What to look for in glass
The only thing that really matters in a bong, pipe, or rig is the glass itself. Look for borosilicate — sometimes labelled as "boro" or "Pyrex-style" — because it's more heat-resistant and thicker than soda-lime glass. Thickness is measured in millimetres at the joint and base; anything under 3mm is going to crack when you look at it sideways, and we don't stock pieces under 4mm. Beyond that, buy what you actually like looking at. A bong sits on your coffee table; it should be something you enjoy.
Grinders: 2-piece vs. 4-piece vs. 5-piece
A 2-piece grinder is the simplest tool — just teeth between two halves. It's fast, cheap ($10–15), and works fine for joints you're rolling right away. The downside is there's no kief catcher, so you lose some of the trichome dust that falls off during grinding.
A 4-piece grinder adds a mesh screen and a bottom chamber that catches kief. This is the right call for most people. The chamber slowly fills with potent, pollen-like trichome powder you can sprinkle on top of a bowl when you want a little more. Four-piece grinders in aluminum run $20–35; titanium or ceramic-coated pieces push to $45.
A 5-piece grinder is a 4-piece with an extra screen. They exist. Most people don't need them.
Rolling papers: rice, hemp, flax
Paper choice is a personal thing, but the materials matter. Rice papers are the thinnest — they burn the slowest and contribute the least flavour to the smoke, which is why flavour-focused smokers prefer them. Expect a slower burn that occasionally needs re-lighting. Hemp papers are thicker, burn more evenly, and are the most forgiving if you're still learning to roll. Flax or unbleached flax papers sit between the two — a nice middle ground. We stock all three, plus classic wood-pulp papers if that's what you grew up on.
Cleaning your glass, briefly
The short version: rinse with hot water after every couple of uses, then do a deep clean with isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) and coarse salt every week or two, depending on how heavily you smoke. The salt is the scrub; the alcohol is the solvent. Shake, rinse, dry. A dirty bong tastes bad and reduces the actual flavour of what you're smoking. It's the single cheapest upgrade to your experience.
We sell pipe cleaners, cleaning caps, pre-mixed cleaning solutions, and replacement screens. For a full walkthrough with photos, see our guide on caring for your glass.