The 6 slitts have glass beads separating them into a matrix, the overflow chamber isn't quite a recycler but does keep water from bubbling into the main rig.

There isn't a hole in the bottom of the matrix, but that's proved to be a benefit. When it's drawn on, water resting in the down-stem pulls up and out into it's chamber similar to a first stage honeycomb.

The website says this ash catcher has a slitted downstem with an open hole, but mine didn't have an open hole at the bottom. Which was actually one of the selling points for why I purchased his particular one. I enjoy the piece, but that should be fixed in the description.