Downstem With Bowl Attached? 216 Most Correct Answers

Bong Downstems: Everything you need to know

While not the most glamorous of bong pieces, the bottom tube of a bong is essential to making a hookah a water pipe. Underestimated and often overlooked, downstems play an important role in filtering and purifying the smoke for an overall smoother smoking experience.

Read on to learn all about the downstem, why it’s necessary, and how to find the right one for your piece.

What is a bong base?

A Smoker’s Best Friend: Bongs play a crucial role in the history of dry herb smoking. Bongs consist of four different parts: a mouthpiece, a bowl for your dry herb, a chamber for water, and a down tube that connects the chamber to the bowl.

This downstem is the link between the head and the water: it draws the smoke from the lit herb into the water in the chamber. Through this process, some tar and other toxins are filtered through the water, making way for a cleaner, smoother, and better tasting smoking experience.

A downspout can be removable or an integral part of your glass piece.

Need a downstem for a bong?

A downstem makes a bong a bong. Without it, a bong is a big fancy dry herb pipe with separated water at the bottom.

The downstem takes on the task of pulling the smoke through the water. Sometimes downstems are fixed or part of the structural integrity of the bong: they cannot be removed from the bong. However, if your bowl is connected to water, your bong technically has a downspout.

Using a downstem will greatly increase the quality of the smoke produced by your pipe. When the user draws air through the mouthpiece while lighting the dry herb, the downstem pushes the smoke into the water chamber. As the smoke passes through the water, some of the tar and toxins are filtered out of the smoke. Therefore, using a downstem results in a smoother, cleaner hit.

What are the bong stem sizes and how do you know what you need?

Almost every bong is different, but that doesn’t make it impossible to find a downstem.

When measuring a downstem, you need to make sure you consider two factors: the dimensions of your bong and the size of your bowl.

Bong bowls generally come in three sizes: 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. These measurements refer to the diameter of your pool’s connector. Take a ruler and determine how many millimeters this piece is.

These joint pieces fit into the top of your base and are the first piece of information you will need when purchasing a base.

The next measurement to take is the length of your stem. To find out, stick a pen or pencil into your bong until the tip is completely submerged in water, or until it’s about half an inch from the bottom of the bong. Mark where the pin leaves the bong and measure the length from the mark to the tip. This length is the length of the downstem you need.

Once you have figured out the preferred length of your future shaft and the size of the joint of your bong bowl, you are ready to find your perfect shaft.

How do you clean a downstem?

Whether or not it can be removed from your bong, cleaning your downstem is essential.

For detachable downstems, follow these steps to ensure a shiny result.

Remove the dip tube from your bong. Remove your dip tube from your bong and carefully place it in a Ziploc bag. Submerge your lower abdomen. Pour enough isopropyl alcohol (ISO) into the bag to cover the dip tube. Add salt and hot water. Eyeball in some coarse salt and a few tablespoons of hot water. The salt helps break down the dirt, so coarse salt is important. Shake. Mix it all around. Make sure your solution gets into every crevice of your downstem. Soaking. If necessary, soak the dip tube in the ISO solution for a few hours or overnight. Wash. Once your substructure is satisfactorily clean, rinse off the solution and loose dirt with warm water. Substitute. Stick your bottom back into your bong and smoke as you please.

Cleaning a solid downstem is a bit more difficult, but not impossible. Follow the same steps as above, but pour your ISO solution directly into your bong until your dip tube is submerged.

If the substructure is solid, it is also helpful to regularly remove dirt and resin from the substructure with a cotton swab or pipe cleaner.

Can you replace a bong body if it breaks?

never be afraid Although often fragile, downstems are easy to replace if they break.

Once you know the size of the substructure you need, decide which material you prefer. Since silicone and acrylic bongs often have fixed downtubes, if you are replacing a downtube it’s likely that you’ll need one for your glass piece. Luckily, you can find downstems in a variety of sizes online or at your local smoking store.

If you’re someone who breaks stems all the time, ask the staff member at the head shop about borosilicate glass. This is a stronger, tempered glass that is more shatterproof than the average bong.

Though seemingly such a small part of the bong, downstems can be an adaptable part of the smoking experience. Many come with their own set of small percolators and are designed to further filter and purify the smoke.

