Glass Bowl Slide Types Explained: Funnel, Handle, Screen and Multi-Hole
Updated October 2026 · Shatter Kitchen
A bowl slide is the removable glass piece that fits into your bong's joint or downstem, and the main styles are funnel, handle, built-in screen and multi-hole bowls. To pick one, first match the joint size (10mm, 14mm or 18mm) and make sure the slide is male if your joint or downstem is female. After that, the style is about how it handles, how easy it is to clear and how much you want it to hold.
What is a bowl slide?
On a glass-on-glass bong, the bowl is a separate piece with a ground glass joint on the bottom. It slides into the female joint on the bong itself, or into the top of a removable downstem. When you pull, you lift the bowl out to clear the chamber, which is why it is called a slide. The bowl you choose affects airflow, grip and cleanup, and a good one makes a big difference to an otherwise simple setup. If you are unsure how glass-on-glass joints work, start with glass-on-glass vs grommet bongs.
What are the different types of bowl slides?
| Style | What it is | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funnel | Cone shape with one hole at the bottom | Most people, easy to clear | Can pull small bits through without a screen |
| Handle | Any bowl with a glass handle on the side | Easy, cool-to-touch grip | Handle can snap if dropped |
| Built-in screen | Glass screen or several small holes in the base | Keeping debris out of the water | Holes clog and need regular cleaning |
| Multi-hole | Bowl with several holes, like a honeycomb | Even airflow | More cleaning, can feel restrictive |
| Large or deep | Extra capacity | Shared sessions | Heavier, can feel loose in small joints |
Funnel bowls
The funnel is the classic shape: a cone that narrows to one hole. It clears quickly and is easy to clean with a pipe cleaner. If you want to stop small pieces from going through, a glass or metal screen sits easily in the bottom.
Handle bowls
A handle is a feature rather than a separate shape. A glass knob or loop on the side gives you something to grab that stays cool and lets you lift the slide with one hand. Our Funnel Slide with Handle combines both, and it comes in 9.5mm, 12mm, 14.4mm and 18.8mm glass-on-glass sizes.
Screen bowls
Built-in screen bowls have a glass disc or a group of small holes at the base. They do the job of a separate screen, so nothing falls into your downstem. Clean them often, since tiny holes clog quickly.
Multi-hole bowls
Multi-hole and honeycomb bowls spread the airflow across several openings. Some people find the pull more even. They take a little more care to clean.
What size bowl slide do I need?
Bowl slides come in three main joint sizes. Most sellers, including us, list 14mm and 18mm by their measured widths, 14.4mm and 18.8mm. The quickest way to tell which you have is to measure across the outside of a male joint or the inside of a female joint.
For a full walkthrough with photos of each size, see how to measure a ground glass joint. You can also shop by size in our 14mm and 18mm joint collections.
Male or female: which bowl do I need?
Match the opposite gender. If the joint on your bong or the top of your downstem is female (the glass opening is on the inside), you need a male slide that fits inside it. Most bongs and downstems are female, so most bowls are male. If your joint is male, you need a female bowl that slides over it.
Does the bowl go in the bong or the downstem?
It depends on the piece. Bongs with a removable downstem take the bowl in the top of the stem. For example, our 18/14 Low Profile Slit Cut Diffuser Downstem fits into an 18.8mm female joint and takes a 14.4mm male slide. That is the most common setup, and it is why a 14mm slide fits so many bongs. Pieces with a fixed stem take the bowl directly in the joint. If your downstem is worn or the wrong length, read how to measure a downstem before ordering a new one.
Can I use a bowl with a different joint size?
Yes, with an adapter. A converter or reducer changes one joint size to another, such as an 18mm male to a 14mm female. Adapters add a little height and one more joint to keep clean. Our guide to drop downs, reducers and adapters covers the options, and you can browse them in our bowls and slides collection alongside the bowls themselves.
How do you keep a bowl slide clean?
Knock out the bowl after each use and push a pipe cleaner through the hole. Once a week or so, soak it in isopropyl alcohol with a little coarse salt, shake, and rinse with warm water. Clean the ground joint too, since buildup there makes the bowl stick. If a slide is stuck, let the piece reach room temperature and twist gently rather than pulling hard. An ash catcher also helps keep your bowl and downstem cleaner between washes; see what is an ash catcher.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What size bowl fits most bongs?
A 14mm male bowl fits the widest range, because most removable downstems take a 14mm slide. Larger bongs with an open 18mm joint need an 18mm bowl.
Is a 14mm bowl the same as 14.4mm?
Yes. 14mm is the common name and 14.4mm is the measured width of the joint. The same goes for 18mm and 18.8mm.
Do I need a male or female bowl?
Get the opposite of your joint. Most bongs and downstems have a female joint, so most people need a male bowl slide.
What is the best bowl slide type?
A funnel bowl suits most people because it clears easily and cleans quickly. Add a handle for grip, or pick a screen bowl to keep debris out of the water.
How do I get a stuck bowl out?
Let the glass reach room temperature, then twist gently while pulling. Clean the joint regularly so buildup does not glue the bowl in place.
Sold for legal use only. You must be 21 or older to purchase.