Glass vs Brass Cone Pieces: What's the Difference?
Compare glass and brass cone pieces, including 14mm glass fittings and Billy Mate universal brass cones designed for compatible glass and metal stems.
The cone piece might be one of the smallest parts of a bong, but choosing the right one is important. Two of the most common options are glass cone pieces and brass cone pieces. They perform the same basic role, but they connect differently, feel different in the hand and suit different bong setups.
Billy Mate also offers universal brass cone pieces designed to give customers more flexibility than a traditional brass cone. With the correct grommet, selected Billy Mate universal brass cones can work with both traditional metal stems, including compatible Bonza-style stems, and glass stems with a 14mm connection where the cone piece sits. That makes understanding the difference between glass and brass especially useful before choosing a replacement.
The cone piece is the removable component that sits at the top of the bong's stem or glass joint. In Australia, it is commonly called a cone or cone piece. Internationally, you may also see it described as a bowl. Cone pieces are available in many materials and shapes, but two of the most common are glass and brass.
A glass cone piece is usually made from heat-resistant glass and uses a ground-glass joint to connect directly with the bong or downstem. A common Billy Mate configuration is a 14mm glass cone piece. This fits into a compatible 14mm female glass connection.
For example, a Billy Mate bong may use a 19/14mm downstem. The 19mm end goes into the bong, while the 14mm opening at the top accepts the glass cone piece.
Typical Glass Cone Piece Features
Depending on the design, a glass cone may have a 14mm joint, a 19mm joint, a glass handle, clear glass, coloured glass, a gradient finish, Billy Mate branding or different bowl shapes. Some Billy Mate glass cone pieces include a small handle to make them easier to grip and remove.
A brass cone piece is made from metal rather than glass. Traditional brass cones are particularly familiar in Australian bong setups and are commonly associated with metal stems, Bonza-style stems, rubber grommet connections and traditional Australian bong designs. Brass is much less fragile than glass, making brass cone pieces popular with people who prefer a more traditional and durable removable cone.
This is where the Billy Mate range is a little different. Rather than limiting the brass cone to one type of stem, Billy Mate has universal brass cone options designed to work across compatible setups. The universal design can be used with two stem types.
Metal Stems
Including compatible Bonza metal stems.
Glass Stems
Including compatible glass stems with a 14mm joint where the cone piece sits.
The removable grommet is what helps make this possible.
A grommet is a small sealing piece fitted around the brass cone. It helps the cone sit securely in the appropriate opening. With the Billy Mate universal brass cone, the grommet allows the brass cone to be used with compatible glass stem setups. Depending on the stem configuration, the cone can also be used with compatible metal stems.
So rather than having one brass cone for glass and another brass cone for metal, the Billy Mate universal design provides a more flexible solution.
The standard Billy Mate universal brass cone includes the grommet required for compatible glass stem use. The basic idea is that for a glass stem, the brass cone and grommet fit into a compatible 14mm glass stem opening, and for a metal stem, the brass cone can be configured for the compatible metal stem connection. This makes it particularly useful if you own more than one style of bong.
Billy Mate also offers a Universal Brass Bucket Cone Piece. The bucket-style design provides a different shape while retaining the same idea of broader compatibility. It can be used with compatible glass stems, 14mm glass connections, metal stems and Bonza-style metal stems. The exact setup depends on the stem being used, so always check compatibility before fitting it.
There is also the Billy Mate Party Cone Piece. This gives customers another brass cone option while maintaining compatibility with appropriate stem configurations. Like the other universal brass designs, it can be used with compatible Bonza metal stems and glass stems with a 14mm cone connection. This means customers can choose the cone style they prefer without necessarily being restricted to only a traditional metal stem.
| Feature | Glass Cone Piece | Billy Mate Universal Brass Cone |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Glass | Brass |
| Typical connection | Ground-glass joint | Universal design with grommet |
| Common Billy Mate size | 14mm | Compatible 14mm glass and metal setups |
| Works with glass stems | Yes, matching joint required | Yes, with compatible setup and grommet |
| Works with metal stems | Generally no | Yes, compatible metal stems |
| Break resistance | Can break if dropped | Much more resistant to impact |
| Appearance | Clean glass look | Traditional brass look |
| Handle options | Available on many styles | Depends on model |
| Style choices | Clear, colour, gradient | Standard, Bucket, Party and others |
This is probably the most important difference.
