3 Ways To Clean Your Pipe
- 1. Understanding the parts of a pipe
- 2. First way to clean your pipe: boiling water
- 2. a. Step 1: empty out any remains
- 2. b. Step 2: boil the water
- 2. c. Step 3: sinking your pipe
- 3. Method 2 for cleaning your pipe: salt & alcohol
- 3. a. Step 1: emptying the device
- 3. b. Step 2: the plastic bag and the alcohol
- 3. c. Step 3: adding the salt
- 3. d. Step 4: shake, shake, shake and shake some more
- 3. e. Step 5: rinse with water and repeat (if necessary)
- 4. Ways to clean your pipe number 3: using alternative cleaning solutions
- 5. How to keep your pipe clean
- 6. Signs you should clean your pipe
- 7. The bottom line
When it comes to the ways of consuming marijuana, the options are uncountable, from the traditional joint, blunt or spliff; the ultra stoner bong or pipe; the high-of-your-life edibles; or even as cosmetics in lotions, topicals, and transdermals.
Every true stoner has tried at least a couple of the methods listed before at least once in their lives. In fact, we can assure you that almost every stoner has at least some of the basic stoner paraphernalia, which undoubtedly includes the essential rolling gear, a bong, and a pipe.
And when this stoner paraphernalia is concerned, there are a few basic procedures that every stoner should follow, but which most of the times aren't the case. This meaning especially the cleaning part, some stoners aren't the best at being polished and tidy, which is okay, until you see their smoking pipe and you cringe at the sight.
So don't be that stoner who welcomes you with a stinky pipe, full of burned leftovers, where the glass is opaque and dirty with spots all over. Learn what are the best ways to clean a pipe.
1. Understanding The Parts Of A Pipe
Knowing how to identify the different parts of a pipe might be of good use if we want to be able to explain how to clean each of them further into the article, so that's exactly what we're going to do now: explain the parts of a pipe.
The parts of a pipe are:
- The chamber: it is normally the neck, a.k.a. tube, through which the smoke will travel all the way from the bowl and into your lungs.
- The carb or carburetor hole: this is the small but most crucial part of the pipe, it's the small hole that helps regulate the airflow as you smoke.
- The bowl: it is that part that looks like a tiny container connected to the downstem, where you're meant to place the marijuana to be smoked.
- The mouthpiece: well, there's no big science in this one, it's the part where you're supposed to set your lips and absorb in all the magic.
And that's about it, it was super simple, right? Now let's continue on with the best ways to clean your smoking device.
2. First Way to Clean Your Pipe: Boiling Water
The first easiest and most simple way to clean your pipe is using boiling water. For this method you won't even need any crazy materials, you can find everything you need at home, or you should.
Step 1: Empty Out Any Remains
The first part of cleaning your smoking device, with any of the chosen methods will be to empty out any ash or burnt plant matter remnants from the pipe's bowl.
Chuck on a couple of gloves to avoid getting the stinky scent on your hands, which will be quite hard to get rid of afterward. You can get aid with a stick or your fingers to scratch off any stubborn pieces, or try swabbing them with cotton and some warm water.
Step 2: Boil The Water
If we want to use boiling water to clean our smoking device then bringing the water to a boil just sounds logical. Take a small pot, big enough so that the pipe fits inside completely, and let it reach its boiling point.
Step 3: Sinking Your Pipe
Once your water has reached its boiling point, place your pipe inside carefully, making sure it's completely covered in water. And keep in mind that boiling water evaporates, so you'll need to keep an eye on the pot to make sure your smoking device doesn't run out of water, otherwise, it might lead to a sad turn of events: your pipe cracking.
After you've let your pipe simmer in your boiling water for about 20 to 30 minutes, turn off the heat, take the pot and drain out the water. Be careful as the thing will likely be burning hot, so chuck on some oven mittens to protect yourself.
Extra Warning!When you heat glass up to high temperatures, you should never, ever, pour cold water on it or it will end up cracking the glass. So, if you want to cool down your pipe, just wait!
Check if there's any excess residue and repeat the process until you're happy with the results, or combine it with one of the following methods to clean your pipe.
3. Method 2 for Cleaning Your Pipe: Salt & Alcohol
Now, if you've tried cleaning your smoking device with boiling water and it didn't meet your expectations, or if you would rather go for a more invasive, as to say, method, then try using rubbing alcohol and salt.
Here are the supplies you'll need to clean your pipe:
- Gloves, optional but recommended;
- A bottle of 90% isopropyl or rubbing alcohol;
- Kosher, Epsom or sea salt;
- A plastic Ziploc bag;
- And q-tips and/or cotton swabs.
