If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and well-maintained. A dirty bong can ruin your smoking experience by making your hits harsher, dulling the flavor of your smoke, and exposing you to mold and bacteria. Not to mention, it looks unsightly and unhygienic.
Fortunately, cleaning a glass bong is not a difficult task, and you can do it with some simple household materials. In this blog post, we will show you how to prevent your glass bong from getting clogged or dirty with resin or ash, and how to clean it when it does.
How to Prevent Your Glass Bong from Getting Clogged or Dirty?
The best way to prevent your glass bong from getting clogged or dirty is to change the water in your bong after every smoke session. This will help flush out any resin or ash that may accumulate in the water, and prevent them from sticking to the walls of your bong. It will also keep your water fresh and clear, which will improve the taste and quality of your smoke.
Another way to prevent your glass bong from getting clogged or dirty is to use a screen or a filter in your bowl. This will prevent any large pieces of herb or tobacco from falling into the stem or the water chamber, which can cause blockages and reduce airflow. You can use metal screens, glass screens, or even organic materials like hemp wick or cotton balls.
A third way to prevent your glass bong from getting clogged or dirty is to avoid overpacking your bowl. This will ensure that your herb or tobacco burns evenly and completely, leaving less residue behind. It will also prevent combustion, which can produce more tar and toxins in your smoke. A good rule of thumb is to fill your bowl no more than halfway, and tamp it lightly with your finger.
How to Clean Your Glass Bong?
Even if you follow the above tips, you will still need to clean your glass bong regularly to keep it in optimal condition. A deep cleaning is recommended at least once a week, depending on how often you use your bong. Here are some steps to follow:
- Detach the smaller parts and rinse them with hot water. Separate any removable pieces from the bong, like the bowl, the slide, and the stem. Run each of them under hot water for 1-2 minutes to loosen any stubborn debris, and to wash away any bits that aren’t especially stuck.
- Place the parts in a plastic bag with isopropyl alcohol and salt. Gently set the bowl, slide, stem and any other small parts into a resealable plastic bag or a food storage tub. Then, add enough 91% isopropyl alcohol to cover the parts, and spoon in 1-2 tbsp (17-34 g) of coarse salt. Rubbing alcohol helps break down the old tar or resin stuck to the parts, and salt acts as an abrasive to scrub the gunk away.
- Shake the pieces in the bags gently, then let them soak for 4-5 hours. Carefully jostle the bag for 2-3 minutes, distributing the abrasive salt into the nooks and crannies of the small parts. Take care not to shake too roughly or damage the bong parts. Then, set the bag down and let the parts soak for 4-5 hours to let the alcohol work its way into the gunk and grime.
- Rinse the parts with warm water and let them dry. After soaking, pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse the parts thoroughly with warm water. Make sure no alcohol or salt are left behind, as they can affect the taste of your smoke. Then, let the parts air dry on a towel or a rack for about an hour.
- Fill your bong with isopropyl alcohol and salt, shake it up, then let it soak. For the main body of your bong, fill it halfway with 91% isopropyl alcohol and add 4 tbsp (68 g) of coarse salt. Plug the holes with paper towels or rubber stoppers, then shake the bong over the sink for 4-5 minutes. Be careful not to drop or break your bong while shaking it.
- Scrub the inside of the bong with a bong brush or a sponge, then rinse it out with hot water and let it air dry. After shaking, pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and use a bong brush or a sponge to scrub the inside of the bong. Pay special attention to any hard-to-reach areas, like the base or the neck. Then, rinse the bong with hot water and let it air dry for about an hour.
- Repeat if necessary. If your bong is still dirty or clogged after the first cleaning, you may need to repeat the process. You can also let the parts soak in alcohol overnight for a more thorough cleaning. Alternatively, you can use a commercial bong cleaner or white vinegar instead of isopropyl alcohol, but they may not be as effective.
And that’s it! You now have a sparkling clean glass bong that will deliver smooth and flavorful hits. Enjoy your smoke session, and don’t forget to change the water and clean your bong regularly.
