Description

A downstem is the tube that carries smoke from the bowl down under the water line, and it is the part most likely to be broken or missing on a second-hand piece. These are full-colour borosilicate stems in 14mm, diffused at the tip so the smoke breaks into small bubbles instead of one large one, and offered in three lengths so you can match the water depth of your pipe rather than guessing. The colour runs through the glass, not a coating on the outside.

Why it stands out

Most replacement downstems come in one length and clear glass. Having 4, 4.5 and 5 inch options means the tip actually sits where it should – deep enough to diffuse, not so deep that you are pulling water up the neck.

Specifications

• Material: Borosilicate glass, colour through the body
• Joint: 14mm
• Lengths: 4 inch, 4.5 inch and 5 inch
• Diffusion: Slit-diffused tip
• Colours: Green, Lake Green, Lavender, Light Blue, Pink, Smoke, Yellow and Matrix Green

What’s included

One 14mm downstem in the colour and length you select.

Compatibility

Measure your existing stem from the top of the ground joint to the tip, and match that figure. Too long and the tip hits the bottom of the chamber; too short and it will not reach the water.

Care

Soak in isopropyl alcohol to clear the diffusion slits – a blocked slit is the usual cause of a downstem that suddenly pulls hard. Rinse thoroughly before reuse.

Good to know

Colour is cosmetic and does not affect performance. Matrix Green is a patterned finish and is priced slightly higher than the solid colours.