Now, once you've gathered your supplies, let's get to the procedure.
Step 1: Emptying the Device
Before you start cleaning your pipe, you'll need to remove any burnt plant matter and ashes from the bowl. But you do know this already, although if you do, then how come the thing got so dirty? Gotcha.
With the help of any pointy object, such as a paperclip, a needle, pipe cleaner, or any similar instrument, make sure you remove all the bits that are easy to access and take out. You can also rinse with warm water for that extra push.
Step 2: The Plastic Bag and The Alcohol
At this stage, the type of alcohol you use can really make a difference. Try getting 90% isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol in everyday words, as it will really get the job done, way more than a more watered solution.
Fill your plastic Ziploc bag with your rubbing alcohol until it's enough to cover the device entirely later. Place it inside and let it sit for a couple of minutes. The alcohol will by breaking down any stubborn pieces of resin that might be stuck on your pipe.
Step 3: Adding the Salt
After you've allowed the pipe to sit in the alcohol for a couple of minutes, it's time to add some extra into the plastic bag.
Now when we say some extra salt, what we actually mean is a generous amount of salt.
The salt will act as a mild abrasive in the mix, allowing you to scrub off any residual particles. At the same time, it will help you reach those spots that wouldn't be easily accessed with a brush or a sponge.
The type of salt you use, whether it's Epsom, kosher, sea salt, or any other thicker type of salt depends only on your preferences.
Step 4: Shake, Shake, Shake and Shake Some More
Now that you've got your dough ready it's time to knead! Close your plastic Ziploc bag sealed, maybe head outside for that extra precaution and shake your bag and the pipe for at least some solid 90 seconds to 2 minutes, or until you can see that the device has cleaned.
For that extra push, slip your hand inside the bag, try to cover the holes of the body, and shake it so that you can clean the chamber of the pipe better.
Step 5: Rinse With Water and Repeat (If Necessary)
Once you've shaken your pipe parts so much that you end up like Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times, it's time to take out the pipe from the plastic bag, rinse it with water and repeat the process if you consider it necessary.
As a final touch, you can use the help of pipe cleaners, q-tips, or cotton swabs to scrub out stubborn stains stuck in the corners.
4. Ways to Clean Your Pipe Number 3: Using Alternative Cleaning Solutions
Now if you don't have any rubbing alcohol at home, there are still some alternative solutions you can make with other products you have at home, such as:
- Sand and water;
- Simple Green cleaner;
- Salt and vinegar;
- Baking soda and vinegar;
- Or 2 or 3 denture tablets.
For this, all you need is to repeat the same steps as in the rubbing alcohol and salt method mentioned above.
5. How to Keep Your Pipe Clean
So now you know that cleaning a pipe that has been accumulating dust, burnt matter and resin for long periods isn't such a pleasurable task, perhaps it's time to rethink your habits and start cleaning it with more frequency, ideally, every time after you use it.
And no, this doesn't mean you should do any of these 3 ways of cleaning a pipe methods each time, all it takes is removing the dirt inside the bowl and that's about it.
Don't roll your eyes at us, it really is so simple. Besides, like this, you'll save yourself the effort of cleaning it next time you want to use it, and even the tougher job of removing stubborn, super-old stains, in case you don't usually clean it.
Try to preserve it clean given, we can bet that you could taste the taste difference after you tried your brand new cleaned pipe.
5. Signs You Should Clean Your Pipe
As a first sign you should clean your smoking device it's the fact that you can't remember when was the last time you've cleaned it, or not even remembering if you've ever actually cleaned the thing.
Some of the signs that you should clean your pipe include:
| Stinky smell | If your device doesn't smell too good that's because you should definitely have cleaned it already. |
|---|---|
| Slimy film | If you notice there is a slimy film covering your pipe this means that bacteria are gathering on it, which isn't too healthy for your lungs. |
| Resin building up | A sign that resin is building up on your pipe is seeing discoloration and a sticky thin layer on it. The longer you let it accumulate, the harder it'll be getting rid of it later. |
| Black or grey specks | If you can spot black or greyish specks all over your smoking tool, this means some ash has gotten inside of it. |
5. The Bottom Line
There are few things less attractive than a lousy hygiene, this is true for everything in life, people, homes and stoner paraphernalia. So don't be that person that looks as if they haven't showered for weeks, or who smokes on a dirty pipe. Besides, a dirty pipe is just about the best way to kill the delicious green and foresty taste of marijuana that we love oh so much. So do yourself a favor, clean your smoking devices. And keep cleaning it. Don't forget that the more love you put into doing things, the more you'll notice it in the results.
