and clears the piece.

Large Bubbler vs Small Bong?
Really just go with what you feel describes it best. Generally speaking I use bubbler to refer to smaller pieces that are more handheld. I'd consider something to be a small bong if it literally has the shape of a bong. The total volume/smaller a piece is, the more likely I am to consider it a bubbler. In the D020ds case, even though it sits at 9 inches tall from some vendors, I consider it a bubble due to the overall size and I can use it in my hand easily. However, a 9 inch egg lik ethis

I consider to be a bong even if the fab egg design probably cuts down on the total air volume in the piece. Also due to the down stem area. When a piece has a downstem/bowl area like the d020d I consider it to be a bubbler although I can think of a few that I'd consider to be a bong like the microscope pieces.

 

[nukami]

is the Grace Glass - Limited Edition Vapor Bubbler with Inline Showerhead Diffuser is it worth the money?

 

[063_XOBX]

is the Grace Glass - Limited Edition Vapor Bubbler with Inline Showerhead Diffuser is it worth the money?

That's a subjective question. It's not worth it to me but it might be worth it to someone else. If you just want a cheap bubbler go look in the cheap high quality bubbler thread.

 

[grokit]

That's a subjective question. It's not worth it to me but it might be worth it to someone else. If you just want a cheap bubbler go look in the cheap high quality bubbler thread.

Many of these come up for sale in the classifieds as well if you don't want to go through china

 

[kushkush]

I'm a newbie so go gently...I'm sensitive. ha

Can someone explain the two standard sizes 14mm and 18mm. I have a Volcano and want to buy the GonG mouthpiece for it and it comes in both sizes. I think I'll prolly eventually need both sizes.

Anyhow, if I get the 18mm mouthpiece does that mean it'll fit a bubbler that's got an 18mm mouthpiece?

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

I'm a newbie so go gently...I'm sensitive. ha

Can someone explain the two standard sizes 14mm and 18mm. I have a Volcano and want to buy the GonG mouthpiece for it and it comes in both sizes. I think I'll prolly eventually need both sizes.

Anyhow, if I get the 18mm mouthpiece does that mean it'll fit a bubbler that's got an 18mm mouthpiece?

14mm and 18mm are the joint (the round hole you insert the gong into, not the mouthpiece) sizes, they are tapered so scientifically you may see them listed as xx/xx the first number usually being the length of the taper and the 2nd being the circumference of the top of the joint, iirc.


I would buy 14mm GonG and an 18mm-14mm glass reducer. That way in the future you can get 14mm GonG's for any vape and already have a way to adapt it to 18mm rigs.

 

[Frederick McGuire]

I'm a newbie so go gently...I'm sensitive. ha

Can someone explain the two standard sizes 14mm and 18mm. I have a Volcano and want to buy the GonG mouthpiece for it and it comes in both sizes. I think I'll prolly eventually need both sizes.

Anyhow, if I get the 18mm mouthpiece does that mean it'll fit a bubbler that's got an 18mm mouthpiece?

Ok, so first off you have to think about 2 joints, the inlet, and the outlet.

The inlet is the joint on the bong, it lets vapor in.
The outlet is the joint on your vape/bag, it lets vapor out.

You've already decided that you want to get a gong for the outlet (your volcano bag).

While considering your outlet gong, you need to consider size and orientation.

You already are familiar that the size can be 14mm, or 18mm.

The orientation can be male (which inserts into another piece), or female (which is the piece a male piece inserts into).

I'm going to assume that you only have male options available for your bag outlet, so we only have to choose between sizes.

Choosing the right size (14 or 18mm) will depend on your bong.

Your bong will have an inlet ground glass joint, and an outlet mouthpiece.

Usually the mouthpiece is a fixed piece of the bong, but even if it has a removable mouthpiece with ground glass joints, you can ignore them for now, you only care about your inlet.

If you aren't into collecting, & If your inlet is a female joint, sweet! Then you just need to match up the sizes, and you're golden.

If you plan on having a few bongs around, then going for a 14mm male outlet joint is generally the most easily adapted to other joints. You can find adapters for just about any combination of male/female, 14/18mm combos.

 

[kushkush]

Thanks to both of you that responded to my question! I appreciate your comprehensive answers.

