Funnel, Plain 60 Degrees, Long Stem

Quick Answer: A long stem funnel is a plain 60 degree filter funnel whose stem is longer than usual. The stem fills with an unbroken column of filtrate, which draws liquid through the paper faster, and it reaches well down into narrow-necked flasks and bottles when pouring.

The Liquid Column That Speeds Filtration

In gravity filtration, the only force pushing liquid through the paper is the weight of the liquid above it. A long stem adds to that: when the stem fills completely with filtrate and no air bubble breaks the column, the hanging liquid pulls gently on the liquid in the paper, much like a siphon. The longer the unbroken column, the stronger the pull, so a well-sealed paper filters noticeably faster here than in a short-stemmed cone.

Getting the column to form depends on a good seal between paper and glass. The paper should be pressed against the cone with a wet finger or a stream of wash water, so that no air enters the stem from the top. The stem tip should touch the inside wall of the receiving vessel, letting the filtrate run quietly down the glass instead of splashing. That is why long stemmed funnels have traditionally been preferred in gravimetric analysis, where every drop of filtrate must be collected cleanly.

The same length helps when pouring into a narrow-necked flask or bottle, because the outlet sits below the neck. For hot saturated solutions, however, a long stem is a drawback: the solution cools on its way down and crystals block the tube, so the short stem funnel is the choice there. The title does not give stem length, cone diameter or material.

Applications

• Gravimetric analysis practicals in which a precipitate is filtered and washed quantitatively
• Filtering large volumes of cool solution, such as water samples, where speed matters
• Pouring liquids into volumetric flasks or bottles with narrow necks
• Delivering liquid below the surface of another liquid, for example when layering solutions

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Clean inside the stem with a narrow brush or pipe cleaner, since residues collect at the tip.
• Store these funnels lying down or in a rack, because a long stem snaps easily if the funnel falls over.
• Keep the stem tip against the wall of the receiver during filtration to prevent splashing and loss.
• Rinse promptly after filtering salt solutions so crystals do not dry inside the narrow bore.

Why Choose LabEquip

Colleges teaching quantitative analysis and schools that filter large class volumes are the typical buyers of long stemmed funnels. They are available from LabEquip’s chemistry lab equipment section; send stem length and quantity requirements through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a long stem make filtration faster?

When the stem is completely filled with liquid, the weight of that column pulls on the liquid in the paper cone, adding suction to gravity. The effect disappears if air bubbles break the column, so the paper must be sealed well against the glass.

How do I get the stem to fill with liquid?

Fit the folded paper, wet it with distilled water, and press its upper edge against the glass so no air can enter. Fill the cone with water; the stem should fill and stay full. If bubbles appear, reseat the paper.

When should I use a long stem instead of a short one?

Use a long stem for cool solutions where speed and clean collection matter, such as quantitative work. Use a short stem, or a stemless funnel, for hot solutions that could crystallise in a long, cooler tube.

Why should the stem touch the side of the beaker?

With the tip resting against the inner wall, the filtrate runs down the glass instead of dropping into the liquid below, which avoids splashing and loss. It also helps keep the liquid column in the stem intact.

Can this funnel be used for pouring solvents into narrow bottles?

Yes. The long stem reaches below the neck, so liquid enters without wetting the threads or ground joint of the bottle. Lift the funnel slightly or use a paper spacer so displaced air can escape and the funnel does not airlock.

How do I clean a long, narrow stem?

Rinse it straight after use, then draw a pipe cleaner or narrow bottle brush through it with warm detergent solution, and finish with a distilled water rinse. Stubborn deposits can be dissolved with a suitable dilute acid.

Last Updated: September 2026