Best Ash Catchers
Table of Contents
Beaker Bong
$ 139.95
Recycler Bong
$ 224.95
Bong
$ 169.95
Bong XL
$ 219.95
If you're serious about getting the most out of your water bong, then buying an ash catcher is a must. Ash catchers act as the nightclub bouncer to your bong. They keep resin and debris from entering the piece and add an extra layer of water filtration for a smoother and colder hit.
But not all ash catchers are created equal. And just like when shopping for water bongs, selecting the best ash catcher comes down to the style and percolator used inside it. Let's review some popular types of percs used in ash catchers.
What is an Ash Catcher?
An ash catcher is an extension from your bong or water pipe that acts as an air filter for ash and resin from getting in your bong water. The ash catcher filter reduces the amount of tar that enters the main chamber and also makes a smoother and cleaner effect. Smoke traps can filter away certain toxic compounds created during light bulbs for smooth and clean hits. Ash Catchers can also be useful in keeping ash from getting into your bong water.
Best Percolators Used in Ash Catchers
Water filtration is essential for properly cleansing smoke. Percolators create more bubbles, which creates more surface area for smoke and water to interact. As this interaction happens the water molecules will remove many potentially harmful particles found in smoke. Using water filtration not only provides a healthier smoking experience, but a smoother and colder one too as water acts as a natural cooling agent.
Smoke put through water filtration via percolators is better for your health (as more potentially harmful particles are removed
With that said, not all percolators are created equal. Some don't diffuse smoke as well as others and some may create a ton of percolation but have poor air flow. When a perc becomes too cumbersome you'll notice heavy drag and it can feel like you're trying to suck through a straw.
- Honeycomb Percolator
- Fritted Disc Percolator
- Inline Percolator
- Showerhead Percolator
- Faberge Egg Percolator
- Spiral Percolator
- Tree Percolator
Turbine Percolators
If there's a showman among percs, this would be it. The turbine bong perc combines beauty with function in percolation and filtration. Its flat disc design often makes it paired with honeycomb percolators. The slits of the percolators force the water and bubbles to spin like a tornado inside your bong, mixing smoke with water, creating a smooth, clean hit.
Filtration: 7/10
Airflow: 6/10
Double Showerhead Percolator
This is the perc used in Freeze Pipe's Recycler Ash Catcher and one of the best styles. Two flared out pieces of glass are composed of numerous slits that force water and smoke to interact. This perc finds a nice blend of filtration power without causing drag. Known for being easy to clean it's a consistent perc that's heralded for being low maintenance. The best air flow option on the list, the double showerhead perc is a great option for your bong.
Filtration: 8/10
Airflow: 9/10
Fritted Disc Percolators
Imagine a water show happening inside your bong. This is a what a fritted disc can do with two drawbacks, cleaning and airflow. Similar to the honeycomb style, the fritted disc usually has a single layer of glass that stretches with width of the ash catcher. Fritted discs have even more holes than the honeycomb style, granted each hole is a lot smaller and you rarely see multiple layers of fritted discs stacked on top of each other like you do with the honeycomb.
Filtration: 9/10
Airflow: 6/10
Swiss Percolators
The Swiss percolators mimics sideways Swiss cheese. The bong perc comes in a flat disc shape with large holes. The smoke goes through the maze of paths formed by the holes, diffusing and filtering smoke. It doesn't do as much filtration as many of the other percs on this list but it's super easy to clean and a low maintenance perc.
Filtration: 5/10
Airflow: 7/10
Tree Arm Percolator
The style of perc used in the Freeze Pipe Bubbler. Another classic ash catcher perc style that features multiple arms stretching down into the water with slits on the bottom of each arm. Smoke travels down each arm and out the slits for filtration to begin. Good filtration and air flow, cleaning can be a little bit of a hassle but overall this perc style has stood the test of time. The slits can get clogged so there's some maintenance to this perc but as long as it's running unencumbered it's a really good option.
Filtration: 8/10
Airflow: 7/10
Honeycomb Percolators
Honeycomb percs are extremely popular in ash catchers. It's a flat piece of glass that stretches the width of the ash catcher and has many holes across the surface. You'll even see 3 layers on honeycomb percs crammed into one ash catcher. The downside to honeycomb percs is the drag, espcially on the 3x layered ones. It's good percolation but the airflow is constricting and rarely does this style come in the needed recycling water filtration style.
Filtration: 8/10
Airflow: 4/10
Why Recycling Water Function Is Important For Ash Catchers
Now that you understand what an Ash Catcher is, there's one more distinction that needs to be made. When buying an ash catcher look for one with recycling water function. Not only will this improve filtration and airflow, but it keeps the water in the ash catcher from not getting sucked into the bong. You've already filled up your bong with the perfect amount of water, inadvertently adding more water will dampen the bongs function. Too much water in bongs will lead to tough pulls that feel like you're picking up an anvil with your lungs. Hitting a bong should be a pleasant, easy experience that requires minimal effort. So next you're shopping for that ash catcher, make sure it's got recycling water function and you'll be hooked for life.
