Collection: Ash Catchers

An ash catcher collects debris in a separate chamber before it reaches your bong's main water chamber. This helps limit ash buildup and makes routine maintenance easier, although your bong will still need regular cleaning.

Dry ash catchers operate without water, while percolated ash catchers use water to provide additional diffusion.

Start by identifying your bong's joint size. Common connections include 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. Your ash catcher's lower joint must fit your bong, while its upper joint must fit your bowl.

Joint angle matters too. Many beaker bongs use 45° connections, while straight-tube bongs commonly use 90° connections. Check your actual joint orientation rather than relying on the bong's shape alone.

Dry ash catchers collect debris without requiring water, making them a convenient option for keeping your bong cleaner with relatively little added maintenance.

Percolated ash catchers use water and built-in percolators to provide additional smoke diffusion. Popular designs include honeycomb, showerhead, tree, and recycler ash catchers.

Choose a dry ash catcher if your priority is debris collection and simplicity. Choose a percolated model if you prefer additional diffusion and don't mind maintaining another water chamber.

Yes. Larger or heavier ash catchers can shift your bong's center of gravity, especially when attached to smaller water pipes.

Consider the attachment's weight, height, and how far it extends from your bong. A lightweight ash catcher is generally a more practical choice for compact setups, while a stable, wide-based bong can accommodate a wider range of attachments.

Yes, in most cases, as long as the ash catcher's upper joint matches your bowl's joint size and gender.

For example, a 14mm male bowl fits into a 14mm female joint on an ash catcher. The ash catcher's lower connection must separately fit your bong.

Some ash catchers have different connection sizes on each end, so always check both joints before buying.

Before buying an ash catcher, identify your bong's joint size, gender, and angle to ensure the attachment fits correctly.

1. Measure Your Joint Size

Bong joints commonly come in 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm sizes. To identify yours, use a ruler or caliper to measure the opening of a female joint or the outside diameter of a male joint at the ground-glass connection.

• 10mm: Approximately 3/8 inch, typically found on smaller water pipes.
• 14mm: Approximately 9/16 inch, a common size for everyday bongs.
• 18mm: Approximately 3/4 inch, commonly found on larger water pipes.

These are nominal sizes, so measurements may vary slightly.

2. Identify Male or Female Joints

• Female Joint: The connection has an opening that accepts a male fitting.
• Male Joint: The connection extends outward and inserts into a female fitting.

Most bongs with removable male bowls have a female joint. Your ash catcher's lower connection needs the opposite gender to fit.

3. Check Your Joint Angle

• 45° Joint: Extends diagonally from the bong, commonly found on beaker-style water pipes.
• 90° Joint: Typically extends horizontally from the bong, commonly found on straight-tube designs.

Choose an ash catcher with an angle that allows it to sit upright when attached to your bong.

Helpful Tip: Remove your bowl and measure the joint itself, not the bowl's outer rim or handle. If you're unsure, a digital caliper provides a more accurate measurement than estimating by eye.