Bongo

Bongo is a water pipe: the air passes through a chamber with water before reaching the mouthpiece. This category mainly features models with a silicone body, where glass is only present in the bowl or the downstem. Below, we describe the components it consists of, how different constructions vary, and what to look for when choosing and cleaning.

What is a bong made of

Each model has several fixed elements, and the models mainly differ in how they are made:

• body with a water chamber, usually in the lower part of the figurine
• bowl or downstem set in the body socket, most often made of glass
• mouthpiece, often protruding from the upper part of the figurine
• additional elements, such as a screen in the downstem or a diffuser in the chamber

Not every model has additional elements. Pikachu has a built-in screen in the glass downstem, the MIX dragon has a built-in dispersing diffuser in the body, and the standing Grogu has a removable downstem shaped like the character’s head.

Silicone, glass, and compromises

Silicone absorbs everything that can fall or bump against the edge of a table: it is flexible, lightweight, and returns to shape. It also does not slip in wet hands. Glass remains where a smooth, non-porous surface matters, that is, in the bowl or downstem.

Silicone also has limitations. It is a soft material, so the construction does not hold as rigidly as glass, and in a small model, the lower chamber holds little water. Glass elements remain fragile and require caution.

When choosing, check how the body material is described. LABUBU Labubong has a body made of heat-resistant food-grade silicone, while the MIX dragon is made of food-grade silicone.

Height and water chamber

The smallest models in the category are the standing Grogu figurines, which are 13 cm tall. This is a desktop format that fits in a backpack. Taller are the MIX dragon, which the manufacturer states is 5.5 inches tall, and LABUBU Labubong, measuring about 8 inches according to the manufacturer.

The lower chamber is filled with water to about halfway, so as not to flood the airflow. Stability depends on the base: the MIX mushroom has a wide base and a lightweight body, making it easy to set down with one hand.

Joint, bowl, and spare parts

The construction of the socket determines whether you can buy a replacement later. A 14 mm joint is the standard size: LABUBU Labubong has a removable glass bowl and the MIX dragon comes with a bowl of the same diameter. A broken bowl in such a model is easy to replace with another.

Pikachu and the MIX mushroom have a removable glass downstem set in the body. The standing Grogu does not have a coupling, so its downstem fits only this figurine and you cannot install interchangeable elements in it. It is a closed set, easy to use, but without the possibility of expansion.

Cleaning and storage

Before cleaning, disassemble everything and remove the glass. Wash the silicone body by hand with warm or lukewarm water and mild soap or detergent, and clean the glass bowl separately, for example, with isopropyl alcohol and salt. Avoid boiling water, acetone, and solvents.

Change the water in the chamber after each use, as standing water quickly starts to smell. Before reassembling, allow all elements to dry completely on a cloth, not on a radiator or in an oven. Do not scrub the print on the MIX mushroom with a brush.

Store the bong in a dry place, away from the radiator and direct sunlight, as silicone hardens and loses color over time under the influence of heat and UV radiation. Do not place it on heated plates or near an open flame. Further steps are described in the guide how to clean and maintain a bong and glass accessories.

Variants and subcategories

The MIX designation in the name indicates that the color or print is selected from the current pool. This applies to LABUBU Labubong with several colors and two versions of the figurine’s eye expression, the dragon in green, blue, or brown, and the mushroom with a multicolored comic print. Grogu figurines have the color specified in the name.

We have gathered models with a silicone body in the subcategory Silicone, and other small products in the category Accessories.

Frequently asked questions

Can a silicone bong break?

The body cannot, because silicone bends and returns to shape. The glass elements, that is, the bowl or downstem, are fragile, and they require caution when falling and cleaning. Silicone is also lightweight and does not slip in wet hands, although the construction does not hold as rigidly as glass.

What does a 14 mm joint mean?

The diameter of the socket where the bowl is set. This is the standard size, so it is easy to find a replacement for models with such a joint, like LABUBU Labubong or the MIX dragon. The standing Grogu does not have a coupling and interchangeable elements. When the bowl breaks, in such a model, it is enough to replace it with another of the same diameter.

How much water should be poured into the chamber?

About halfway up the lower chamber. Too much water can flood the airflow, and in small figurines, the chamber holds little anyway. The smallest are the standing Grogu figurines, which are 13 cm tall. Change the water after each use, as standing water quickly starts to smell.

How often should the water be changed?

After each use. Standing water quickly starts to smell, and in a single-chamber construction, there is nowhere to drain it. After pouring out the water, rinse the body and set it aside to dry. Dry the elements on a cloth, not on a radiator or in an oven, and assemble only after they are completely dry.

What should be used to clean the glass bowl?

Before cleaning, disassemble everything and remove the glass. Clean it separately from the body, for example, with isopropyl alcohol and salt, and avoid boiling water, acetone, and solvents. Glass is smooth and non-porous, so it is easy to clean, but it must dry completely before reassembling.