Glass Cone Piece
A glass cone normally uses a ground-glass joint. For example, a 14mm male glass cone fits into a 14mm female opening. The two glass surfaces are manufactured to fit together. No rubber grommet is normally required.
Brass Cone Piece
A traditional brass cone does not use the same tapered ground-glass connection. Instead, it commonly relies on a metal stem or grommet arrangement. Billy Mate's universal brass cone design expands this by allowing compatible brass cones to be fitted to certain 14mm glass stem openings using the supplied grommet.
With the correct Billy Mate universal brass cone and compatible connection, yes. This is an important point. A customer may have a glass stem with a 14mm opening where the glass cone would normally sit. Using the appropriate Billy Mate universal brass cone and grommet allows the brass cone to fit that compatible opening. That means someone who prefers brass does not necessarily need to replace their glass downstem with a metal one.
With the compatible Billy Mate universal design, yes. The cone is intended to provide flexibility across compatible Bonza metal stems and 14mm glass stem connections. This is one of the strongest advantages of the universal design.
Usually not directly. A ground-glass cone relies on the matching tapered glass joint. Traditional metal stems use a different connection system. Adapters may exist for specialised setups, but a normal 14mm glass cone should not simply be forced into a metal stem.
Glass cone pieces have several advantages.
Clean Appearance
A glass cone keeps the entire setup visually consistent with a glass bong and downstem.
Colour Options
Glass cones can be made in clear, pink, blue, green, gold, champagne, grey and gradient finishes. This allows the cone piece to match the bong.
Ground-Glass Fit
A properly sized glass cone fits directly into the corresponding glass joint.
Handles
Many glass cones include handles, making the small piece easier to grip.
Brass has different advantages.
Durability
A brass cone is far less likely to break if dropped.
Traditional Australian Setup
Brass cone pieces are familiar to users of Bonza and metal stem designs.
Universal Compatibility
With Billy Mate's compatible universal design and grommet, selected brass cone pieces can work across both glass and metal stem setups.
Different Shapes
You are not limited to one traditional brass cone. Options such as the Universal Brass Bucket Cone Piece and Party Cone Piece give customers different styles to choose from.
Glass. A glass cone can chip or break if dropped, knocked against a hard surface, forced into the wrong joint or exposed to physical impact. Brass is considerably more resistant to accidental drops. This is one reason some people prefer brass for an everyday setup.
That comes down to personal preference.
Glass
Provides a clean, modern glass-on-glass appearance. This can be particularly attractive with premium glass bongs, gradient bongs, coloured glass and matching glass downstems.
Brass
Provides a more traditional Australian look. It can suit Bonza bongs, metal stem setups, classic bong designs and customers who simply prefer a metal cone.
Neither is automatically better.
Absolutely. The glass joint must match. Common sizes include 14mm and 19mm. Billy Mate commonly uses 14mm cone pieces with compatible 19/14mm downstems. If your downstem accepts a 14mm cone, you need the correct 14mm glass fitting. Our 14mm vs 19mm Bong Joints: Complete Size Guide explains this in more detail.
This is worth repeating because it causes a lot of confusion. A 19/14mm downstem generally means the larger 19mm joint fits into the bong, and the smaller 14mm opening accepts the cone piece. So the setup runs from the 14mm cone piece, into the 19/14mm downstem, into the 19mm bong connection.
With a compatible Billy Mate setup, the universal brass cone can sit where the 14mm glass cone piece would normally connect. The grommet helps create the appropriate fit. So a glass setup might use a 14mm glass cone into a 19/14mm glass downstem, while a universal brass setup uses the Billy Mate universal brass cone and grommet into a compatible 14mm glass downstem. The bong and downstem do not necessarily need to be changed simply because you prefer brass.
A Bonza stem is a traditional metal bong stem commonly used with brass cone pieces. Rather than a ground-glass connection, the components use a metal and grommet-style arrangement. Billy Mate universal brass cone designs can also be used with compatible Bonza metal stem setups. That creates a useful crossover between traditional metal bong hardware and modern glass bong fittings.