If glass just isn’t your thing, consider a titanium downstem. These downstems are easy to clean and not likely to break. Many also come with adjustable features to fit any bong and bowl.

summarize something

Without Downstem, bongs aren’t bongs at all. While probably the least talked about part of a bong, downstems are an integral part of the water pipe experience. As the bridge between your head and the water, these slender little fellows play a key role in filtering your smoke and making your experience as smooth — and as tasty — as possible.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and completeness. wikiHow’s content management team carefully oversees our editorial team’s work to ensure that every article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 213,249 times.

Article overview

X

To separate 2 cooking bowls that are stuck together, all you need is some water and ice. First, fill your sink with hot water, being careful not to spill anything in the top bowl. Put some ice cubes in the top bowl and wait 10 minutes. The temperature difference will cause the top bowl to contract, allowing you to peel it off. You can also try separating the shells with cooking oil. Just put a few drops of cooking oil in the gap between the bowls. Wait about 30 seconds to allow the oil to drip through the gap, then gently twist the shells in opposite directions to pull them apart. For tips on using an oil spray to separate your cookware, read on!

CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS OF A STANDING DOWNSTEM IN A BONG OR BUBBLER

OK, let’s be honest. How many of you really clean your bong after every single session?

Ok, how many of you completely remove the dip tube every time you clean your tube or beaker bong?

If you still have your hand raised, great! But unfortunately you are probably one of the few. Most bongs, bubblers, pipes, and stoned dab rigs might need a deep clean every five, ten, or fifty sessions.

Even when downstems are removable, they are often ignored as long as they work. But long before resin buildup causes a problem with percolation, it may have already caused a problem further up the stem.

MY DOWNSTEM HANGS – HOW DID THIS HAPPEN

It doesn’t take a lot of sticky residue building up between the connector on your glass bong and the glass tube that sits inside it to cause the tube to stick.

During regular use of your bong or bubbler, there will be some degree of heat transfer between your glass bowl or slide and the glass hinge and base. This heat can activate and reactivate resin buildup in the area, creating a dangerously tight seal that can prevent you from removing the downtube without fear of breaking one of the glass pieces.

Ironically, another common cause of a stuck or jammed glass base often occurs after you’ve done the right thing by frequently cleaning your glass bong or bubbler and removing the base to clean it separately.

What can cause a problem is if the glass hinge on the bong or bubbler and the outer surface of the glass base are not thoroughly dried before replacing. Even if both are perfectly clean, residual moisture can form a difficult seal that makes removal a nerve-wracking event.

The third most common cause of a stuck stem is when it’s pinched down through accidental contact with a table, elbow, lighter, or anything else you can really think of.

DOWNSTEM STILL HOLDS – WHAT NOW

We’ve been asking what to do on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and more, and here are a handful of methods we’ve devised to loosen a stuck bottom on your favorite glass bong or bubbler.

METHOD 1: LINE OF HOT WATER

Start by trying to run the hottest tap water from your sink directly over the area where the downspout enters the bong or bubbler. If your hand can temporarily withstand the temperature of the water, reach in and press firmly (but gently) on the sides of the exposed portion of the dip tube, gently trying to twist and pull. With a bit of luck, this combination of heat and water lubrication will suffice.

METHOD 2: KILL IT WITH FIRE

If the down tube is still stuck due to resin you can try your dab burner or a triple flame burner. Simply use the tip of your flashlight flame to apply fast-moving heat to the affected area. You should not hold the flame against the glass for a long time as you could damage the glass. If there is visible resin or regrind deposits you will see it begin to activate from the heat.

Knowing that the torch will get the glass tube hot, use a potholder or heat resistant gloves to try the same technique as above, carefully trying to twist the tube up and out of the bong while the debris is still cook a little .

METHOD 3: SCIENCE!

If the dirt has caked so badly that these two methods haven’t even left a dent, don’t give up just yet! There are some great glass cleaners on the market today like Dark Crystal, Grunge Off or Formula 420. Simply fill your bong’s water chamber to the point where the dip tube and pivot come in contact with the cleaning solution and let it soak.

With any luck, the crap will clear up and within 24-48 hours you should be able to gently twist and pull your underbridge to freedom.

METHOD 4: TAP, TAP, TAP

If your stem is stuck due to moisture being trapped between two pieces of glass, the ideas above (hot water, tip of the torch) may come in handy. But another option is raised often enough by those who know things we think you should know, too.

