Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or are just getting started, buying your first bubbler can be complicated and scary. Since the bubbler is a versatile piece of smoking equipment, it may be difficult to determine what size, shape, or style will suit your needs. 

This article will discuss all the things relevant to your choice when looking through various water bubbler pipes. 

The Water Chamber

The water chamber is the bottom part of the bubbler that holds the water. It’s essential to match this size to your preferences for two reasons:

You can’t dump out any excess water from a bubbler without pulling it apart, so you will definitely want a big enough water chamber if you share your piece or plan on passing it around.

It’s also important to get a somewhat smaller water chamber if you’re looking for a portable bubbler because it will be lighter and easier to hold.

The Base

You’ll want the base of your bubbler to have enough weight to ensure that it doesn’t tip over easily. Of course, the size of the base will depend on the size of your bubbler, but a medium-sized base will be easy to hold on to and carry and ensure your bubbler doesn’t tip over. 

The Mouthpiece

As the name implies, the mouthpiece is the part where you put your mouth on to inhale the smoke from the bubbler. 

Most water bubbler pipes come with a removable mouthpiece as it is easier to clean. It is recommended, but make sure to get a replacement mouthpiece if yours doesn’t come with one.

The Bowl

The bowl of the bubbler is where you will pack your product. Make sure you choose a size that works for your smoking preferences, including how much of the product you want to use at once. You’ll also want to match your bubbler’s bowl size with the size of any screens you might use.

The Hose

The hose is simply a tube that connects to the middle part of the bubbler, called the stem. The length of this tube will depend on where you plan on using your bubbler and how far away from it you want to sit. 

Having a shorter hose means that you’ll have to get closer to your bubbler just to use it, but some people prefer this as they feel the smoke is colder and cleaner coming from a closer distance.

The Stem

The stem is just one of the pieces of the bubbler, which will often consist of two or more pieces. The stem contains the bowl and attaches to the hose. 

The Ice Catcher

An ice catcher is just a small extension of the bubbler’s bowl. Placing ice cubes in the ice catcher helps cool down the smoke even further before it reaches the mouthpiece. Smokers claim that attaching an ice catcher to the bong makes the smoking experience much better. 

However, it must be noted that, for an ice catcher to really work for this purpose, it needs to be too small to fit a hand through and reach out. 

The Neck

The neck is connected to the stem and holds everything together as one piece. The neck of the bubbler is also where you’ll find the carb hole.

The Carb Hole

A carb hole is exactly what it sounds like; a hole that leads to another part of the bubbler that helps regulate airflow and better control how hard you pull. The bubbler’s neck will most often be where this hole is, but not always.

The Air Intake

The intake of your bubbler is completely dependent on the design that you choose, though it can also be altered with pieces like drops, downstems, and diffusers. The air intake needs to work well with the size of your bowl and the size of the holes in any screens that you might use.

Consider the Size 

If your piece’s water chamber isn’t big enough, then it can lead to spills. It doesn’t matter how much weight your base has if your bowl is too small or you can’t pack enough in there in the first place.

The Mouthpiece Needs to Fit Your Lips

The last thing you want is for your bubbler’s mouthpiece to be too big or too small for your lips. It is important to pick a mouthpiece that fits perfectly. 

Double Check the Joints

Bubblers are made of various types of glass, but the most common one is scientific glass. Scientific glass is also called Schott or GE; these pieces will come apart into two or more pieces and can be easily replaced if they break.

You’ll want to ensure that any piece you buy comes apart like this or has easily replaceable parts. It is because bubblers will eventually need to be cleaned, and you want the process to be as easy and painless as possible. 

Choose Your Style Carefully

Water bubbler pipes come in all shapes and sizes, but there are two main styles that most bubblers fit into; steamrollers and bongs.

Steamrollers are simple straight tubes that never have more than one chamber (if they have even one at all). This style of the bubbler is often easier to clean but harder to use.

On the other hand, bongs are similar to water pipes in many ways, including their multiple chambers and downstems. Because of these features, bongs can be a bit difficult to clean, but they’re typically easier to use and more enjoyable.

Put simply; steamrollers are like mini versions of bongs.

Consider the Maintenance

Bubblers are typically easier to clean than water pipes, but they still need regular maintenance to function properly. If you don’t take care of your bubbler, then it can get clogged with resin quickly and make it hard for you to draw out any smoke.

To avoid this, you’ll want to invest in a glass or metal bottle brush to get in all the nooks and crannies of your bubbler. 

You may also want to ensure that you can change out any screens you use. Some water bubbler pipes will come with these attached, but most are easy to replace.

This is just a general guide on how to choose the best bubbler for your needs, but there are plenty of other pieces out there that can alter or add to these ideas. With a little bit of research and planning, you’ll be able to get what you want precisely.