I used the wrong word...it's an adapter, not a mouthpiece that I need to buy for my Volcano bags. Sooo...I should get the 18mm Volcano adapter and also get an 18-14mm glass reducer, so then I could use the Volcano adapter at either an 18 or 14mm joint? Is this correct?

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

Thanks to both of you that responded to my question! I appreciate your comprehensive answers.

I used the wrong word...it's an adapter, not a mouthpiece that I need to buy for my Volcano bags. Sooo...I should get the 18mm Volcano adapter and also get an 18-14mm glass reducer, so then I could use the Volcano adapter at either an 18 or 14mm joint? Is this correct?

You can go either way, however I prefer 14mm with the 18mm glass reducer (mainly aesthetically), but they also make an adapter for the way your thinking.

 

[kushkush]

I have to laugh I'm getting so confused. ha But...if it looks better, should I get the 14mm Volcano adapter and an 18mm glass reducer from China. By the way...what do I look for in that glass reducer, what will it say it is so I can know what I'm buying?

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

This is the 18/14 reducer, requires a 14mm GonG.

This is a 14mm Male to 18mm Female, would need this for 14mm female inlet pieces if using 18mm GonG.

Either way, they make an adapter so you're all set!

 

[kushkush]

That's exactly what I needed! Thanks so much for the pictures! Now I'll go shop.

 

[kushkush]

What is a carbon filter and is it something to put in a bubbler or bong?

 

[NevadaPradah]

What is a carbon filter and is it something to put in a bubbler or bong?

Yes, its a small extra glass peice that is very similar to an ash catcher. But instead of having a peculator and water, it contains only small chunks of activated carbon. The activated carbon chunks, filters the smoke before it enters your bong making it a lot cleaner of a hit on the lungs, it also keeps your bong cleaner too.

Here is an example of a carbon filter : http://aqualabtechnologies.com/mcfinn-s-carbon-filter-with-metal-screen-18mm.html

The activated carbon (the black chunks of stuff in the bag) has to be washed properly and sometimes eventually replaced after so many hits through it.

If you do invest in a carbon filter please make sure to research on how to properly keep the activated carbon clean. It can be harmful to your body if you dont do it correctly

 

[kushkush]

Wow...thanks for your very informative answer. I will have to study this a bit more. And your link helps too! I'm so glad you gave that warning because I don't want further damage my lungs.

 

[NevadaPradah]

Wow...thanks for your very informative answer. I will have to study this a bit more. And your link helps too! I'm so glad you gave that warning because I don't want further damage my lungs.

Glad to help!

But yes defiantly do study it before. i honestly think they are too difficult to keep clean. But i will say they do filter the smoke terrifically. So if you are really looking to clean up your smoke and are willing to invest the time, then go for it!

Last but not least, they will add a good amount of drag to your piece (just so you know)
And also most all the flavor of the flowers is stripped/taken away because of the filter.

 

[kushkush]

Glad to help!

But yes defiantly do study it before. i honestly think they are too difficult to keep clean. But i will say they do filter the smoke terrifically. So if you are really looking to clean up your smoke and are willing to invest the time, then go for it!

Last but not least, they will add a good amount of drag to your piece (just so you know)
And also most all the flavor of the flowers is stripped/taken away because of the filter.

For me, I think it will be worth studying to pursue. And as for 'flavor'...all MJ tastes awful to me. I've been a non-inhaling vaporer for 7 years since I quit smoking and I know what good flavor is.

 

[NevadaPradah]

For me, I think it will be worth studying to pursue. And as for 'flavor'...all MJ tastes awful to me. I've been a non-inhaling vaporer for 7 years since I quit smoking and I know what good flavor is.

So your not smoking/combusting?? I honestly wouldn't suggest using a carbon filter for your Volcano, i dont see any benefits it would provide. The carbon filter i feel is best for when combusting.

Here is actually an older FC thread specifically about using carbon filters with vaporizers http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/carbon-filter-for-a-vape.6518/

 

[kushkush]

Thanks for that link! I'll read it this afternoon. I quit smoking in 2009. I vape MJ but do it infrequently and with a small bubbler and my Volcano and never inhale more than the tinest little bit. I'll prolly do it more often when I get a bigger bubbler with greater diffusion. I sure do appreciate all your advice and help!

I'm currently looking at this one.... http://www.dhgate.com/product/2015-...glass-bong-high/244144438.html#mfavit-12-null