It sounds a bit strange at first, but bear with us. You need a large spoon, preferably made of wood. Some people wrap the spoon in a towel, others use it bare, but the idea is to gently tap the head of the spoon around the joint where the spar is stuck.

Surprisingly, the subtle vibration from the spoon’s impact can be just enough to shake loose a seemingly stuck stem, and this simple yet effective technique has saved many stoned bongs and daily driver bubblers from being scrapped.

METHOD 5: LAST RESORT

One final trick that comes in handy when a substructure is just a little binding is to find a pair of pliers with the rubberized grips. You don’t want to force metal onto glass, but the soft rubber grips allow you to grip the base’s neck right where it meets the bong or bubbler’s glass joint. If this is the case, slowly and carefully tilt the head of the pliers down, creating leverage to (hopefully) lift the fork tube up/out.

Of course, all of these methods require extreme caution so you don’t damage your glass or yourself.

Not every situation has an easy fix, but based on the causes we discussed above, these tips and tricks could result in the down tube coming off.

If you’ve managed to loosen things up enough to get your underpinnings out, congratulations, not everyone is so lucky. If not, hopefully it will continue to work until it stops working. Just clean it up as best you can with the trunk and keep going!

Thorough cleaning and drying of your downstem and your bong, bubbler or dab rig can often go a long way towards prevention.

At The Dab Lab we stock a wide range of scientific glass bongs and bubblers as well as some seriously intoxicating and affordable glass pieces, many of which have the useful option of a detachable base.

If you’ve recently had to pull a piece back due to a jammed joint, you’re sure to find a new favorite at TheDabLab.com – your one-stop shop for all smoking and smoking needs.

Because the bottom of a bong is closest to the bowl, it traps a lot of sticky resin and can clog quickly. It is recommended to clean your downstem regularly to ensure a great smoking experience every time. In this article I will show you an easy way to clean a downstem.

The following items are required:

90% isopropyl alcohol; or cleaning solution

Coarse/fine salts

Medium Ziploc bag

pipe cleaner

1) Submerge the down tube

Fill the Ziploc bag or food container with Iso+Salt solution. Soak the base for an hour. This allows resins to be broken down for easy cleaning later.

Other options:

Consider replacing regular tap water with formulated water like Resolution. It will keep your bottom and bongs as clean as the day you bought them.

2. Brush and scrub down tube

Use a small brush and scrub off any stubborn sap left on the inner and outer walls of the down tube.

3. Rinse and dry

Thoroughly rinse the fork tube with hot water to remove any remaining dirt and alcohol. Let it dry completely before putting the stem back into the bong.

Bonus: It might be worth investing in a pair of cleaning gloves as they have a better grip when cleaning the glass.

Alternatives to bong water

Finally, for future smoke sessions, consider replacing regular tap water with scientifically formulated bong water like Piece Water® Solution or Toke Tonic.

These bong water alternatives are a great way to not only reduce resin buildup in your glass bongs, but also improve your overall cannabis smoking experience. Now that the substructure is clean. Let’s briefly talk about why we need to clean the down tube?

As resin builds up in the downstem, it starts to reduce the number of bubbles and the draws wouldn’t be as smooth. There is a chance the downstem could get stuck in a bong. It’s a frustrating experience.

Looking for a smoother, more durable and healthier bong? VITAE Glass is perfect for you. It is specially designed for daily and busy smokers.

Check out our other popular blogs:

The best places to smoke in Los Angeles

Can you put your bong in the dishwasher?

The best places to smoke in San Francisco

All other blogs

This article was written by Ashton Leow, a cannabis and soccer enthusiast

April 20, 2018 Written by SHANNON GOFF

How to: Determine Common Gender and Size

While all of DHC’s jars come with their own head joint or nail/dome combination, there may be times when you want to personalize your bong or rig, want to purchase an adapter for additional perc, or the head breaks or cracks from use. In this case, it is important to know the common gender and size of your smoking accessories.

You may already know the difference between male and female joints… but if you don’t, that’s okay too! Bongs, bowls, ash catchers, adapters, nails – all of these have a gender, which is why it is crucial to be able to differentiate between male and female smoking accessories.

