How to Use an Ash Catcher
Buying an ash catcher completely changes how you enjoy your bong. It keeps it so much cleaner and makes every rip just a little bit smoother. But tapping into all the benefits this tool has to offer depends on understanding how to use an ash catcher. Here’s the quick guide:
- Attach it to your piece
- Add some water
- Smoke as usual
It’s that simple. But the real payoff is in taking care of your ash catcher. This attachment captures all the ash, debris, and resin so it doesn’t get into your main piece.
The first step, though, if you haven’t already, is picking up the perfect ash catcher for your glass bongs today. Take a look at our lineup here at Badass Glass and find the perfect fit for your piece!
Key Takeaways
- As the name suggests, an ash catcher traps debris before it contaminates your bong.
- Match your ash catcher's joint size (14mm or 18mm) and angle (45° or 90°) to your bong's joint.
- Wet ash catchers deliver more filtration and smoother hits. Dry catchers are easier to maintain.
- Clean your ash catcher every few sessions to maximize its benefits.
- Shop ash catchers and bongs at Badass Glass for the perfect setup.
What’s the Point of an Ash Catcher?
You probably know what an ash catcher does already if you’re here reading this guide on how to use an ash catcher. This is one of the best accessories you can add to any bong. It captures all the little gunk that travels from your bowl, through the downstem, and into the main chamber of your bong.
A lot of people don’t use ash catchers. But every piece of burnt material (and even some unburnt flower) makes its way into the bong water, and then it coats the walls of your bong. The water starts to get murky and funky-smelling. You end up having to go through with a much deeper clean than you otherwise would.
That’s really the case for an ash catcher: simplifying maintenance. All of the debris gets trapped in a much smaller, removable chamber that you can clean much easier. This keeps your main piece cleaner for longer.
The other benefit of an ash catcher is being able to maximize the filtration your bong already provides. This is especially true with some of the really sophisticated ash catchers we have in store for you here at Badass Glass, which have percolators inside them!
Dirty water can really destroy your bong’s enjoyment factor. It’s why hits taste stale or harsh. It’s why your bong stinks. It’s why everyone who cares about their glass should invest in an ash catcher.
Choosing the Right Ash Catcher For Your Bong
You might have already done your due diligence and picked out an ash catcher. If so, great! You can skip ahead to our section on how to use an ash catcher the right way. Otherwise, you have some shopping to do - and you’ve come to the right place.
Why Choose Our Ash Catchers?
Badass Glass is your one-stop shop for high-quality smoking essentials online. We’ve curated an unbeatable selection of ash catchers from industry-leading brands. These are the things you need to think about as you start weighing your options:
- Joint size: Ash catchers come in either 14mm or 18mm sizes, and you cannot get this wrong - you quite literally will not be able to use your ash catcher if you choose the wrong size. Check the joint size on your bong’s downstem. Or, ask our customer service team for help on this.
- Angle: Most bongs have either a 45-degree or 90-degree joint angle. You want your ash catcher to match so that it sits level and doesn’t stress out the joint. A 90-degree ash catcher would sit awkwardly on a 45-degree bong and could crack the joint eventually.
- Percolator: This is not a must. Especially if your bong already has percolators and you’re happy with the level of filtration. However, you should research the different types of percolators if you do want one in your ash catcher. Each has trade-offs between filtration, drag, and how easy they are to clean.
- Design: You obviously want something that matches your bong - so don’t choose a neon green ash catcher for a piece with red hues. Unless, of course, you want that level of contrast. Most people prefer to make sure the styles of their ash catcher and bong align, though.
You can take a look at the full selection at Badass Glass to see what catches your eye. Otherwise, here are three of our personal favorites as a good starting point.
14mm Recycler Ash Catcher by Toxic Glass - 90 Degree
A recycler-style ash catcher that continuously loops water to maximize filtration. Water is constantly moving through the chamber, cooling smoke much more than a basic setup would. Available in Gold, Space Gray, and Pink.
14mm 90 Degree T-Perc Ash Catcher
The tree percolator design features multiple slitted arms that break smoke into smaller bubbles. Translation: smoother, more even diffusion. A really affordable option at just over $50, too.
14mm Incycler Ash Catcher by Toxic Glass - 90 Degree
Incyclers are kind of like recyclers with a little twist. The recycling function is kept within a single, compact chamber. Water doesn’t get routed through external tubes. So you still get pretty similar filtration, but a lot less drag. Available in Pink and Blue.
