How to properly measure a downstem for a Bong Water Pipe

How to Measure a Glass Downstem for a Water Bong

We get asked this question allot here at ShatterKitchen.com so we wrote up this article to help you find that perfect size for your bong.

Water pipes or water bongs are one of the most popular smoking devices out there. The system is simple: smoke passes through water before it is inhaled. The benefit is that many toxins and particle pollution are removed in the process. It has been observed in studies that using a water bong can reduce exposure to carcinogens that are found in smoke. Also note that inhaling through a water bong reduces irritation in the airways because water cools the smoke. This makes it easier to inhale the smoke as well.

In this article, you will learn how to measure a glass downstem for a water bong.

Measurement Method

Measuring a glass down stem for a water bong requires a fair amount of knowledge, because these components come in varying lengths and diameters, and making the perfect choice for your pipe becomes a bit difficult. You need to know the length and also the diameter.

Some of the most common glass downstem sizes are as follows:

• 14/18
• 18/18

The first number means that 14mm is the slide joint while 18mm is the ground joint. The second size is 18mm for both slide and ground joints. But how does one measure length? There are 2 approaches used by manufacturers.

Some prefer to measure from the top of the ground joint to the bottom of the stem, i.e. when there is no diffuser, otherwise they measure from the top to the diffuser. Other manufacturers, however, measure from the bottom of the ground joint to the bottom of the stem, i.e. in the absence of a diffuser. Sometimes, the joint has an “open-end” tip, which is also known as non-diffuser. But technically, it still provides some level of diffusion.

We here at shatterkitchen measure from the bottom of the grounded joint to the tip of the downstem. ( So we only measure the clear glass, not the joint itself. )

Measuring from the Bottom of the Ground Joint

Step #1-Insert a Straight Object into the Ground Joint

The first step is to take a straight object (like a pencil) and insert it into the ground joint. But make sure to keep it ½ inch from the bottom of the glass stem.

Step #2- Make a Marking

In order to correctly measure the length of the downstem, you need to mark the straight object that you inserted in the opening of the joint at the point where it comes out of the ground joint.

Step #3-Use a Ruler to Measure the Straight Object

Finally, remove the straight object from inside the ground joint and measure the length from the tip of the object to the mark you made in step #2. This will determine the length of your glass downstem. Simple as that!

This method is the more preferred for measuring downstem length. Whichever method you use, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. For instance, the slide joint should match the joint on your bowl, which is also known as “precooler”. And of course, the ground joint should match the joint on your water bong.

Hopefully this article will help you find the right downstem for your water bong.