What Is a Drop Down? Drop Downs, Reducers and Adapters Explained
Updated October 2026 · Shatter Kitchen
A drop down is a short, angled glass adapter that plugs into your rig's joint and lowers the banger below it. It keeps oil reclaim out of your rig, puts some distance between the hot banger and the glass joint, and can change the joint size or gender so you can use a banger that would not fit otherwise. Reducers, expanders and converters are close cousins that change size or gender without the drop.
How does a drop down work?
A drop down has two joints. One end plugs into your rig, and the other end, set lower and angled downward, holds your banger. When you take a dab, vapor travels up through the drop down and into the rig. Because the banger sits lower than the joint, any oil that condenses runs down and collects at the bottom of the drop down instead of flowing into your rig's water.
That simple shape gives you three useful things: cleaner rig water, a place where reclaim collects so it is easy to deal with, and extra distance between the hottest part of your setup and the joint of your rig.
Why use a drop down on a dab rig?
It keeps your rig cleaner
Oil that would normally coat your downstem and percs collects in the drop down instead. A small adapter is far easier to soak and rinse than a whole rig. You will still clean your rig, just less often.
It moves heat away from the joint
Repeated heating right at the joint can stress the glass over time. A drop down adds a bit of distance between the banger and your rig's joint, so the joint sees less heat from the torch.
It puts the banger where you can see it
On a small rig, the banger can sit uncomfortably close to your face. A drop down moves it lower and out, making it easier to see the floor of the banger and judge temperature. That matters a lot if you are trying low temp dabs.
It lets you use bangers in other sizes
Say you have a 14mm banger you love but a 10mm rig. A 10mm male to 14mm female drop down lets you use it. If you are not sure what size your joint is, see how to measure a glass joint size.
What is the difference between a drop down, a reducer and a converter?
| Adapter type | What it does | Example | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop down | Lowers the banger below the joint; may also change size or gender | 14mm male to 14mm female drop down | Collects reclaim; adds some height and weight |
| Reducer | Steps a larger joint down to a smaller one | 18mm male to 14mm female | Lets 14mm bowls or bangers fit an 18mm piece |
| Expander | Steps a smaller joint up to a larger one | 10mm male to 14mm female | Adds leverage on small rigs; keep it light |
| Converter | Changes joint gender without changing size | 14mm male to 14mm male | Useful for older or male-joint rigs |
| Low profile adapter | Changes size or gender while adding very little height | 18mm male to 14mm female low profile | Keeps the setup compact and stable |
A good example of the low profile style is our 18 Male to 14 Female Converter Reducer Low Profile Adapter, which turns an 18mm female joint into a 14mm female joint. You can see every size and style in our adapters collection.
Do some dab rigs have a drop down built in?
Yes. Banger hanger rigs are built with a fixed drop down as part of the design, so the banger hangs below the neck and reclaim stays out of the main chamber. The 7" Encore Collection Banger Hanger Oil Rig uses a fixed showerhead dropdown with a 14mm female joint, and The Peanut is a compact 6" banger hanger. If you like the idea of a drop down but do not want an extra part, read banger hanger rigs explained.
How do you choose the right drop down?
- Match your rig's joint. The drop down's bottom joint must be the opposite gender and the same size as your rig's joint. Most rigs have a female joint, so you will usually need a male end.
- Match your banger. The top joint of the drop down needs to fit your banger. If your banger is male, the drop down needs a female top joint.
- Check the angle. Drop downs are made for 90 degree or 45 degree joints. Match your rig so the banger sits level.
- Keep it balanced. Every adapter adds height and leverage. On a light mini rig, a long drop down plus a heavy banger can make it easy to tip. Shorter, low profile styles keep things stable.
- Think about your whole station. If you are building out a full setup, our dab station checklist helps you plan bangers, caps and tools together.
How do you clean a drop down?
Let it cool completely, remove it from your rig, and soak it in isopropyl alcohol with a little coarse salt. Shake with the ends covered, then rinse with warm water and let it dry fully before reinstalling. Cleaning the drop down regularly keeps airflow open and stops reclaim from building up into the joint. Find bangers to pair with it in our quartz bangers collection.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What is a drop down used for?
A drop down lowers your banger below your rig's joint. It collects reclaim, keeps your rig water cleaner, moves heat away from the joint and can change the joint size or gender.
Can I use a 14mm banger on a 10mm rig?
Yes, with a 10mm male to 14mm female drop down or expander. Keep the setup light so a small rig does not become top heavy.
What is the difference between a reducer and a drop down?
A reducer only steps a joint down in size. A drop down also lowers the banger below the joint, which helps collect reclaim. Some drop downs reduce size at the same time.
Do drop downs affect flavor?
They add a short extra path for vapor but usually do not change flavor much. Keeping the drop down clean matters more than its length.
Can I use a drop down on a bong?
Drop downs are designed for bangers on dab rigs. On a bong, a reducer or low profile adapter is the usual way to fit a different size bowl.
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