Take a look at your go-to bong. If the joint you put your head on ends up tapering and you have to put accessories over it, then it’s a male. This means that shell parts, domes, nails or other adapters must be female. Smoking devices like rigs designed for legal concentrates or oils work best with male joints.

If your smoking device has a joint that has a slightly wider opening and requires fitting accessories into it instead of over it, it is female and any additional fittings should be male. Most conventional hookahs designed primarily for dry legal herb or tobacco will be female.

Just think about basic anatomy or sex education classes and you should be able to guess which is which. man walks into woman; Female glides over male. light enough.

Before you pick up your new bowl piece or nail, there’s one more thing you need to be sure of: joint size. Luckily, there are only three common sizes to worry about.

These are commonly referred to as mini or nano joints and are typically found on pendulum systems and other small pipes designed for legal concentrates. 10mm joint sizes are probably the easiest to spot since they are super small.

This connection size is very common in standard water pipes, especially small to medium sized ones. To see if your joint size is 14mm, take a dime and hold it over the end of your pipe or headjoint, whichever is female. 14mm joints are slightly smaller than a dime, so if the dime doesn’t fit, the joint is most likely 14mm long. However, if the joint is significantly smaller, you may have a 10mm joint on your hands.

Also common are 18mm joint sizes, which are generally used on larger devices such as straight tubes or beakers. This size provides optimal airflow and can be identified using a similar dime method. If you can fit a dime through the female joint of your whistle or bowl, it’s 18mm.

While these are the standards for smoking accessories, there are ways to change both the gender and size of your favorite smoking device. Glass adapters and dropdowns can be found with a few simple keyboard swipes and for typically less than $5, allowing you to not only convert a female joint into a male, but also convert your 18mm head joint bong into a 10mm. Transform rig with nails.

1

Looking to replace the bottom of your bong? Before you do this, you need to determine the width, length, and joints you need. Lucky for you, it’s not that difficult! We at DankStop will accompany you.

Measure the inner chamber of the bong

Insert a pencil (or any straight object) into the opening of the female cut until it is about ½ inch from the bottom. Mark the point where the object leaves the joint.

Measure the object

Get a ruler or tape measure and determine the length from the mark to the pasted end of the object. The number you find is the approximate measurement between the joint and the base, which is also the length of the sub-frame needed. Make sure the substructure you receive is no longer than this measurement, otherwise it will put pressure on itself.

Measure the joint

If you haven’t already, use the same measuring tool to determine the width of the female joint. The joint sizes of most commercial bongs are a uniform 10, 14, and 18 millimeters, with 14 and 18 being the most common. If you don’t have access to a measuring tool, you can grab a dime and see if it fits the opening. If so, then your joint is 18mm long. If not, it’s 14mm, or possibly 10mm. You want to make sure the joint you receive is EXACTLY one of these sizes: wider joints obviously won’t fit, and narrower joints won’t create the airtight seal you need.

Choose a new Downstem

Based on your measurements you can now search for a new downstem. You can find the length and width you want by shopping online head shops. The down tube you choose will also depend on the type of male head you intend to use. Like joints, glass bowls come in 10, 14 and 18mm, so you’ll need to make sure your new bottom fits your bowl. Downstems have a joint for the head and another for connecting to the pipe. Downstems come in 14mm to 14mm, 18mm to 18mm, 14mm to 18mm, and 18 to 14mm.

With medical marijuana and the outright legalization of marijuana sweeping the country, more people are smoking today than ever before. The quality, durability and innovation of smoking devices has never been greater. That means it’s a great time to upgrade your bong, bubbler or hookah. One of the easiest and most helpful ways to upgrade your bong is to invest in a new downstem. Here are a few tips to help you find the right foundation for you.

What is a downstem?

So what is a downstem and why is it so important to choose the right one? The downstem is a tube that extends into the main chamber of your bong and allows the smoke to be drawn in. Downstems essentially act as a bridge between the bowl containing your cannabis and the water in your bong. They are either fixed and immovable in the bong, or they are removable and connect to the outside joint of your bong. Here are a few reasons to make sure you’re getting the right stem

Why is it important to get the right downstem?

