"Finally: Gmundner presents ceramic bong". What started at the end of July as a provocative satire piece by the Tagespresse turned into an extraordinary success story. Not only did the news make waves in the media — one month later, the first prototypes were actually produced in a very small batch. However, turning a prototype into a fully functional product requires expertise and experience. It's no wonder, then, that Alexander Köck, authorized signatory of Gmundner Keramik, relied on the expertise of SCHALL&RAUCH, Austria's largest specialist retailer for smoking accessories. Thanks to the active involvement of shop manager Peter Feichtinger and managing director Raffael Riccabona in the product development process, the bongs were optimized for use.
Well, and since December 12th, the time has come: at the Keramik Manufaktur Gmunden, alongside the traditionally well-known cups, plates, and pitchers, a dedicated ceramic bong collection is now being served up. The handcrafted unique pieces are currently produced in 3 designs: "Green Flamed", "Regenbogen" and "Alpenblumen".
From collaborative development to functionality
To ensure the vases are not just eye-catchers but can also be used, the experts from SCHALL&RAUCH were consulted during the development process. "With a belly bong, the proportions of the belly and the shaft need to be just right.", says Peter Feichtinger. The initially large belly of the bong was therefore reduced in size, and the tube, which was originally relatively short and slim, was made longer and given a larger diameter.
"Additionally, during construction, care must be taken to position the bowl at the correct angle." If the angle is too shallow, the downstem doesn't fully submerge in the water. If the angle is too steep, water can leak out. With the optimal angle, the downstem sits as deep as possible in the water without any liquid escaping.
Bong, bong accessories and equipment
Just as well thought out as the functional design are the two main components of a bong: the downstem (chillum) and the detachable herb holder (bowl).
Chillum
Typically, the chillum and the bowl are two separate units. As a special custom piece for the Gmundner Bong, both elements are connected in one piece made of borosilicate glass. Depending on your personal preferences, you can swap out the chillum and bowl as you wish.
Bowl
The herb chamber of the Gmundner Bong is a push bowl (pull-through type), but you can also switch to a screen bowl. Which type is right for you depends on your preferences and smoking habits.
With a push bowl, a smaller amount of herbs is loaded and smoked in one hit. The burned material then slides directly down into the water. A screen bowl holds a larger amount of herbs, which can be smoked in several hits. The residue stays caught in the screen, which also keeps the bong comparatively cleaner.
The right bowl is chosen by size. Glass bowls are ground to a standard size of either 14.5 or 18.8 mm diameter. Within both sizes, the attachments can be freely swapped by color and type. Switching to a larger or smaller bowl is possible with a joint adapter.
More about our bong bowl range →
You can easily equip your Gmundner Keramik Bong with additional professional equipment.
The attachments are always placed between the chillum and the bowl with the herb insert.
Activated carbon adapter
The glass body of the activated carbon adapter can be filled with either loose activated carbon or an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon, a 100% natural filtering agent, removes nicotine, tar, and pollutant particles from the smoke.
Shop our activated carbon adapters →
Ash catcher
Especially when smoking with a push bowl, the ash catcher helps keep your bong clean and makes cleaning easier. The burned particles don't go directly into the bong but are caught by the intermediate piece. Even if you use an ash catcher, you should still clean the bong at regular intervals.
Check out our ash catchers →
Pre-cooler
As a water-filled tank, the pre-cooler acts as a diffuser and filters particles from the smoke. Its main function, however, is cooling. Especially with smaller bong models, the intermediate piece can produce cooler smoke.
Discover the range →
Using the bong
What experienced users will notice right away: unlike other bongs, the model from the Salzkammergut doesn't have a carb hole. A carb hole lets you control how much smoke is drawn in with each hit. With your Gmundner Bong, however, you can easily regulate the airflow without a carb hole by simply lifting the bowl before inhaling.
... And if you'd like a carb hole for your bong, contact us and get your personalized Gmundner vase!
Pro tip: Since the water level isn't visible from the outside, we recommend filling the bong with 150–180 ml of cold water before use. The colder the water, the cooler and smoother the smoke. At the same time, the water filters particles from the smoke. To check if you've got the optimal water level, you can run a quick test. When you draw through the mouthpiece, the water in the belly of the bong should start to bubble. If water splashes up and over, you've added too much and should pour some out.
Cleaning, maintenance, and care
Your bong will enjoy a happy and long life if you clean it regularly — ideally after every use. You can use hot water and our in-house SCHALL&RAUCH BIO Reiniger. Not in the mood for hand-washing? Then the ceramic bong is perfect for you. You can simply wash it in the dishwasher along with your other Gmundner Keramik pieces!
Pro tip: Let your bong cool down after each wash cycle before refilling it with cold water.
Stay tuned for more Salzkammergut in your home. We are continuously working on further developing the bong. Starting next year, we want to make the bongs even bigger ...