The filter chamber is the part of the bong where the actual filtration takes place – usually the water chamber. Here, the smoke is passed through water, cooled, and freed from some of the coarser particles. Without a filter chamber, a bong would just be a tube.
How does the filter chamber work?
The smoke enters below the water surface via the downstem and rises in bubbles. As it passes through the water, it cools down, and some of the particles are left behind. The finer the bubbles – for example, through a diffuser or percolator – the better the filtration.
Multiple filter chambers
More elaborate bongs have more than one filter chamber. Each additional chamber filters and cools again, making the draw even smoother. The trade-off is slightly more draw resistance and more cleaning effort.
Why clean water is important
The filter chamber only works well with fresh water. Old, dirty water filters less effectively and degrades the taste. Therefore, the water should be changed after each session and the chamber cleaned regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should be in the filter chamber?
Enough so that the downstem is submerged one to two centimeters – enough for filtering, but not so much that it splashes into the mouthpiece.
What happens without water in the chamber?
Then no filtration takes place, and the smoke is hot and harsh. An exception is specially designed waterless bongs.
Why does the water get dirty quickly?
Because that's exactly where the residues remain – it's a sign that the filtration is working.
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