It’s expensive to keep replacing them

Inferior downstems break easily

It may be too long or too short and will not fit

With the right downstem, you’ll get a smoother, better, and more consistent shot

Choose the right diameter for your downstem

Choosing the right downstem for you depends on the bong or water pipe you are using. Every bong has a small opening, called a joint, into which the dip tube is inserted. The diameter of this joint will determine the diameter required for your new substructure. Conveniently, there are three main diameters that are used on pretty much every bong, water pipe, or rig. Simply find out the diameter of the joint on your bong and then find the right coupler.

What are the common diameters for downstems?

10mm for mini bongs

14mm

18mm

Choose the right length for your downstem

While the diameter of your new stem is incredibly important, so is the length. Downstems come in many different lengths as there are many different types of bongs that they fit in. Remember that the dip tube must reach below the waterline to allow the smoke to bubble through the water. A good way to find out how long your substructure needs to be is to insert a pencil into the joint. Stop just before it touches the side or bottom of the bong and mark with the pencil. Pull out the pencil and measure to the mark to find the perfect length of shaft for your bong.

What kind of bong or water pipe do you have?

beaker bong

Round base bong

Straight pipe bong

mini bong

High bong

blower

How to measure a downstem

The trick to choosing the right stem length comes down to how you measure it. The best way to measure your substructure is from the bottom of the cut to the bottom of the substructure. The cut is the slightly wider part near the tip of the forearm that tapers slightly. This part plugs into the joint of your bong. This measurement will help you see how much of the down tube is actually going into the bong.

Choose the right material for your downstem

Next it is important to choose the right material for your stem. Some people choose to keep their down tube the same material as their bong to match. Others tend to look for a downtube material that increases durability. Glass and ceramic downspouts tend to break fairly easily, meaning you may need to replace them frequently. Silicone downspouts are unbreakable, but they’re also incredibly difficult to clean and retain the smell. By choosing a strong metal or aluminum material, you ensure your downstem will last longer than your bong.

Common downstem materials include:

Glass

silicone

plastic

pottery

metal

aluminum

titanium

percolators and diffusers

The main purpose of the downstem is to get smoke into the main chamber of your bong where it diffuses and seeps through the water before reaching you. A good tip when buying a new downstem is to look for one that has an extra percolator or diffuser at the end. The added percolation helps filter and cool the smoke, creating the perfect silky smooth hit.

Get the best downstems at Ace-Labz

If you are looking for a durable base that adjusts to almost any diameter and length, then it’s time to check out the unbreakable Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Base from Ace-Labz. The Titan-Stem 3.0 is available in eight different colors including black, blue and red to match the style and color of any bong. The adjustable length and multiple attachments means this base will fit the 14mm and 18mm main joints of most bongs on the market. The best part is the virtually unbreakable anodized aircraft-grade aluminum that the Titan-Stem 3.0 is made from. These incredible downstems also work well with the unbreakable Titan Bowl.

To learn more about their incredible bongs and bong accessories, including the Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Unbreakable Downstem, visit Ace-Labz. Our expertly crafted downstems, titanium bowls, grinders and more are among the most durable and coolest looking products around. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram for our latest news and offers. You can also follow our helpful blog for more tips and tricks.

What is a downstem?

A downstem is the long tubular piece of glass that connects your bong head to the main water chamber of your glass bong. By creating an airtight seal between the glass pieces, it facilitates the suction pressure needed to pull the smoke down from your headpiece into the water chamber as you inhale. Without them, your smoke would simply rise through your piece without going through the water first.

These pieces of glass can be detachable or attached to the piece. Fixed downstems are built directly into your piece and connected to your percolator. While it’s one less part to worry about, if it breaks you can’t replace it as easily as you can with the downstem removed.

Measure for a downstem

When buying a new stem you need to know two things: joint size and joint length. These are the two standard measurements that head shops use when selling. Downstem sizes come in the same way as joint sizes, in the standard 14mm, 18mm and the less common 10mm for mini rigs. If you need to figure out your joint size, check out our simple guide here. All it takes is a dime and you can find your joint size in seconds.

To determine the required length, we recommend the pencil method. Just grab a pencil or pen, your bong, and some sort of ruler, and you’re all set. The length of the stem is measured from the bottom of the frosted joint to the bottom of the stem as photographed below. Usually the bong joint is also matted to make it easier for you to determine where to start measuring.

