Bong grinding simply explained

What is a cut and what is it good for?

What is a cut?
In short, a ground joint is a connection point, for example, from the coupling to the bong bowl. Clean workmanship of ground joints is extremely important, as only then can a tight connection be achieved. In glass bongs, the ground joint is the circular connection point on the bowl.

Connection point:

A variety of components can be inserted into these. For example, chillums for immediate use, or couplings and adapters for installing additional accessories such as a bowl, pre-cooler, etc.

Coupling:

Most glass bongs have a so-called standard ground joint. Typical joints are the 14.5 mm (NS14), 18.8 mm (NS19), and 29.2 mm, meaning a connecting piece with a diameter of 14.5 mm, 18.8 mm, or 29.2 mm.

Another aspect is the "gender" of the cuts. There are male and female ends. A female cut is inserted into a male end, while a male cut fits into a female end. Sounds simple, right? The crucial thing is that the dimensions (the cut) of the counterparts always match.

What is a bong bowl? How do I use other accessories?

To modify your bong and connect additional equipment, you need a connector. This looks similar to a chillum and is inserted into the bowl of your bong. Instead of a bowl, it has a wider cut at the end. Here, you can attach a custom bowl or connect a pre-cooler, activated carbon filter, etc. Of course, it's important to always pay attention to the cut!

Coupling + head:

 

Bong and bowl have different cuts? No problem!

If your accessories have a different cut than your bong, you'll need an adapter. There are adapters that use different cuts at each end. For example, you can insert a special 18.8mm adapter adapter into your 18.8mm bong, which has a recessed 14.5mm cut at the other end. This special type of cut is called an inside cut. Now you can insert, for example, a bong bowl with a 14.5mm cut or other accessories with a 14.5mm cut.

Furthermore, you have the option of using a 2-Fits bowl with two different cuts. Two different bongs with different cuts? With this bowl, it's possible:

What are adapters?

An adapter is a short piece that allows you to change both the diameter and the gender of the joint. This isn't just useful for accessories like pre-coolers, but is also often used in dabbing. Many oil bowls have a female joint, which means you attach it to a male joint. Since your coupling will likely have a female joint, you'll need a suitable adapter with two male joints to connect a coupling to a female oil bowl.

Or do you need a head adapter with a 14.5mm grind to a 10.0mm special grind? There are various options for this, too. For example, the following adapter:

Head adapter 14.5 to 10.0 cut

What is a diffuser?

A bong diffuser is an accessory designed to optimize airflow and water flow in the bong to enhance the smoking experience. The diffuser is typically placed at the bottom of the bong tube to further refine the smoke before it reaches the bowl.

The function of a diffuser is to break the smoke into smaller bubbles, resulting in better filtration and cooling. This has several advantages:

1. Better cooling : The smoke is cooled by the water, making it less irritating to the respiratory tract.
2. Safe and gentle inhalation : By distributing the smoke into smaller bubbles, the draw becomes smoother.
3. Improved filtration : The diffuser can help ensure that more contaminants (such as tar and resins) remain in the water instead of entering the lungs.

There are different types of diffusers, including:

• Slitted diffuser : Has several small slits through which the smoke is divided into many small bubbles.
• Honeycomb Diffuser : Has a disc-like structure with many small holes that allow for even distribution of the smoke.
• Percolator Diffuser : A more advanced form that uses multiple chambers or “percolators” to further filter and cool the smoke.

Choosing a diffuser depends on your preferences as to how much cooling and filtration you want.

The most important terms summarized:

Chillum: With a chillum, you can get started right away. The chillum is inserted directly into the connection point of the bong.

Coupling: This looks similar to a chillum and is also inserted into the bowl of your bong, but at the end it does not have a bowl, but rather a wider cut.

Diffuser: A bong diffuser is an accessory designed to optimize the airflow and water in the bong to enhance the smoking experience.

Head: A bong "head" (often referred to as a "bowl") is the part of the bong where the smoking material is placed. There are different types of bong heads, which can vary in material, size, and design.

Bong cuts: 10.0mm cut (extremely small), 14.5mm cut (common variant), 18.8mm cut (common variant), 29.9mm cut (XL cut)