Swiss Percs – Hole-y Smoke!

There are plenty of Swiss things that are pretty amazing. Swiss cheese, Swiss Miss hot chocolate, and Swiss bank accounts for shady corporate executives trying to conceal their vast fortune. And now, another Swiss masterpiece has entered the world: Swiss percolators!

Percolators are not a new concept for veteran smokers. And as an online head shop, percolators are definitely not a mystery to us. But if you find yourself wondering what they are and what makes them so special, wonder no longer. Basically, since bongs have been around, smokers have been customizing them for the purpose of making the smoke as smooth and pleasant as possible. Enter percolators.

Smoking from a bong has a ton of advantages – and percolators are one of them. There are several different kinds of percolators. And all of them, using different techniques, are engineered to cool down the smoke. One of the most popular percolators used in bongs today is the Swiss percolator, better known as the “Swiss perc.”

So what is it and what makes it unique? Keep reading to find out about this hole-y Swiss miracle!

What is a Swiss Perc?

A Swiss percolator is named for its most distinctive features: a whole bunch of holes that bear a resemblance to Swiss cheese. It delivers a singular kind of filtration, which is the main purpose of percolators.

The holes that are welded into its surface serve as a barrier. Smoke and water are compelled to move around it, creating more bubbles and cooling down the smoke.

Swiss percolators are occasionally paired with other percolators to double the filtration technique.

When Was it First Introduced?

Notable glassblower Nate Dizzle, sometime in the late 2000’s, was on an epic quest for the perfect percolator. He wanted it to be a perfect balance of style and function. Which means, it had to look great but also deliver premium filtration.

During the prototype process, he compressed the main chamber. This meant there would be limited room for air to get “caught” and go stale. And it also allowed for low-drag smoke that looked fantastic.

Making Swiss Percs

Crafting Swiss percolators requires a very specific procedure. And it’s generally pretty different from the making of most other percolators.

To make Swiss percolators, the lamp workers have to blow two plates of glass and then fuse them into one. Using a torch, they puncture holes in the glass during the fusion of the plates.

At first glance, Swiss percolators appear very fragile and delicate. But the truth is, they’re extremely well crafted and usually made of thick, durable glass.

Swiss Percs & Water

Swiss percolators are installed in the tube of the bong. And essentially, this means that the water and its levels are critical to the functioning of the percolator.

Water levels vary for each bong. The best way to get a perfect hit with a Swiss percolator is to fill the water about a third of the way through the percolator’s main chamber. Once you’ve done that, give the tube a good pull.

If you’re seeing the water diffuse to the top of the chamber, and no splashback is occurring, you’ve gotten the ideal water level. And if you’re experiencing splashback, try pouring some water out.

Hole-y Smoke!

A lot of smokers select Swiss percolators because of their excellent filtration. Bongs that are made with Swiss percs usually have very low drag. And this means that it takes a lot less lungpower and energy to clear the pipe.

When a Swiss percolator’s paired with another, more traditional percolator, it eliminates the bubbles created by the other piece. And when it’s combined with another percolator, it enhances the experience. Every combination offers different possibilities.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Admittedly, cleaning a Swiss percolator can be kind of tricky. But you should be cleaning it on a regular basis. And that’s because the longer you wait, the more demanding the cleaning will become. First and foremost: keep your bong safe.

Res gel is an indispensable tool when it comes to cleaning glass pipes of any kind. Using all-natural, clay-based ingredients, it quickly removes any kind of dirt or resin buildup gentler than abrasive cleaners. And it also eliminates the risk of breaking your bong by cleaning it with elbow grease and excessive handling.

Conclusion – the Hole-y Grail of Percolators

Swiss percolators are just one of the many percolators you can find in top-shelf bongs and pipes. It serves a very specific purpose and is beloved by many of the most devout smokers.

The bong has come a long way throughout its smoky history. From ice catchers to ash catchers, percolators to coils, we continue discovering new ways to create smoother smoke. And Swiss percolators are just one of the many components that have contributed to its glorious evolution.