With medical marijuana and outright marijuana legalization sweeping the country, more people are smoking now than ever before. The quality, durability, and innovation of smoking equipment has never been greater than it is today. That means it’s a great time to upgrade your bong, bubbler, or water pipe. One of the easiest and most helpful ways to upgrade your bong is by investing in a new downstem. Here are a few tips to help you find the right downstem for you.

What is a Downstem?

So, what is a downstem and why is it so important to choose the right one? The downstem is a tube that extends into the main chamber of your bong, allowing the smoke to be drawn in. Downstems essentially act as the bridge between the bowl, containing your cannabis, and the water in your bong. They are either fixed and immovable inside the bong or they are detachable, connecting at the outer joint of your bong. Here are a few reasons to make sure you get the right downstem

Why is it Important to Get the Right Downstem?

• They are expensive to continuously replace
• Low-quality downstems break easily
• It may be too long or too short and will not fit
• You get a smoother, better, and more consistent hit with the right downstem

Choose the Right Diameter for Your Downstem

Choosing the right downstem for you depends on the bong or water pipe that you’re using. Every bong has a small opening, called the joint, where the downstem is inserted. The diameter of this joint determines the diameter needed for your new downstem. Conveniently, there are three main diameters used on pretty much every bong, water pipe, or rig. Simply, find out the diameter of the joint on your bong, then find the downstem that fits.

What are the Common Diameters for Downstems?

• 10mm for mini bongs
• 14mm
• 18mm

Choose the Right Length for Your Downstem

While the diameter of your new downstem is incredibly important, so is the length. Downstems come in many different lengths because there are many different types of bongs for them to fit. Remember, the downstem needs to extend below the waterline to allow the smoke to pass through the water as bubbles. A great way to find out how long your downstem needs to be is by inserting a pencil into the joint. Stop just before it touches the side or bottom of the bong and mark the pencil. Pull the pencil out and measure to the mark for the perfect downstem length for your bong.

What Type of Bong or Water Pipe Do You Have?

• Beaker Bong
• Round Base Bong
• Straight Pipe Bong
• Mini Bong
• Tall Bong
• Bubbler

How To Measure a Downstem

The trick to choosing the right length downstem comes down to how you measure it. The best way to measure your downstem is from the bottom of the ground joint to the end of the downstem. The ground joint is the slightly wider part near the top of the downstem that tapers in slightly. This part is placed in the joint of your bong. This measurement helps you see how much of the downstem actually goes into the bong.

Choose the Right Material for Your Downstem

Next, it’s important to choose the right material for your downstem. Some people choose to keep their downstem the same material as their bong, to match. Others tend to search for a downstem material that boosts durability. Glass and ceramic downstems tend to be fairly easy to break, meaning you might be replacing them often. Silicone downstems are unbreakable, but they’re also incredibly difficult to clean and retain the smell. By choosing a strong, Metal or aluminum material, you ensure your downstem lasts longer than your bong does.

Common Downstem Materials Include:

• Glass
• Silicone
• Plastic
• Ceramic
• Metal
• Aluminum
• Titanium

Percolators and Diffusers

The main point of the downstem is to bring smoke down into the main chamber of your bong, where it diffuses and percolates through the water before reaching you. A great tip when buying a new downstem is to look for one that has an additional percolator or diffuser at the end. The added percolation helps filter and cool the smoke, helping create the perfect, silky-smooth hit.

Get the Best Downstems at Ace-Labz

If you want a durable downstem that adjusts to fit pretty much any diameter and length, then it’s time to check out the Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Unbreakable Downstem by Ace-Labz. Coming in eight different colors, including black, blue, and red, the Titan-Stem 3.0 fits the style and color of any bong. The adjustable length and multiple attachments means this downstem fits the main 14mm and 18mm joints of most bongs on the market. The best part is the virtually unbreakable aircraft-grade anodized aluminum used to make the Titan-Stem 3.0. These incredible downstems also work well with the unbreakable Titan-Bowl.

To find out more about the incredible bongs and bong accessories, including the Titan-Stem 3.0 Adjustable Length Unbreakable Downstem, then head over to Ace-Labz. Our expertly crafted downstems, Titan-Bowls, grinders, and more, are some of the most durable and coolest looking products available. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram for our latest news and offers. You can also follow our helpful blog for more tips and tricks.