Water Level

Make sure your bong is filled (with water) to the appropriate level before you let anybody smoke from it. If the chamber is too full, you're going to get bong water on your lips every time you take a hit. (Bong water tastes nasty!) Also, when you fill the bong too high, you run the risk of having water rise up the stem (Figure 3.3) and soak your weed.

Not enough water is also a problem. The water's surface should be at least one inch above the bottom of the stem. When the water level is too low, the smoke will not be cooled or filtered properly. Both of these conditions are cause for harsher hits.