Ash Catchers for Glass Water Bongs and Dab Rigs

If you're into glass bongs or dab rigs, there's a good chance you've heard of ash catchers. Maybe you’ve even seen them in some unique pieces at your local head shop or online browsing new arrivals. But what exactly do they do, and are they worth adding to your setup?

Short answer—yep, they’re awesome. Ash catchers are that perfect addition that gives you a smoother smoking experience, keeps your main chamber cleaner, and even adds some aesthetic appeal to your favorite bong. But let’s break it all down and see why these little add-ons deserve a place in your collection.

So.... What is an Ash Catcher?

At its core, an ash catcher is a small attachment that connects to your bong or rig. It sits between your bowl and the main water chamber, and its main job is to trap ash, particulate matter, and all the gunk that would otherwise end up in your piece.

Think of it like a lil’ pre-filter for your bong. And if you’ve ever dealt with a dirty bong (we all have, let’s be real), you already know that keeping things clean can be a pain. That’s where ash catchers come in clutch—they reduce how often you need to deep clean your entire setup.

Types of Ash Catchers

Not all ash catchers are made the same. Depending on your setup and what you’re smoking—legal dry herb, dabs, or whatever—you’ve got options. Let’s look at the most common types out there today.

1. Dry Ash Catcher

A dry ash catcher is the simplest kind. No water involved—just a simple design meant to collect ash and prevent it from falling into your main water chamber. Super easy to clean, super lightweight.

Best for: Daily driver setups where you want easier cleaning without changing the draw too much.

2. Water Ash Catchers

These ash catchers have their own little water chamber that adds extra water filtration before smoke even hits your bong. They can cool the smoke and remove more impurities for a smoother hit. If you’re chasing that cool smoke, this is the move. This style of ash catcher will usually include a percolator setup of some sort. 

Best for: Bigger sessions, frequent cleaning avoidance, and people who care flavour seriously.

Different Percolator Styles

You can totally nerd out on ash catchers once you dive into the world of different percolator styles. They affect airflow, powerful filtration, and overall smoothness.

•    Showerhead Ash Catcher – Uses a vertical slitted tube to create tons of small bubbles. Showerhead percolators are known for great diffusion and smooth hits.

•    Honeycomb Ash Catchers – Flat disc with tons of small holes. Amazing for cleaner smoke and great airflow.

•    Tree Perc Ash Catchers – Features multiple arms, usually 4 to 8, that filter smoke through slits. These arm tree percolators look cool and work great.

•    Inline Ash catchers – Horizontal tubes with slits. Sleek unique design and great for bigger bongs.

•    Recycler Ash Catcher – Recycles water within the ash catcher itself. Good for extra level of filtration and super smooth rips.

Matching Your Ash Catcher to Your Bong

Before you run out and grab a new ash catcher, it is imperative that you focus on an appropriate fit. There’s a bit of a science to it, but nothing too wild.

1. Joint Size and Gender

Ash catchers usually come in 14mm or 18mm ash catcher options. Most standard ash catchers fall into one of those, but please always double-check what your favourite water pipes requires. An ash catcher slips directly into a down stem and the size will be identical to the original flower bowl provided with the bong. 

Next it is time to pay attention to whether it’s a male or female joint. Male is the most common style of joint with the ash catcher slotting into the down stem. A female joint slips over the top of the down stem. 

2. Joint Angle

Yep, angle matters too. You'll usually see a 45 degree ash catcher or a 90 degree ash catcher. This refers to the degree angle of the connection point. A down stem that sits at an angle down will require a 45 degree attachment point whilst a 90 degree option will work best with a "banger hanger" setup (as in the photo). You can use any angle if you are in a pinch but it may not be efficient and it may not be as safe. 

Pro tip: Beaker bongs usually work better with 45°, while straight-tube bongs often match better with 90° setups.

Sizes and Shapes

Ash catchers come in various sizes, various shapes, and even various colours if you’re trying to match your piece. You’ll find smaller ash catchers that don’t weigh down your bong too much, or larger ones that pack more water and filtration. There are also ash catchers specifically designed for dab rigs that "reclaim" your herbal material allowing you access within. 

Just be careful not to overload your piece. Too much weight or awkward angles can tip your glass over or put stress on the joint. Always think about proper size and balance.

Why You Might Want One

Let’s be real—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in the cannabis consumption world. But if you’re someone who cares about the taste/purity of your smoke, hates cleaning, or just loves adding unique pieces to your glass collection, an ash catcher is kinda a no-brainer.

Here’s what they help with:

•    Cleaner smoke – Traps ash and contaminants (a portion) before they hit your lungs.
•    Smoother smoking experience – Especially if you add a percolator-style one.
•    Less cleaning – Your favourite bong stays in pristine condition way longer.
•    Easier maintenance – No more scrubbing your whole piece after every sesh.
•    Aesthetic appeal – Let’s not lie... they just look cool.

Proper Maintenance Tips

Even though ash catchers reduce bong grime, they still need proper maintenance themselves. Resin builds up fast if you don’t stay on it.

Basic cleaning routine:

1.   Empty out the water after every few uses. Or go crazy, after each use!
2.   Rinse with warm water to break up light resin.
3.   For deeper cleans, use isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt—same as you would with                your bong. Rinse and rinse with hot water. 
4.   Let it fully dry before the next sesh.

And yeah, we know cleaning sucks, but a cleaner smoke is just better all around. Plus, your lungs will thank you.

Ash Catchers for Dab Rigs

Okay, so you’re into dab rigs more than flower? No worries, ash catchers can work for you too—though they’re less common.

For dabs, you’ll want to make sure you’re not messing with the balance of your rig or adding unnecessary water weight. But if you’re hitting both dry herb vaporizers and dabs out of a dual-use rig, an ash catcher can still help keep things tidy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•    Wrong joint size or angle – Double-check your measurements, or you’ll end up with          an unusable accessory.
•    Too heavy – Can tip your bong over or stress the joint.
•    Skipping cleaning – Dirty ash catchers don’t work well. Clean it regularly.
•    Using the wrong type for your setup – Don’t throw a heavy percolator on a mini                bong and expect balance.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re rocking a daily driver, a fancy beaker bong, or just want to step up your smoke game, ash catchers are one of the best additions you can make. They deliver a smoother hit, help preserve the taste of your smoke, and save your lungs from junk that would normally end up in the main chamber.

They come in all the styles—from tree perc ash catchers to showerhead ash catchers, from simple designs to full-on art pieces. Whatever you’re into, there's a right ash catcher out there for you.

So go ahead—explore the latest drops, browse those unique designs, and find that next level piece that completes your setup. And next time your homie compliments your bong, you’ll know exactly why your hits are smoother, your water's cleaner, and your sessions are just a little more chill.