This is an important distinction for Billy Mate products. A standard brass cone may be intended primarily for a particular type of metal stem. A Billy Mate universal brass cone is designed to provide greater compatibility. Depending on the configuration, it can be used with compatible metal stems, Bonza stems, compatible glass stems and 14mm glass cone connections using the appropriate grommet. That makes it a more versatile replacement option.
A bucket cone piece has a larger, more bucket-shaped upper bowl compared with a traditional narrow brass cone. Billy Mate offers a Universal Brass Bucket Cone Piece, giving customers another option within the universal brass range. Its compatibility concept remains the same: metal stem compatibility plus compatible 14mm glass stem use where the correct connection and grommet are used.
The Party Cone Piece is another Billy Mate brass cone option designed for customers who want a different cone format. Like the Universal and Bucket versions, it can work with compatible Bonza metal stems, metal bong stems and glass stems with a suitable 14mm connection. This means the choice between cone styles does not necessarily require changing the entire bong setup.
If your original cone breaks or is lost, first identify your stem. If it is a glass stem, check the joint size. If it has a 14mm female cone connection, you can choose an appropriate 14mm glass cone or a compatible Billy Mate universal brass option. If it is a Bonza metal stem, a compatible Billy Mate universal brass cone may be suitable. If you are not sure, do not guess from a photograph. Measure the connection or check the original product specifications. Our How to Measure a Bong Downstem Correctly guide can help you identify the stem and its fittings.
Use this checklist.
1. Stem Type
Glass or metal?
2. Joint Size
If glass, is it 14mm or 19mm?
3. Cone Material
Glass or brass?
4. Grommet
Does the brass cone require one for your setup?
5. Cone Style
Standard, Bucket, Party or another design?
Knowing these five things makes the decision much easier.
Both are easy to replace when you know the connection. The challenge is usually not physically replacing the cone. The challenge is buying the correct one. A customer sees a cone piece and thinks it looks about right, but glass joint dimensions can be difficult to judge from a photograph. Always check the measurements.
With a compatible Billy Mate universal brass cone, often yes. This is one of the main benefits of the universal design. If your glass stem has the appropriate 14mm connection where the cone sits, you can use a compatible universal brass cone with its grommet rather than being permanently limited to a glass cone.
Yes, provided the original glass joint remains unchanged. Remove the universal brass cone and grommet, then reinstall a correctly sized glass cone piece. This gives you flexibility to change between styles.
Billy's Tip: If your bong has a 14mm glass cone connection, do not assume you are limited to glass. Check whether one of the Billy Mate universal brass cone pieces with grommet is compatible. Likewise, if you use a traditional Bonza metal stem, you may not need a completely different cone when moving between compatible setups. One cone design, more fitting options.
Choose a glass cone piece if you prefer glass-on-glass construction, matching colours, a premium appearance, ground-glass fittings, and glass handles and decorative designs.
Choose a Billy Mate universal brass cone piece if you prefer brass construction, greater resistance to breakage, traditional Australian style, compatibility with selected metal stems, compatibility with selected 14mm glass stems using a grommet, and the option of Standard, Bucket or Party styles.
Neither is universally better. It comes down to the bong, stem and style you prefer.
The easiest way to remember it is that a glass cone piece fits directly into the matching ground-glass joint, while a Billy Mate universal brass cone piece uses a universal-style configuration and grommet to work with compatible glass and metal stem setups. And most importantly, check the connection before ordering.
Billy Mate offers a growing range of cone pieces including 14mm glass cone pieces, coloured glass cones, gradient glass cones, glass cones with handles, universal brass cone pieces, Universal Brass Bucket Cone Pieces and Party brass cone pieces. Our universal brass designs give customers additional flexibility by allowing compatible cones to work with Bonza-style metal stems and glass stems with an appropriate 14mm cone connection.
To understand how the cone piece fits alongside the rest of the bong, see our Bong Parts Explained: Complete Diagram and Guide. If you are also replacing the stem, our What Is a Diffused Downstem guide explains the options.