Once the pen is far enough in the water chamber, carefully remove it and measure the required length with a ruler.

types of downstems

There are several types of downstem that go beyond your basic natural downstem. Just like bongs have percs, some downstems called diffuse downstems have the ability to break up your smoke. Some may have tiny slots like a tree perc, others have holes like a honeycomb perc. Although they all serve the same purpose of helping your smoke travel

Downstems can also act as adapters! You see this most often on 18mm pipes that come with a low profile 14mm/18mm downstem, meaning they will fit an 18mm joint, but a 14mm -Use a header or a slider. 14mm is the most common size of headstock. So unless you have a specific 18mm sled that you’re really into, we recommend using the LoPro downstem.

1

Looking to replace the bottom of your bong? Before you do this, you need to determine the width, length, and joints you need. Lucky for you, it’s not that difficult! We at DankStop will accompany you.

Measure the inner chamber of the bong

Insert a pencil (or any straight object) into the opening of the female cut until it is about ½ inch from the bottom. Mark the point where the object leaves the joint.

Measure the object

Get a ruler or tape measure and determine the length from the mark to the pasted end of the object. The number you find is the approximate measurement between the joint and the base, which is also the length of the sub-frame needed. Make sure the substructure you receive is no longer than this measurement, otherwise it will put pressure on itself.

Measure the joint

If you haven’t already, use the same measuring tool to determine the width of the female joint. The joint sizes of most commercial bongs are a uniform 10, 14, and 18 millimeters, with 14 and 18 being the most common. If you don’t have access to a measuring tool, you can grab a dime and see if it fits the opening. If so, then your joint is 18mm long. If not, it’s 14mm, or possibly 10mm. You want to make sure the joint you receive is EXACTLY one of these sizes: wider joints obviously won’t fit, and narrower joints won’t create the airtight seal you need.

Choose a new Downstem

Based on your measurements you can now search for a new downstem. You can find the length and width you want by shopping online head shops. The down tube you choose will also depend on the type of male head you intend to use. Like joints, glass bowls come in 10, 14 and 18mm, so you’ll need to make sure your new bottom fits your bowl. Downstems have a joint for the head and another for connecting to the pipe. Downstems come in 14mm to 14mm, 18mm to 18mm, 14mm to 18mm, and 18 to 14mm.

Downstems are the fragile part of your bong that extends into the pipe and creates that all-important airflow into the water that a hookah needs to do its job. Unfortunately, downstems can break. But no fear. When your daily driver spills something and needs a new part, we’re here to help you determine underbody size and length in a few simple steps.

This is how Downstems work. First you need to understand the size of the ground joint. Joints are used in a set consisting of the male inner part (tapered end, ground outside) and the female outer part (internal ground to the appropriate dimension). Their dimensions are given in millimeters.

Ideally, you want to find a ruler. If you don’t have one, a new pencil is about 7 inches or 200mm long. A cent is about 19 mm wide. You need a pencil and a dime. Look for both in your couch pillows. Take the old downstem of your hookah and set it aside for now.

If you can slip a penny over your bong’s female joint and it won’t slide in, then it’s a 14mm joint. If it can slide into the hole then it’s an 18mm or 19mm joint. Even if you can’t put a pencil in the hole, then it’s a 10mm joint.

Once you have the downstem size you will need the length. Slide a pencil into the female joint of your whistle and mark the depth of the downstem on the pencil. This is the overall length of the downstem, but downstems lengths are quoted excluding the length of the joint. The cut is usually about 1 inch long, so subtract that from the length of the pencil mark. What’s left is your downstem length. It may sound complicated, but we promise it’s not!

With medical marijuana and the outright legalization of marijuana sweeping the country, more people are smoking today than ever before. The quality, durability and innovation of smoking devices has never been greater. That means it’s a great time to upgrade your bong, bubbler or hookah. One of the easiest and most helpful ways to upgrade your bong is to invest in a new downstem. Here are a few tips to help you find the right foundation for you.

What is a downstem?

So what is a downstem and why is it so important to choose the right one? The downstem is a tube that extends into the main chamber of your bong and allows the smoke to be drawn in. Downstems essentially act as a bridge between the bowl containing your cannabis and the water in your bong. They are either fixed and immovable in the bong, or they are removable and connect to the outside joint of your bong. Here are a few reasons to make sure you’re getting the right stem

Why is it important to get the right downstem?

