Shothole vs. Lift Off

The kick hole is a small opening on the side of many bongs that is used to control the air supply during the smoking process. Normally this hole is kept closed with a finger (usually the thumb of the hand holding the pipe) while pulling the pipe and

only opened briefly at the very end. This leads to a sudden release of the negative pressure in the bong and the complete smoke shoots upwards towards the mouth opening. This ensures that the complete smoke can really be consumed. In addition, the sudden oxygen supply increases the smoke performance.

Lift-Off technique

However, the use of a kickhole or the kickhole itself is rather a European speciality. Smokers in North America usually prefer another technique to control the air supply: the so-called lift-off method.
At the end of the smoking process, the bowl is briefly lifted out of the cut to ensure sufficient oxygen or pressure compensation. In order to avoid burning your fingers, the heads of the Lift-Off Bongs often have practical handles that allow the process to be carried out without causing serious injuries. Very hard "honorary smokers" don't care and already have corresponding corneas.

this way, that way?

You want to test both options first and only then decide? And that best without having to buy two bongs? No problem: many bongs now have lockable kick holes. A small rubber plug serves as a seal during lift-off smoking and can be easily pulled out if necessary.