How to Properly Clean Your Smoking Accessories
February 21, 2024
Don’t you hate it when you sit down to enjoy your favorite flower and end up with a mouth full of soot?
If you aren’t cleaning your smoking accessories, this could become a regular occurrence.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be.
Cannabis maintenance is an easy solution to smoking yesterday’s leftovers.
In this post, we’ll break down how to clean various smoking accessories and give a few bonus tips to make your job easier.
Happy cleaning!
Cleaning Smoking Accessories The Right Way
The quality of your smoking accessories depends on how well-maintained they are. To get started, gather some basic supplies, including:
- Pipe Cleaners or Cotton Swabs
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Ziplock Plastic Bag or Small Container
- Warm Water
How to Clean a Pipe
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to start cleaning.
First up is cleaning a pipe. Pipes are one of the most common smoking accessories, so this is an easy starting point.
Steps To Cleaning
Step 1. Disassemble Your Pipe
If your pipe has multiple parts, check with the manufacturer to find the best way to break it down for cleaning. Otherwise, move to step 2.
Step 2. Remove Excess Residue
Next, grab the pipe cleaners you gathered and remove the excess residue. Gently remove the debris from the stem, bowl, and other parts.
Step 3. Soak in Alcohol
Now, take alcohol and submerge the pipe in it in a container at least overnight and ideally for an entire day.
Step 4. Scrub
Once your pipe has been soaking for at least a few hours, it’s time to scrub the pipe. Once again, take out those pipe cleaners to get this done. For tight spots, twist the cleaners until they remove all residue.
Step 5. Rinse
Next up, rinse the pipe thoroughly with warm water to remove any alcohol from the pipe before using.
Step 6. Dry
Air-dry the pipe before reassembling it and using it. Watch how to clean a pipe here!
How to Clean A Bong
Materials Needed
- Alcohol
- Coarse Salt or Rice
- Cleaning Plugs
- Cleaning Brushes or Pipe Cleaners
- Rubber or Latex Gloves
- Plastic Bags or Containers
Step 1. Disassemble
Once again, disassemble your bong before cleaning. Again, refer to the manufacturer’s manual for complete instructions.
Step 2. Rinse
Next up, rinse your bong thoroughly.
Step 3. Soak in Alcohol
Once your bong is completely disassembled, soak it in alcohol. This helps loosen up the excess debris.
Step 4. Shake and Swirl
Bongs are essentially containers. Shake the alcohol around the bong and swirl it. This is an excellent way to shake up the residue.
Step 5. Soak Detachable Parts
Soak your bong in alcohol to loosen up debris in all parts of the device.
Step 6. Scrub
Use salt and a pipe scrubber to clean the bong.
Step 7. Rinse Again
Re-rinse the bong with water to remove any excess residue.
Step 8. Dry
Set your bong out overnight to dry it out.
Step 9. Reassemble
Reassemble your bong for use.
Step 10. Final Rinse
Rinse the bong again to ensure all the cleaner has been removed.
How to Clean A Grinder
Grinders are an important piece of the smoking accessory puzzle. They are used regularly to grind up bits of cannabis for more accessible smoking. If you use one, here’s an easy way to maintain it.
Step 1. Disassemble
Take the grinder apart by unscrewing the main compartments separating the lid, grinding chamber, and kief catcher if your grinder has one.
Step 2. Freeze
Freeze your disassembled grinder parts in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This step helps harden any residual plant matter, making removing any bits and pieces far easier.
Step 3. Scrubbing
Use a small brush, like a toothbrush or even a toothpick, to scrub away any stuck residue from the teeth and screen. You can use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol for tougher stains.
Step 4. Rinsing
Rinse all components of your grinder thoroughly with warm water and remove any remaining residue.
Step 5. Reassembly
Put your grinder back together once all the parts are dry and clean.
How to Clean A Vaporizer
Vaporizers are less common smoking accessories, but many people love them for their clean output. Here’s how to maintain them.
Step 1. Read the manual first!
Vaporizers are unique equipment and require a unique approach to cleaning them. Use your manual as a guide.
Step 2. Disassembly
Disassemble your vaporizer according to your manual.
Step 3. Brushing
Gather a soft bristle brush to gently swipe away any loose debris from the heating chamber, screen, and other components. Be careful not to damage delicate parts.
Step 4. Soaking
If your manufacturer approves, soak your vaporizer and disassemble parts in isopropyl alcohol. This helps break down stubborn residue. Of course, don’t soak electronic components or batteries.
Step 5. Rinsing and Drying
After soaking your device, rinse the parts thoroughly with warm water to remove any alcohol residue. Ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembly.
Step 6. Reassembly
Put the clean, dry components back together following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 7. Regular Maintenance
Clean your vaporizer consistently to prevent residue buildup. Routine cleaning after every few users helps maintain its performance.
How Often Should You Clean Your Smoking Accessories?
- Regular Maintenance: Aim for regular cleaning to prevent residue buildup. For daily or frequent users, cleaning every 1-2 weeks is advisable.
- Visual Inspection: Regularly check your smoking accessories for resin buildup or residue. If you notice significant residue, it’s time for cleaning.
- Usage Patterns: Heavy users might need to clean more frequently, possibly every few days, to maintain optimal functionality and flavor.
- Preventive Maintenance: Some users prefer a quick rinse or clean after each use to prevent residue buildup.
Bonus Tips for Cannabis Maintenance
Do Multiple Rinse Cycles
After cleaning your device, thoroughly rinse all components with hot water. Ensure no cleaning solution remains.
Make Sure Your Device Dries Properly
Allow all parts to air dry entirely before reassembling or using the accessory. Any residual moisture can affect the taste or integrity of the material.
Invest In Smoking Accessories
Invest in filter screens or removable parts to make cleaning more manageable and prevent direct buildup in the primary device.
Keep Your Gear In Prime Shape
Cannabis maintenance is an ongoing process. If you care about your smoking accessories, it’s important to continuously clean them.
Keep your gear in prime shape by investing a little extra time into maintaining them. Take a moment and give your smoking accessories the TLC they deserve.
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