By: Shakira Washington
Whether you enjoy the aesthetic or just looking for an enhanced smoking experience, the next steps in your weed smoking journey usually involves purchasing a bong.
While glass is still the traditional material for bongs, silicone is an alternative bong material that is as effective as a glass bong, but more durable and less fragile.
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Below is an overview of silicone rigs and bongs and a few products you can find on Amazon.
What is a silicone bong?
Silicone is a synthetic polymer composed of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. The properties of silicone are similar to rubber because of its malleability and multi-purpose use.
Silicone acts as an excellent bong material due to its low toxicity and resistance to high heat. Also, most silicone bongs or silicone rigs come with accessories such as a removable downstem and glass bowl for extra protection and longevity for the life of your silicone bong.
Glass is still the most popular material for bongs. It provides a high-quality smoke, and there is also the cultural significance of owning a glass bong. Their artistic appeal fits into any home decor, and the designs vary from classic to abstract.
Glass bongs also provide the smoothest and more high-end smoking experience, for it leaves no lingering tastes behind. The water filtration makes the smoke easier to inhale and removes any toxins.
Two downsides to glass bongs are the fragility and the expensive cost. A good quality glass bong can cost upward from $50 and on the higher end up to $1000.
Although companies manufacture glass bongs out of a denser glass that is less breakable, it is still extremely fragile when compared to silicone.
Silicone has different properties, which brings distinct advantages and disadvantages to its use as a bong material.
Pros of Silicone Bongs
The malleability of silicone makes it unbreakable. Silicone’s durability is more practical if you are a clumsy person, or using the bong in large groups of people, where accidents are prone to happen.
Silicone is lightweight, and the flexibility makes it a perfect travel companion. Pack it away for your next trip, and you don’t have to worry about damage or wasted space. The lightweight quality makes it an excellent alternative for people with disabilities or injuries.
Silicone bongs tend to be less expensive than glass, and most products have the accessories included, so you don’t have to buy the extra parts to use the bong properly.
The most popular reason that silicone bongs are preferable to glass is they are easy to clean. Since they are malleable, you can clean all the nooks without risk of damage. You can even clean it in the dishwasher since silicone is resistant to heat and water damage.
Cons of Silicone Bongs
Unlike glass, you will have a mild lingering of plastic taste and smell when you smoke out of a silicone bong. Unfortunately, no matter how much you clean the bong, the synthetic flavor will remain.
Since silicone is porous, like all plastics, it needs to be clean more often to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.
You should double check that the silicone is BPA-free to avoid any unwanted toxins.
However, if you enjoy the aesthetic of the smoke flowing through the bong, silicone is not the right choice. Silicone bongs are opaque. Although they do come in marbled bright colors, but the patterns are limited.
Are silicone bongs safe?
You most certainly can smoke out of a silicone bong! Silicone is heat resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so it will not melt, transfer heat, or retain heat during smoking.
The low toxicity and low chemical reactivity of silicone also means you are not inhaling any toxins while smoking. Overall, silicone is just as safe as glass.
Can you buy a collapsible silicone bong?
Yes, due to the malleability of silicone, there are bongs available that are foldable or collapsible.
Here are a few silicone bongs from Amazon that are affordable, durable, and cute!
Silicone Rig
The classic design comes in a variety of colors and includes a glass bowl and down stem. It is simple and ready to use. The silicone rig is also BPA-free, eco-friendly, and dishwasher safe.
Bettli Silicone Elephant Bub
This elephant-shaped silicone bub is perfect for anyone who loves cute and tiny things! This product includes a silicone herb pipe, and the customers are satisfied with a rating of 4 stars.
Silicone Seahorse Straw Holder
The seahorse holder works well as a straw or a chamber. Also, made from BPA-free food-grade silicone, this product is a perfect beach buddy with its tropical theme. The customers are happy with a rating of 5 stars!
Hand-Crafted Silicone Bong
Beautifully crafted out of high-quality materials, this silicone bong is the best choice for your first silicone bong purchase. The bong includes a glass bowl attachment and a manufacturer’s guarantee. One satisfied customer left a 5-star review.
Pineapple Keychain Bowl
The pineapple silicone keychain is perfect for someone on the go! It is pocket-sized, easy to use, and also stylish. It also works well as a small bowl or a holder, and it is just as effective as a bong. Customers agree with ratings of 4 out of 5 stars.
Reusable Water Bub
If you love quirky things, then this bub is for you. The dinosaur-like bub comes with a bowl and water filter, but you can use this with or without water. A couple of customers said it’s affordable, small, and durable and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Silicone Foldable Bong
The best thing about this silicone bong is that foldable, which makes it easy for travel and impossible to damage. Although one customer did not like this feature, rating 1 star, you should try this and decide for yourself.
Silicone Hand Pipe
With its elephant shape and artistic design, this hand pipe has a silicone bong’s fantastic qualities and a beautiful design. Customers rated this fresh-looking product with 4 out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
Silicone is an essential material in many industries, such as cookware. Because of its heat resistant and unbreakable qualities, it is now a staple in the marijuana industry.
The community is rapidly growing, and it makes sense to provide alternative products as it reaches a broader audience. If you can cook with silicone, you most certainly can smoke out it!
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Shakira Washington is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.
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