The Phoenix Star 5 Arm Ash Catcher keeps your bong clean and cools smoke for smoother hits. This 45° angle is perfect for most beaker-style bongs, and it comes in 14mm or 18mm sizes.
This Phoenix Star model is an accessory for your water pipe with two main jobs: it traps ash and debris before they dirty your piece, and provides an extra layer of water filtration. Featuring a powerful 5-arm tree percolator, this attachment is made to cool down smoke for noticeably smoother hits. Its 45-degree joint makes it a perfect match for most beaker-style bongs and rigs.
By adding this simple piece to your setup, you can go longer between deep cleanings and improve the quality of every session. It's a practical upgrade for anyone who wants a cleaner piece and a better smoking experience.
This ash catcher keeps your main piece clean while cooling smoke with its 5-arm tree perc.
Every feature of the Phoenix Star ash catcher is designed for performance and durability. Here is a breakdown of how each specification gives you a real-world benefit.
| Feature | Value (What it Does) | Benefit (For You) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Arm Tree Percolator | Forces smoke through five separate arms, each with diffusion slits. | Creates maximum bubbling for great cooling and filtration, resulting in a much smoother pull. |
| 45° Joint Angle | Connects to water pipes that have a 45-degree angled downstem joint. | Ensures a stable, secure, and level fit on the most common beaker and angled-stem bongs. |
| Durable Borosilicate Glass | Made from lab-grade glass known for its strength against heat changes. | A long-lasting accessory that can handle regular use, temperature changes, and cleaning. |
| 14mm / 18mm Options | Available in the two most common joint sizes in the industry. | Guarantees you can find a perfect, airtight fit for your existing favorite water pipe. |
This accessory uses a multi-arm perc and quality glass to deliver real improvements in smoothness and cleanliness.
Choosing the right ash catcher is all about compatibility. Use this 6-point checklist before buying to ensure a perfect, leak-free fit with your favorite water pipe.
Getting the fit right is essential for a good seal and proper function. This guide will help you pick the correct joint size and confirm that the 45-degree angle is what you need.
Joints usually come in 14mm and 18mm sizes. A simple way to check is with a dime: if a dime sits on top and almost falls in, you have an 18mm joint. If it rests on top with plenty of room, you have a 14mm joint. We offer this ash catcher in both sizes to match your piece.
A 45-degree ash catcher is built for water pipes where the joint comes out at a downward angle, which is most common on beaker-style bongs. This angle ensures the ash catcher sits upright and level, letting the percolator work correctly and preventing stress on the glass joints.
The best feature of this Phoenix Star model is its impressive percolator. Unlike simpler designs, the 5-arm tree perc is engineered for a high level of diffusion that you can feel right away.
When smoke enters the ash catcher, it is pulled through a central tube and then split evenly among five arms. Each arm has small slits at the bottom that force the smoke into the water as many tiny bubbles. This process hugely increases the surface area of the smoke touching the water, providing fast cooling and filtering out impurities for a hit that’s much less harsh.
The 5-arm tree perc is the engine behind this ash catcher, providing excellent smoke diffusion and smoothness.
While the 5-arm tree perc offers excellent smoothness, different ash catchers provide different experiences. Here’s how it compares to other popular styles in the same price range.
| Feature | 5-Arm Tree Perc (This Product) | Showerhead Perc | Basic Dry Catcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration Style | Multi-point diffusion | Single, wide diffusion | None (traps ash only) |
| Smoothness | High | Good | Low |
| Potential Drag | Low to Medium | Low | Very Low |
| Primary Benefit | Maximum cooling and filtration | Reliable, low-drag diffusion | Keeps piece clean, zero drag |
Keeping your ash catcher clean is key to its performance. A clean perc means better flavor and smoother function. Because it traps most of the residue, you can clean it easily without having to clean your entire bong.
For a quick clean, just remove the bowl, empty the old water, and rinse with hot water. For tougher buildup, fill the ash catcher about one-third full with isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) and a teaspoon of coarse salt. Plug the openings and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds. The salt acts as a scrubber. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and it's ready to use.
Regular cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and salt will keep your tree perc working like new.
A little attention to setup ensures your ash catcher works perfectly without issues like splashback or unwanted drag. Follow these simple tips for the best experience.
Fill the ash catcher with just enough water to submerge the diffusion slits at the bottom of the five arms. Overfilling can cause water to splash into your mouth or the main pipe. Test the function by taking a gentle pull without a bowl to see even bubbling from all arms.
Splashback is almost always caused by too much water, so use the minimum level needed to cover the perc slits. Extra drag can happen if the water level is too high or if the perc gets clogged with resin. By using the right water level and cleaning it regularly, you'll maintain a smooth, effortless pull.
If this 45-degree model isn't the perfect match for your piece, or you want to see other percolator styles, browse our complete collection of ash catchers. We carry a wide variety of sizes, angles, and designs to fit any setup.
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