If you are a fan of glass bongs, you know how important it is to have the right bowl and downstem for your smoking experience. A bowl is the part of the bong where you pack your herb or tobacco, and a downstem is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber of the bong. The bowl and downstem work together to deliver smooth and filtered hits, but they also affect the airflow, flavor, and efficiency of your bong. Choosing the wrong bowl or downstem can ruin your session, so here are some tips on how to pick the best ones for your glass bong.
What are the types of bowls and downstems?
There are different types of bowls and downstems available for glass bongs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common ones are:
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Standard bowls
: These are simple bowls that fit into a rubber grommet or a metal slider on the bong. They are easy to use and cheap, but they can get clogged easily and have less airflow than glass on glass bowls. -
Glass on glass bowls
: These are bowls that fit into a glass joint on the bong, creating an airtight seal. They have better airflow and flavor than standard bowls, but they can be more expensive and fragile. -
Diffused downstems
: These are downstems that have slits or holes at the bottom, creating bubbles and increasing the surface area of the smoke in contact with water. This results in smoother and cooler hits, but also more drag and less efficiency. -
Showerhead downstems
: These are downstems that have a perforated disc at the bottom, creating a shower-like effect of bubbles. They have similar benefits as diffused downstems, but with less drag and more efficiency. -
Swiss downstems
: These are downstems that have holes along the sides, creating a swiss cheese-like effect of bubbles. They have similar benefits as showerhead downstems, but with more diffusion and less splashback. -
Adjustable downstems
: These are downstems that can be adjusted in length by sliding a tube inside another tube. They allow you to customize the water level and the distance between the bowl and the mouthpiece of your bong. -
Silicone downstems
: These are downstems made of silicone, a flexible and durable material. They are easy to clean and unbreakable, but they can affect the flavor and quality of the smoke.
How to measure the size of your bowl and downstem?
The size of your bowl and downstem is determined by two factors: the joint size and the length. The joint size is the diameter of the opening where the bowl or downstem fits into the bong. The length is the distance from the top of the joint to the bottom of the bowl or downstem. To measure these dimensions, you will need a ruler or a caliper.
The joint size is usually expressed in millimeters (mm), such as 10mm, 14mm, or 18mm. To measure it, you need to measure the inner diameter of the female joint on your bong, or the outer diameter of the male joint on your bowl or downstem. For example, if your bong has a female joint with an inner diameter of 14mm, you will need a bowl or downstem with a male joint with an outer diameter of 14mm.
The length is usually expressed in inches (in), such as 3in, 4in, or 5in. To measure it, you need to measure from the top edge of the joint to the bottom tip of the bowl or downstem. For example, if your bowl has a length of 3in, you will need a downstem with a length that matches or exceeds 3in.
How to choose the right size of your bowl and downstem?
The right size of your bowl and downstem depends on your personal preference and your bong’s design. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you make a good choice:
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Joint size
: You should always match the joint size of your bowl and downstem to your bong’s joint size, otherwise they won’t fit or seal properly. If you want to use a different joint size, you will need an adapter that converts one size to another. -
Length
: You should choose a length that allows your bowl to sit comfortably above the water level of your bong, and your downstem to submerge enough into the water to create bubbles. If your bowl is too low, it can get wet and waste your herb or tobacco. If your downstem is too short, it can create harsh and hot hits. If your downstem is too long, it can create too much drag and splashback.
A good way to find the ideal length of your downstem is to use the “pinky test”. Insert your pinky finger into the joint of your bong, and mark where the water level touches your finger. Then measure the distance from the mark to the top edge of the joint. This is the approximate length of the downstem you need.
How to choose the right type of your bowl and downstem?
The right type of your bowl and downstem depends on your smoking style and your bong’s function. However, there are some general factors that can help you decide:
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Bowl shape
: You should choose a bowl shape that suits the amount and type of herb or tobacco you want to smoke. Some common bowl shapes are funnel, cup, handle, diamond, and avocado. Funnel bowls are wide and deep, allowing you to pack more herb or tobacco and get bigger hits. Cup bowls are narrow and shallow, allowing you to pack less herb or tobacco and get smaller hits. Handle bowls have a handle or a knob that makes it easier to lift and remove the bowl from the bong. Diamond bowls have a faceted surface that reflects light and adds aesthetic appeal. Avocado bowls have a realistic avocado shape that adds fun and novelty. -
Bowl material
: You should choose a bowl material that affects the flavor and quality of the smoke. Some common bowl materials are glass, metal, ceramic, and silicone. Glass bowls are the most popular because they are inert and don’t alter the flavor or quality of the smoke. Metal bowls are durable and cheap, but they can get hot and affect the flavor of the smoke. Ceramic bowls are artistic and unique, but they can be fragile and expensive. Silicone bowls are unbreakable and easy to clean, but they can also affect the flavor of the smoke. -
Downstem diffusion
: You should choose a downstem diffusion that affects the smoothness and coolness of the hits. Some common downstem diffusions are slitted, showerhead, swiss, and fission. Slitted downstems have slits or holes at the bottom that create bubbles and increase the surface area of the smoke in contact with water. Showerhead downstems have a perforated disc at the bottom that creates a shower-like effect of bubbles. Swiss downstems have holes along the sides that create a swiss cheese-like effect of bubbles. Fission downstems have small holes along the tube that create tiny bubbles. -
Downstem adjustability
: You should choose a downstem adjustability that affects the customization and versatility of your bong. Some common downstem adjustabilities are fixed, extendible, and adjustable. Fixed downstems have a fixed length that can’t be changed. Extendible downstems have a telescopic design that allows you to extend or retract them by pulling or pushing them. Adjustable downstems have a sliding design that allows you to adjust them by sliding one tube inside another tube.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bowl and downstem for your glass bong can make a big difference in your smoking experience. By following these tips, you can find the best ones for your needs and preferences:
- Match the joint size of your bowl and downstem to your bong’s joint size.
- Choose a length that allows your bowl to sit above the water level and your downstem to submerge enough into the water.
- Choose a bowl shape that suits the amount and type of herb or tobacco you want to smoke.
- Choose a bowl material that affects the flavor and quality of the smoke.
- Choose a downstem diffusion that affects the smoothness and coolness of the hits.
- Choose a downstem adjustability that affects the customization and versatility of your bong.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn how to choose the right bowl and downstem for your glass bong. If you need more help or advice, feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information.