It’s expensive to keep replacing them

Inferior downstems break easily

It may be too long or too short and will not fit

With the right downstem, you’ll get a smoother, better, and more consistent shot

Choose the right diameter for your downstem

Choosing the right downstem for you depends on the bong or water pipe you are using. Every bong has a small opening, called a joint, into which the dip tube is inserted. The diameter of this joint will determine the diameter required for your new substructure. Conveniently, there are three main diameters that are used on pretty much every bong, water pipe, or rig. Simply find out the diameter of the joint on your bong and then find the right coupler.

What are the common diameters for downstems?

10mm for mini bongs

14mm

18mm

Choose the right length for your downstem

While the diameter of your new stem is incredibly important, so is the length. Downstems come in many different lengths as there are many different types of bongs that they fit in. Remember that the dip tube must reach below the waterline to allow the smoke to bubble through the water. A good way to find out how long your substructure needs to be is to insert a pencil into the joint. Stop just before it touches the side or bottom of the bong and mark with the pencil. Pull out the pencil and measure to the mark to find the perfect length of shaft for your bong.

What kind of bong or water pipe do you have?

beaker bong

Round base bong

Straight pipe bong

mini bong

High bong

blower

How to measure a downstem

The trick to choosing the right stem length comes down to how you measure it. The best way to measure your substructure is from the bottom of the cut to the bottom of the substructure. The cut is the slightly wider part near the tip of the forearm that tapers slightly. This part plugs into the joint of your bong. This measurement will help you see how much of the down tube is actually going into the bong.

Choose the right material for your downstem

Next it is important to choose the right material for your stem. Some people choose to keep their down tube the same material as their bong to match. Others tend to look for a downtube material that increases durability. Glass and ceramic downspouts tend to break fairly easily, meaning you may need to replace them frequently. Silicone downspouts are unbreakable, but they’re also incredibly difficult to clean and retain the smell. By choosing a strong metal or aluminum material, you ensure your downstem will last longer than your bong.

Common downstem materials include:

Glass

silicone

plastic

pottery

metal

aluminum

titanium

percolators and diffusers

The main purpose of the downstem is to get smoke into the main chamber of your bong where it diffuses and seeps through the water before reaching you. A good tip when buying a new downstem is to look for one that has an extra percolator or diffuser at the end. The added percolation helps filter and cool the smoke, creating the perfect silky smooth hit.

Get the best downstems at Ace-Labz

If you are looking for a durable base that adjusts to almost any diameter and length, then it’s time to check out the unbreakable Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Base from Ace-Labz. The Titan-Stem 3.0 is available in eight different colors including black, blue and red to match the style and color of any bong. The adjustable length and multiple attachments means this base will fit the 14mm and 18mm main joints of most bongs on the market. The best part is the virtually unbreakable anodized aircraft-grade aluminum that the Titan-Stem 3.0 is made from. These incredible downstems also work well with the unbreakable Titan Bowl.

To learn more about their incredible bongs and bong accessories, including the Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Unbreakable Downstem, visit Ace-Labz. Our expertly crafted downstems, titanium bowls, grinders and more are among the most durable and coolest looking products around. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram for our latest news and offers. You can also follow our helpful blog for more tips and tricks.

A bong without a downstem is just a bottle with a hole.

Pretty useless, right? A downspout is an essential piece of glass that fits into a water pipe connection. Basically, it makes everything possible.

Downstems work to convey smoke from the slide (or headjoint) into your glass pipe’s water chamber to filter and cool each draw. Downstems come in a variety of different sizes and lengths, so it’s imperative to know what you need before you buy.

Before you pull the trigger on your purchase read our knowledge base article on joint sizes and gender, we’d hate if you bought the wrong stem!

Downstems feature an additional measurement not relevant to other glass accessories – length. When measuring the length of your downstem, be sure to start at the bottom of the sandblasted segment and work your way to the bottom, past the diffuser. Measuring the entire length of the glass accessory will give you an inaccurate length and you may purchase an incompatible downstem.

Downstems are made with many different percolators that offer excellent percolation and allow smokers to customize their favorite bongs. Looking to replace your classic slotted downstem? We have different sizes for each hookah.

Looking to upgrade to a downstem with tree arm percs or a shower head? We also have these and many more!