What is a Recycler Bong?

A recycler rig is a style of dab rig that used a system of connected chambers and connections to continuously recycle the water and smoke. The recycling process helps the smoke get filtered even more and allows you to fill your bong with more water than usual as there is no chance of backsplash.

Recyclers can be simple, functional scientific dab rigs to very intricate water pipes with heady sections and sculptural elements. Most recycler bongs feature high quality percolators to help filter and cool down your dabs.

History of the Recycler Bong

The recycler bong dates back to the klein recycler invented by Quave glass. A klein is a type of recycler where there is no discernible inside or outside of the piece as there are sections that flow from the inside of the piece back into the chamber (pic below). These started appearing in the late 2000's and led to countless innovations in pipe design sparking a whole new genre of dab rigs. Recycler rigs were developed as efforts were made to improve upon classic water pipe designs.

Over the past ten years, dabbers have come to love recycler bongs for their unique filtration system and smooth hits. They are popular amongst glass blowers for the ability to create new unseen designs and showcase their skillsets.

Klein Recycler:

How Does a Recycler Bong Work?

Recycler bongs are constructed of a series of separate chambers and connection tubes that continuously move the water from one chamber to another keeping water in constant motion. This process helps to cool and filter the smoke allowing you to have smoother, more enjoyable hits.

A recycler dab rig works as follows:

1. Fill your new recycler dab rig with water ensuring that the percolator is submerged in water.
2. Place your quartz nail in the ground joint or downstem.
3. Heat your nail, let it cool, and proceed to take your dab as you normally would.
4. As smoke is pulled into the piece it will travel into the first chamber of the recycler and pass through a percolator before rising into the second chamber and draining back into the first chamber to pass through the cycle again. 
5. When you are done hitting your dab, the second chamber will drain returning all water to the first chamber resetting it for the next hit.

Benefits of Using a Recycler Bong

There are several benefits to using a recycler bong, including:

Cooler Smoke

One of the main reason s to use a recycler is that it produces cooler fresher smoke. The smoke has the ability to pass through more water since the pipe is designed to maximize function. Another reason is that the smoke clears the water closer to the mouthpiece keeping the smoke from getting stale. This makes for a consistent pleasant dabbing experience. 

Filtered Smoke

The built in splash guard in recycler rigs allows you to put more water in your piece making it easier to filter out impurities and toxins in your concentrate. This helps to reduce the harshness of the hit and may be easier of the respiratory system.

Smoother Hits

Since the dab hit passes through the chambers multiple times, hits from a recycler bong tend to be smoother and easier to inhale. This is really nice for smokers who are more sensitive to bong hits. 

Unique and Artistic Designs

Recycler bongs are known for their innovative and unique designs. Many glass blowers enjoy creating recycler bongs since there is a lot of room to make new creations and add on accessories to the piece. There is an extensive range of recycler rigs available from clear scientific recyclers to highly elaborate and decorative heady recyclers. No matter what your style of glass is, you are likely to find a recycler bong perfect for your taste. 

Types of Recycler Bongs

There are several types of recycler bongs on the market, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here are a few of the most common types:

Inline Recycler Bongs

Inline recyclers are aptly named for the inline percolator that connects the downstem to the first chamber. This design allows for a high level of filtration before it enters the cycle of water. This design is typically used for larger recycler bongs that are designed for flower.

Matrix Recycler Bongs

Matrix recyclers feature a matrix percolator that is suitable for both flower and dab hits. This design allows for flexibility in use between concentrates and flower.

External Recycler Bongs

External recycler bongs are a type of water pipe that has a drain pipe that starts on the inside of the dab rig and goes outside. Examples of this are the klein dab rig pictured above and single uptake recycler bongs like the Journey Puffco Peak replacement. 

Multi-Chamber Recycler Bongs

There are recyclers with additional chambers to the two providing more recycling and filtration. These bongs tend to give some of the smoothest and most filtered hits on the market. 

Caring for Your Recycler Bong

Like any water pipe, it is important to take care of your recycler dab rig to ensure that it lasts for years and years to come. Here are some tips.

1. Regularly clean your bong to remove any buildup of resin or bacteria.

2. Use a soft brush or pipe cleaners to clean the tubes and chambers of your bong.

3. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your bong, as these can damage the glass.

4. Store your bong in a safe and secure place to prevent damage.

Conclusion

Recycler bongs are a common choice among stoners for their added filtration system and smooth rips. The innovative design provides numerous benefits from added filtration, terpene preservation, and reduced bong size. These bongs have gained a huge fan base in the last decade and are sure to stand the test of time. Whether you are new to smoking or have been dabbing for years, we have a wide range of great recycler bongs at Glass Half Full for any collection.