Ash catcher vs Percolator：Which Is Best for Your Bong Experience?

When it comes to enhancing your bong experience, two popular options come to mind: ash catchers and percolators. 

Each serves a unique purpose and can significantly affect the quality of your hits. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the differences, benefits, and drawbacks of each to help you make an informed choice for your smoking setup.

What is an Ash Catcher and what does it do?

The ash catcher features a water chamber, a joint for connecting to the water pipe, and a downstem with a bowl for ground cannabis. 

The ash is caught in the main water chamber as the smoke passes through. 

It then travels through a pre-bubbling chamber, where it is percolated and further filtered. 

This process cools the smoke, clears your water, and prevents ash from getting stuck to your glass. 

The ash catcher is essential for maintaining a clean and enjoyable smoking experience.

Benefits of Using an Ash Catcher 

Cleaner Hits:

By trapping ash and particulates, an ash catcher keeps your bong cleaner and your hits smoother.

Enhanced Flavor:

With less residue in your bong, you can enjoy the full flavor profile of your cannabis without contamination from burnt material.

Reduced Maintenance:

Keeping your bong clean means less frequent deep cleaning and maintenance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your sessions.

Drawbacks of Using an Ash Catcher

1. Extra Weight:

Adding an ash catcher can make your setup heavier and less portable.

2. Limited Filtration:

While they are great for catching ash, ash catchers do not provide additional water filtration like percolators.

What is a percolator and what does it do?

A Percolator, also known as "pipe is a type of filtration system that can be added to a water pipe( bong) to enhance the smoking experience. 

What percolators do is create small bubbles full of smoke. 

The more holes/slits you have in your percolators, the smoother the hit will be because the more bubbles that are created, the more surface area the smoke comes into contact with, and therefore it will be colder. 

Benefits of Using a Percolator

1. Smoother Hits: 

Percolators effectively diffuse smoke, resulting in cooler and smoother hits that are easier on the lungs.

2. Enhanced Filtration:

With the ability to filter smoke through water multiple times, percolators remove more impurities and particulates than ash catchers.

3. Variety of Designs:

There are numerous types of percolators (e.g., tree, showerhead, honeycomb), each providing different filtration styles and aesthetic appeal.

4. Improved Experience:

The combination of cooling and filtering enhances the overall smoking experience, making it more enjoyable.

Drawbacks of Using a Percolator

1. Complexity: 

Some percolators can be more complex to clean due to their design, requiring more maintenance.

2. Cost:

High-quality percolators can increase the overall cost of your bong setup.

3. Size and Portability:

Depending on the design, percolators can make bongs bulkier, which may affect portability.

Ash catcher vs percolator: A Comparison

Conclusion

Whether you choose an ash catcher, a percolator, or both, incorporating these accessories into your bong setup can elevate your cannabis experience.

Enjoy experimenting with different combinations and find the perfect setup that suits your smoking style!

Happy shopping!

To learn more about Ash Catcher:6 Best Ash Catchers of 2024 for Smoother Hits