Key Takeaways
- Percolators enhance the smoking experience by providing superior filtration and cooling.
- They help you enjoy intense and smooth hits.
- There are various types of percolators, each offering unique benefits.
- Regular cleaning of your percolator is essential to maintain performance.
- Percolator bongs are ideal for both beginners and experienced smokers.
If you’re on the lookout for devices to elevate your cannabis smoking experience, a percolator may be exactly what you need. But what is a percolator? How does it work? Why are they popular? Why do you need one? Let’s dive into the details.
What Is a Percolator?
A percolator is the part of a bong or dab rig that diffuses smoke. This process further cools and filters smoke, making it easier to inhale. Through providing multiple layers of filtration, cannabis smokers enjoy rich, flavorful, and irritation-free smoking sessions that are hard to beat. They come in a variety of designs, each of which produces unique types of bubbles and filtration.
Bongs with a percolator are known as percolator bongs. Unlike standard bongs, which filter smoke through a single water chamber, percolator bongs include specialized components that break down smoke into tiny bubbles, improving filtration and cooling. This results in a smoother, cleaner, and more enjoyable hit.
How Does a Percolator Work?
The magic of a percolator lies in its ability to diffuse smoke through water. When inhaling, smoke is directed into a chamber in the bong filled with water, breaking it into small particles. This process achieves three key outcomes:
- Filtration: Impurities and toxins are trapped in the water, making the smoke cleaner.
- Cooling: It helps cool down the smoke, making it gentler on your throat and lungs.
- Refined Taste: The improved filtration allows the natural flavors of your herb to shine through.
Types of Percolators
Percolators are the unsung heroes of the bong world, with each type offering distinct advantages. Some of the types include showerhead percs, inline percs, and turbine percs. Here are some other popular designs:
1. Diffused Downstem Percolators
These are the simplest and most common type and they have the percolator within them, rather than inside the bong itself. They consist of a tube with slits or holes at the bottom.
As smoke passes through these openings, and into the water chamber the diffused downstem percolator creates bubbles that filter and cool the smoke. Downstems are easy to maintain and ideal for beginners seeking a straightforward experience.
2. Tree Percolators
They get their name from their trunk-like appearance, with multiple branches extending from a central stem. Though it can vary, tree percs tend to have between one and eight flow paths or arms. Some smaller models may have multiple tree arms, often two or three, whereas elaborate models go all out with eight.
Each branch features small holes or slits that diffuse smoke into fine bubbles. While they require more care during cleaning, they offer superior filtration, making them a favorite among enthusiasts.
3. Honeycomb Percolators
Named for their resemblance to a beehive, honeycomb percolators feature flat discs with numerous small holes.
One disc can have 100 or more tiny holes. These create thousands of tiny bubbles, maximizing filtration and delivering exceptionally smooth hits. Their compact design also makes them easy to clean and maintain.
Moreover, you can stack multiple honeycomb percs to multiply your diffusive capacity. However, due to how small these holes are, honeycomb percolators block easily. So if you’re going to use a honeycomb perc, it’s essential to clean them very often!
4. UFO Percolators
Resembling a flying saucer, UFO percolators have a unique shape that combines excellent diffusion with minimal drag. Smoke passes through strategically placed holes, resulting in a smooth and efficient hit. Their futuristic design adds a visual appeal to your bong.
5. Matrix Percolators
For ultimate filtration, matrix percolators combine vertical and horizontal slits in a grid-like pattern. Basically, matrix percs are a stack of showerhead percs. This intricate design provides maximum diffusion, ensuring each hit is as smooth as possible. Although these are among the most effective percolators available, they’re hard to clean. Make sure to clean them regularly to avoid them getting blocked up.
6. Showerhead percolator
These get their name from their shape, and work in much the same way as conventional shower heads. The smoke goes up a tube, at the top of which is a disc featuring many holes. The smoke is forced through these holes in a fine, diffused spray, making your hit smoother and cooler. These percs are loved since they are effective, and simple to clean.
7. Fritted disc percolator
These percs are, essentially, ready-stacked honeycomb percolators. They offer powerful diffusion but can be incredibly difficult to clean if you let them build up with resin. Remember to clean them often.
8. Turbine percolator
Due to the way they’re shaped, they pull the water up the sides of the bowl and create a cyclone, or whirlpool, in the middle of the bong. On top of looking epic, this helps to expose maximum smoke to the cooling effects of the water, achieving smooth hits.
9. Spiral percolator
Spiral percs (also called coil percolators) work much like tree percs. The main difference is the shape. As the name suggests, these percs coil up through the body of the bong, like a snake about to strike, and offer not only great diffusion but also the smoothest pulling power.
10. Faberge egg percolator
Often containing Swiss cheese-like holes, “fab egg” percs essentially act like a bong within a bong, preventing the smoke from making contact with air, and allowing for greater smoke filtration before the hit reaches your lungs. Fab egg percs tend to work alongside other types of percolators, as opposed to standing alone.
Each type of percolator offers a unique experience; pick one that caters to your preferences and needs. Some bongs even combine multiple percolator styles for enhanced performance.
What are the Benefits of Percolators?
Some of the benefits of percolator bong include:
- Superior filtration for cleaner smoke
- Cooler, smoother hits
- Wide variety of designs and styles
- Enhanced flavor and reduced irritation
How to Choose the Best Percolator Bong for You
When choosing your percolator consider:
- What you prefer, such as a honeycomb, tree, or showerhead percolator.
- The size of the bong and the number of percolators you need.
- Quality of glass, such as borosilicate glass, for maximum filtration and durability.
- Comparing the price to other options on the market.
How to Clean a Percolator Bong
Regularly cleaning your percolator bong is important to maintain its performance. Here’s a simple cleaning guide:
- You’ll need isopropyl alcohol, coarse salt, cleaning caps, and warm water.
- Remove all detachable parts, such as the downstem and bowl.
- Soak the bong in a mixture of alcohol and salt. Cover the openings with cleaning caps and shake vigorously.
- Use warm water to rinse out all cleaning residue.
- Allow the bong to air dry before reassembling.
Conclusion
A percolator is a game-changer for anyone seeking smoother, cooler, and more enjoyable smoking experiences. By efficiently filtering and cooling smoke, it enhances flavor while reducing harshness, making it a valuable addition to your smoking setup. Whether you’re a seasoned user or a beginner, investing in a percolator is a worthwhile step toward elevating your sessions to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a percolator, and what’s its purpose?
A percolator is a small glass pipe or disc that cools and filters smoke, making it smoother and less harsh.
Do percolators affect THC absorption?
Slightly more THC is lost during filtration, but the difference is minimal and doesn’t significantly impact your high.
How often should I clean my percolator bong?
For best performance and hygiene, it is best to clean your bong after three or more usages.
Are percolator bongs suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! They’re user-friendly and offer a smoother hit, making them ideal for new smokers.
Can I add a percolator to my existing bong?
Yes, you can use a percolator attachment to upgrade your current bong.
What materials are percolator bongs made from?
Most are made from glass, but you can also find silicone and metal options.
Do percolators make bongs harder to use?
Not at all. While they add complexity to the design, using a percolator bong is as simple as using a regular bong.
What’s the best percolator for smooth hits?
Honeycomb and matrix percolators are highly recommended for their excellent filtration and ease of use.
Where can I buy a percolator?
The best place to purchase one is from a reputable online retailer.
