One of the best, most widely used, and simplest to clean materials for smoking accessories is glass. Glass pipes can be easily cleaned; all you need is some patience and some common household items.
Shake the pipe vigorously after adding rubbing alcohol and coarse salt to remove the resin.
We’ll discuss the benefits of cleaning your glass pipes as well as some different approaches you can take.
Table of Contents
Importance Of Cleaning Glass Pipe
The most straightforward response to this query is that using a glass pipe to regularly smoke marijuana—whether it’s a water pipe, hand-held pipe, or anything in between—leaves it very dirty. I don’t know about you, but we really value the clean pipe’s crisp, elegant presence over a dirty one.
Beyond just keeping it looking good, regular cleaning also guarantees that your pipe is operating at its best. Ash and residue can cause your pipe to clog, and smoke generally has a harder time passing through the device when it is filled with these substances. As a result, when you smoke from a dirty pipe, you don’t get as much smoke and the smoke isn’t as pure as it would be from a clean pipe.
Additionally, soiled pipes are more likely to catch fire. The remainder, specifically, is prone to catching fire. Your pipe runs the risk of igniting if it accumulates a lot of residue, ash, and partially burned cannabis (you need fire to light your fresh cannabis).
Take it from us, inhaling pipe residue that has caught on fire is not a pleasant experience. It hurts your throat, has a bad taste, and has some health risks. First and foremost, you risk getting burnt if the pipe residue you’re using catches fire. Additionally, smoking from a dirty pipe exposes you to carcinogens found in the ash and residue of burnt cannabis.
You should always clean your cannabis pipe because it tastes better, in addition to the health, safety, and appearance benefits. Yes, it is that easy! But for those who value the full cannabis consumption experience, it’s significant. You can taste the strain you’re using more clearly and intensely when your pipe is clean because there won’t be any ash or residue obstructing the smoke’s passage.
How To Clean A Glass Pipe
It is very easy to clean a glass pipe, and all you need are some common household items. While the salt creates friction to remove any particularly challenging bits, the alcohol aids in the removal of resin and bacteria.
What You Need
- Isopropyl alcohol (90% preferably, 70% minimum)
- Zip-top bag
- Coarse salt (optional)
- Cotton swabs (optional)
Steps
- Salt and isopropyl alcohol should be added to the pipe. For every four inches of pipe, add about a teaspoon of salt, and then almost all the way with alcohol. Even though you can omit it if you don’t have coarse salt on hand, it will aid in getting rid of particularly hard-to-budge gunk.
- Shake the pipe. Fill the holes with your fingers and shake it briskly for up to two minutes. To avoid spills while shaking, you can also place the pipe inside a small zip-top bag and plug the holes with your fingers on the outside.
- Pour the mixture out. After pouring the salt-alcohol solution out, assess the amount of buildup that has been eliminated and repeat as necessary. When there is little to no debris left behind and the alcohol flows clear, it is clean. Cotton swabs should be used at this point to get into the nooks and crannies, advises David Morrissey, owner of Cannabis Experts, a business that provides goods and services to the cannabis industry.
- Soak the piece. If you find that this method isn’t working (i.e., there are still a lot of stuck-on bits inside the piece), Morrissey advises soaking the item for several hours or overnight. In this situation, put the pipe in a zip-top bag (like this reusable silicone one made for cleaning pipes) and fill it with isopropyl alcohol until it is completely submerged.
- Let it dry. After cleaning the pipe to your satisfaction, rinse it with warm water and let it air dry completely for one to two hours before using.
Easy Tips For Keeping Glass Pipe Clean
For both herb and cannabis smokers, glass pipes are the preferred smoking method. However, our dependable glassware becomes more soiled the more we use it. When left behind, natural tar, resins, and other particles and residue can have some very unpleasant side effects if they are not routinely removed.
Using a filthy glass pipe to smoke is not a good idea, start. Unclean pipes can produce concentrated toxins and serve as a haven for mold and bacteria. Not to mention that any buildup in your glass pipe can release unpleasant odors and flavors that ruin your experience and turn what would have been some seriously tasty bud into a bitter waste.
There is much discussion regarding the best method for properly cleaning glass pipes when it comes to this particular task. Some people would rather not use any kind of chemical or synthetic soap, while others believe that using commercially available detergents is the only way to get rid of stubborn resin.
PRO TIP: Resin that has been allowed to accumulate for a longer period of time will be more difficult to get rid of, frequently requiring more time, effort, and yes, even harsh detergents. Regular glass pipe maintenance will not only make your life simpler, but you’ll also be able to use more natural solutions to keep your glass squeaky clean in between smoking sessions.
Is It Possible To Clean A Glass Pipe Without Rubbing Alcohol?
Most experts and regular smokers will agree that the alcohol and salt method is the simplest, most affordable, and most efficient approach. Morrissey claims that despite his prior attempts to clean pipes using water and dish soap, he always returns to using alcohol because it leaves very little residue behind and has powerful antibacterial properties.
Even though isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt will undoubtedly do the trick, many cannabis users also turn to specialized cleaners because they often work more quickly and require less direct attention.
Many people suggest Grunge Off, a product that can be used without salt, alcohol, or shaking.
Just pour the solution into the pipe, let it stand for at least 30 minutes or overnight, and then rinse with warm water.
The Bottom Line
Glass pipes are the preferred smoking method for both cannabis and herb users. But the more we use our reliable glasses, the dirtier they become. Cleaning your glass pipe regularly will keep it functioning properly and enhance the flavor and aroma of your cannabis.
Regular users are advised to clean their pipes once a week, or at the very least whenever they notice resin buildup, according to experts. The most common technique is to fill the pipe with coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol, plug the holes with your fingers and shake the pipe vigorously to remove any resin and particles that may be stuck inside.
