It’s not just the bong water that gets passed around. Water percolators are also used to make concentrates for dabbing, and they can be as simple or complex as you want them to be. There is no single best way to use a water percolator, but we’ll give you some tips on how to get started with this fun-in-your-face piece of glassware.
If you’ve ever been at a party where someone has passed out a bong filled with concentrate—or even if you haven’t—it’s probably hard not to see it as an experience straight from the pages of High Times magazine.
You take your hit, hold your breath, exhale, and then…it hits you like a wave of pure magic.
But there are many different ways you can enjoy concentrates.
They’re great for smoking marijuana too. But what about other things? What if you don’t smoke pot? How do you get into all those great concentrates without buying yourself a new wardrobe? That’s where water percolation comes in.
What Is Water Percolation?
Concentrates have become increasingly popular over the years. Many prefer vaping to smoking because it doesn’t leave any ash (sometimes none). However, most vapes require their oil. This means you need to purchase more than one product.
And while it’s possible to find oils that are good for smoking and vaporizing, choosing between them isn’t easy.
The solution is to combine the benefits of each by using a concentrated form called shatter (also known as wax) and distillates. Shatter contains THC, which provides the psychoactive high associated with smoking cannabis. Distillates contain CBD, which helps relieve pain and relax muscles. So why not put these together?
In short, you heat a mixture of shatter and distilled water, let it cool down until it reaches room temperature, add flavoring and then inhale through a tube. If you drink, pour the heated mixture into a cup instead of inhaling. Simple enough? The process sounds similar to making tea, but the final results differ.
Shattered water will burn your mouth and lungs after you inhale. Once inside your body, it travels throughout your bloodstream, delivering its full dose of THC within seconds. In contrast, drinking the same amount of water would take much longer to reach the bloodstream. Plus, you won’t feel as stoned if you drink it immediately.
Drinking something hot may sound pleasant, but you’d never want to try it with a bowl. After all, the point of smoking weed is getting stoned quickly. While you can drink water during the day and still get pretty buzzed, achieving the desired result takes time and effort.
Now that you know more about water percolation, here’s what you should consider when buying a water pipe.
How Does It Work?
There are three main water pipe types: bubblers, gravity bongs, and hand pipes. Each type works slightly differently but uses the same principle: water flows from a reservoir to a chamber containing loose material where the substance is extracted.
From there, the water passes back into the reservoir before repeating the process again and again.
Bubbler-style devices usually come in one piece. Gravity bongs consist of several pieces, often made of clear acrylic. Hand pipes are typically small and resemble cigarette holders. All three styles produce thick clouds of smoke.
While all of these work well, some are better suited for certain activities than others. Bubbler-style units are the simplest to set up and clean. With gravity bongs, you might have to assemble multiple components. On the other hand, hand pipes are the easiest to transport and handle.
All three styles are excellent choices if you concentrate primarily on smoking marijuana. However, they aren’t ideal for users who wish to experiment with other extraction forms.

What Are Some Uses For Water Percolation?
When you think of water percolation, you immediately picture the classic method of extracting cannabis. As mentioned earlier, this requires heating a mixture of water and shatter until it reaches boiling point. Then, you strain the liquid and flavor it with herbs, spices, or essential oils. Finally, you place it in a container and suck it back through a straw.
However, there are lots of other options available. For example, you can extract concentrates from tobacco, hashish, coca leaves, and opium poppy seeds. Or you could go completely wild and combine your favorite ingredients for a unique recipe.
Most importantly, water percolation offers a quick and efficient way of enjoying concentrates. Rather than having to wait 30 minutes for a joint to pass through the burning phase, you can consume it almost instantly. Not only does this save time, but it reduces the possibility of accidentally inhaling harsh toxins.
Is A Water Percolator The Best Choice For You?
That depends. If you want to start smoking marijuana, you’ll want a bong. But if you’d rather focus on other forms of consumption, you might want to look elsewhere. Concentrated mixtures require specialized tools and equipment. If you don’t already possess the proper gear, you shouldn’t waste money on a water percolator.
On the other hand, if you’re dabbing, you’ll need a device that extracts the active ingredient from plant matter. Dabs are essentially concentrated that is highly potent. Like regular concentrates, you must use a tool designed specifically for the purpose. Otherwise, you risk inhaling dangerous fumes or chemicals and damaging your lungs.
For instance, you could use a nail file to extract concentrates, but it will likely yield inconsistent results. When you dab, you want to ensure that your materials are safe and effective. Fortunately, there are plenty of quality products on the market today. Search online for “dab rigs,” and you’ll find dozens of options.
A water percolator is a fantastic choice for beginners. If you’re new to concentrates, you must first learn about the effects of various substances. If you’re unsure which ones to avoid, you could end up hurting yourself.
Some argue that water percolation is unsafe because it heats the water, causing steam. In reality, the process of boiling water produces far fewer toxic emissions than traditional methods of combustion. Furthermore, the intense heat created by a water percolator causes evaporation, which removes harmful toxins.
Once familiarizing yourself with water percolation, you can begin experimenting with different recipes. Most people keep it simple and stick to common flavors such as vanilla, mint, and lemon. Others try mixing up exotic combinations of herbals, fruits, and sweeteners.
Remember always to follow safety guidelines regardless of what you decide to do. Never exceed the recommended dosages, and stay away from anything that makes you dizzy, lightheaded, or overly excited. If you encounter side effects, stop consuming the product immediately.
Seek medical attention if necessary.
Water percolation is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to enjoy concentrates. It provides a convenient alternative to smoking joints or consuming edibles. If you’ve never tried it, now is a perfect time to start exploring your creativity.
My Favorite Water Percolator Glass Bongs
Wildrok Single Tree Percolator Beaker

Wildrok glass on a glass water pipe with a beaker base and a 6-arm percolator. Does it get any better than this? This perc pipe offers superb craftsmanship with 5mm Schott Duran pyrex used through the production of this bong.
All Wildrok Glass Bongs come with a diffuser downstem, martini ice ponch slide, and ice notches.
Water Pipes of this quality are few and far between; buy a percolator pipe now and enjoy the smoothest smoke you have ever had.
Size: 41cm
WS Series Puncher 5mm – Colour

60cm tall and 5mm thick glass, this WS Series Puncher features a 3-arm Tree Percolator and a Coloured Dome Percolator for a smooth smoking experience.
The decorated round base gives it a sturdy footing, and the ‘Tankcut’ joints on the bong and downtube are extra strong to withstand clumsy knocks that thinner joints wouldn’t. Ice notches above the Dome Perc allow for the addition of smoke-cooling ice cubes.
Size: 60cm
G-Spot – Inner-Cool System Bong 3.5

G-Spot Bongs are made with the finest borosilicate glass under the highest quality standards. Each bong is tested for minimum glass thickness before they even leave the workshop, and they are all oven-tempered to make each one a strong and tension-free bong.
This G-Spot Inner-Cool System Bong has a 2-part shaft, with the upper part a percolator that you can fill with water for a second water filtration system in one bong. And provide yourself with one of the coolest, smoothest smokes available today.
Size: 65cm