What is the chillum on a bong? 💚

A chillum is a connecting part of a bong—usually a thin glass tube that leads from the bong bowl into the water. It's a central component that ensures the smoke from the bowl passes through the water into the smoke chamber. There, it is cooled and filtered before you inhale it through the mouthpiece.

Function of the chillum

The chillum combines two important points:

The bong bowl in which the herb is burned
The water reservoir through which the smoke is passed

As you take a drag, the smoke is drawn through the chillum into the water, where filtration begins. This makes the smoke cooler, cleaner, and more pleasant to inhale.

Types of chillums

There are different types of chillums, depending on the bong shape and accessories:

Straight chillum: Classic, simple, fits in many standard bongs
Diffuser chillum: With small slits or holes at the bottom, ensures finer bubbles and better cooling
Angled Chillum: For certain bongs or more comfortable seating

Material and cut

Most chillums are made of borosilicate glass (heat-resistant) and have a standardized cut – usually 14.5 mm or 18.8 mm, matching the bowl and bong opening.

Tip: Always make sure that the chillum fits the cut size of your bong and your bong bowl!

Difference: Chillum vs. Downstem

In many cases, chillum and downstem are used synonymously – especially with plug-in systems. Technically, however, a chillum is usually a simple, straight smoke channel, while a downstem can also be permanently attached to the bong (e.g., in ice bongs or percolators).

The chillum is the heart of bong filtration. It connects the bowl to the water and ensures that the smoke is drawn through the water and cooled. Without a chillum, you won't have a pleasant bong experience. Whether classic or with a diffuser, a properly fitting, clean chillum makes a real difference when smoking.

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