How to Use an Ash Catcher: Step-by-Step Guide
Now let’s get into what you really came here for today - figuring out how to use an ash catcher to maximize its benefits. This becomes second nature once you’ve handled setup a few times.
Step 1. Fit the Ash Catcher on Your Piece
Remove the bowl from your bong’s downstem and place the ash catcher there instead. It should sit snug without wobbling whatsoever. Then, stick your bowl in the ash catcher’s top joint. This too should fit seamlessly without moving around at all.
Step 2. Add Water to Your Ash Catcher
You can proceed to step three if you plan on using your new attachment as a dry catcher. Frankly, though, you’re missing out on a lot of what it can do for you. We recommend adding water to the ash catcher for maximum filtration.
Remove the bowl, and pour a little water in through the top opening. If there’s a percolator in the ash catcher, it should be just barely covered. You don’t need much. A little goes a long way. Too much water is only going to add more drag. You want to submerge the slits/arms of the percolator (if it has one) by about a quarter inch. Test the draw and adjust as needed.
Step 3. Use Your Bong as You Normally Would
Pack your bowl, light it, and inhale. The smoke will pass through the ash catcher first. The perc will filter and cool it if you have one, so that the hit you actually end up with is much easier to handle - even if it’s on the bigger side! You’ll notice the difference right away.
There’s just one little change to your routine as a whole. Now, you’re rinsing and emptying the ash catcher rather than the bong itself. Do this after every session to keep your ash catcher fresh.
Can You Use Your Ash Catcher Dry?
We get asked about the differences between a dry catcher vs ash catcher all the time. It really comes down to personal preference - but most people who try each approach decide a wet ash catcher is superior.
That being said, there is a case to be made for using an ash catcher dry. You preserve your flower’s full flavor profile. You’re still preventing ash and debris from getting into your bong; you’re just missing out on the extra filtration and cooling that you’d get with water.
There are ash catchers specifically designed for waterless use. They have simpler internal chambers that make cleaning even faster. Take a look at our collection and find the right fit!
Keeping Your Ash Catcher Clean
The whole point of an ash catcher is keeping your main piece clean so you get more flavorful rips and don’t end up with any nasty funk emitting from your bong. But you still have to clean the ash catcher itself! Here’s a quick guide to taking care of your new attachment:
- Dump the water after every session. Give the ash catcher a quick rinse with warm water. It takes 30 seconds and prevents a lot of buildup from hardening against the glass.
- Deep clean the ash catcher every 3-5 sessions. Stick it in a plastic baggie with isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) with coarse salt. Gently shake the baggie to try and remove the buildup through abrasion. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes. Then, thoroughly rinse the unit with warm water.
- Keep an eye on the perc. Assuming your ash catcher has one, that is. Tree percs and recyclers have smaller internal channels that are prone to clogging. It’s time for cleaning if you notice less airflow as you try to pull through the piece (drag).
You almost never have to deep clean your bong if you do a good job staying on top of ash catcher maintenance. So, don’t take it lightly!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ash catchers work?
These attach to where you’d normally put your bowl (the main joint, into your downstem), and your bowl goes inside the ash catcher now instead. The purpose is to prevent ash and other gunk from getting into the main chamber of your bong, where it could end up clogging percolators and be a hassle to clean up.
Is an ash catcher worth it?
Absolutely. People who regularly use their bong with an ash catcher say it’s one of the best decisions they made. It makes each hit a little smoother and simplifies maintenance a ton. It’s a great investment for any daily toker.
Are you supposed to put water in your ash catcher?
We prefer putting water in the ash catcher, but that’s honestly for you to decide. There are pros and cons of either approach - dry or wet. Dry catchers are easier to clean and maximize flavor, but at the cost of filtration. Try both and see which you like better.
How to properly use an ash catcher?
Start by picking the right one. Match the joint size and angle to your bong. Attach the ash catcher to the bong's joint, place the bowl in the ash catcher's top joint, add water if it's a wet style, and smoke as usual. Other than that, it’s just a matter of keeping your ash catcher clean.
Final Words How to Use an Ash Catcher
That does it for our guide on how to use an ash catcher. If we could leave you with one final thought, it would be this: adding an ash catcher to your bong is a no-brainer. It’s one of those things you’ll wish you’d done sooner once you try it.
So, head over to Badass Glass and take a look at the lineup. We’ve curated an unparalleled selection for you to choose from. Discover the ash catcher benefits today!