How To Clean A Weed Pipe

Compared to more modern, intricately designed bongs and vaporizers, weed pipes may seem outdated. That’s because, in many ways, there are.

However, weed pipes are still a perennial favorite, and let’s face it, no smoker’s collection is complete without one. The reason for this is their wide availability, ease of use, range of styles, and affordability. 

However, as much as we all love a good pipe, they can be an absolute nightmare to clean. Without regular cleaning, residue can build up negatively affecting our weed’s flavor and smoking experience. 

If you want to avoid this issue, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will show you the different ways you can clean your weed pipe and why it is important. 

How To Clean A Weed Pipe

If that sounds good, be sure to keep reading!

Why Is It Important To Clean Your Weed Pipes?

Cleaning your weed pipes can be a real pain. We just want to get home and enjoy the top-shelf weed we’ve just bought from the pot shop but instead have to spend time cleaning our pipe first.

Although this is an annoying situation, it is crucial that you clean your pipe. If you don’t clean your pipes, to put it simply, your weed experience will be terrible.

Over time, the inside of the pipe will become caked in a disgusting brown lumpy crud. This crud makes your smoke taste like a charred bog log, no matter how good or sweet the buds are. 

Aside from this extremely disappointing taste, a filthy pipe can also pose a hazardous threat. Just like how cannabis can sprout mold after being grown in poor conditions, pipes containing layers of leftover tar do the same.

Those of you with poor immune systems, allergies, respiratory disease, or asthma can get very sick as a result of this poor hygiene. 

Now you have a better understanding of why cleaning your pipes is important, let’s take a look at the best way to clean them.

How To Clean Your Weed Pipe

Cleaning your cannabis pipe is actually very easy and not very time-consuming. Below, you’ll find the most common ways people clean their pipes. 

Alcohol And Salt

Alcohol And Salt

One of, if not the most common way people clean their cannabis pipe, is by using alcohol and salt. One of the oldest and most reliable methods, this cleaning technique needs alcohol sold in drug stores, not alcohol found in your local liquor store.

For this method, you can use a drug store alcohol or ultra-concentrated isopropyl with an alcohol content of 91%. In terms of the salt required, things are easier. You can use Epsom salt, sea salt, or regular table salt. If you don’t have any salt, sugar crystals also work.

Once you have the two ingredients, you can begin to clean your pipe. First, you should take your salt and pour it into the pipe, filling the pipe to around 10 to 25%.

Then, pour the alcohol into the pipe. Once the alcohol has been added make sure some crystals are still visible and that they haven’t all dissolved. If they have, add some more.

Now you need to plug the ends of your pipe and start shaking it vigorously. This will clean your pipe well. It is worth noting that dirtier pipes may need cleaning two or three times.

After you’ve given the pipe a good shake, empty the contents down the toilet. Avoid putting it down the sink as it will leave a nasty smell. 

Before using the pipe again, rinse it out well with water. This ensures no nasty smells or tastes are left behind.

Prepackaged Pipe Cleaning Product

Luckily for us, as legal cannabis has grown in popularity, so has the number of companies providing specific pipe cleaning solutions. Cleaning out a filthy pipe can be hard, especially when the tar is thick and oily. Sometimes we simply require a professional product to get the job done. 

While there are several good options on the market, one of our favorites is the Grand Master Soak & Wash pipe cleaner. Capable of cleaning extremely dirty pipes and bongs, there is no need to shake your glass pipes around. Simply place your pipes in the natural formula and let them soak.

Once they have soaked, simply wash the formula off. The beauty of using professional cleaning solutions is that they can reach the areas we can’t normally access when cleaning by hand. 

Normally made from eco-friendly ingredients like vinegar and citric acid, these sorts of cleaning products are well worth a try.

Vodka And Your Microwave

If you don’t have any salt or pipe cleaning products but happen to have some vodka leftover from the night before, you’re in luck. Vodka acts as a great pipe cleaner because it powerfully cleans in little time. It is also the only ingredient you might need to buy.

To clean your pipe using vodka and your microwave, start by filling a decent-sized cup or bowl with equal parts tap water and vodka.

After that, stick the mixture in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. The length of time needed will depend on the power of your microwave. You just need the water to be hot. 

Once the water gets hot, dip your pipe in and give it a good swirl. This should give your pipe a good enough clean if you’re short on time.

You MUST remember not to put your pipe in the microwave when using this method. You could not only ruin your pipe but also potentially cause a fire.

Boiling Water

Boiling Water

If you find yourself extremely short on time and want a nice quick fix to start smoking sooner, you can give your pipe a good clean with boiling water.

The most basic way to clean a weed pipe, this method requires you to boil a pot of water before dropping your pipe in.

While the cannabis resin can’t be dissolved, the heat will cause the tar to melt. The tar will most likely stay in the pipe. If this happens grab a small brush or scraper and remove the gunk.

You should be aware that thinner pipes and bongs will most likely burst in boiling water. Only use thicker pipes when doing this method and don’t leave them for too long. Your pipes are also more likely to get scratched or dented.

Final Thoughts

If you want to enjoy your cannabis smoking experience or simply ensure you stay as healthy as possible when smoking, cleaning your pipe is an absolute must. Cleaning your pipe removes any gunk, keeping the smoke flowing nicely through the pipe, in turn giving you the best flavors.

In this post, we have provided you with four of the best ways to clean your pipe. While using a professional product and using salt and alcohol offer the most success, if you’re in a rush using vodka, water, and microwave or just boiling water can also offer a thorough clean.

Now you know why and how to clean your weed pipes, it’s time to get them out and start cleaning to ensure you’re ready for your next smoke. 

Scott Peters
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