Best way to clean a pipe

[clinton]

I have used an ultrasonic cleaning machine for a couple years. I use hot water (150f) and Cascade dishwasher detergent. Cascade is very caustic. I clean my pipe every time I use it. It takes only 20 secods to clean a pipe if done every week or less.

I just bought a second ultrasonic cleaner. The new one hold 2.5 liters of liquid. I can clean pieces up to 11 1/2 inches. With long used pipes, the first time you clean, a lot of carbon bound with tar may not come off by itself. A piece of wire can be used to pick at the thick deposits - pick and cleaning will clean the piece as clean as new. You can clean things which you can not physically reach (like double chambered bubblers) as long as there are holes for the ultrasonic energy to pass through. It will not penetrate glass without a hole due to the laws of reflection.

Tar is bad for your lungs. I can prove it as a new pipe hits much smoother than a dirty one.

This is THE BEST way to clean a piece. I know you can use salt and alchohol to clean, but this is never easy nor complete. You may use a solvent in the machines also but the water and Cascade really does clean well. There is no labor usually with these machines. I paid $25 for the 1/2 liter machine and $100 for the 2.5 liter - at Harbor Freight. Stuff made in China but good quality.

clinton

[PharmaPharmer]

I just use hot (170*F) Isopropyl Alcohol. It's dirt cheep and works realy well. After a soak I just pull the peice out and shake out the resin that clumps up in it. Then I use a toothpick or splint of wood t opick at deposits as wire can scratch the surface of the glass leading to breakage.

[mental marijuana]

Boiling water and oxyclean do the job for me. After that I run a little iso through it to remove any residue and done. Dirt cheap and really easy to do.

[In The Wind]

Formula 420 is the best thing I've found. Whatever the method, smoking with clean gear makes all the difference..

[GriM]

Formula 420 is the best thing I've found. Whatever the method, smoking with clean gear makes all the difference..i agree ....but when im broke i use iso in a container set on top of a air pump ...

[pflover]

That's a pritty cool tip. Thanx for passing it on. :)

[coralreef]

beer in me and soak the pipe in rubbing alcohol. does heating it up do anything special for it?

[ladybearjah2]

Rubbing alcho. & rocksalt, or rice. Messy, but cheap and instant......LADY

[clinton]

i agree ....but when im broke i use iso in a container set on top of a air pump ...
Formula 420 is mostly iso with orange oil and silica gel. The iso and orange oil does the work. I am lazy so I push a button - clean in 20 seconds. Dont get the Cascade in your eye.

clinton

[BUSH HATER!]

Boiling water and oxyclean do the job for me. After that I run a little iso through it to remove any residue and done. Dirt cheap and really easy to do.

Me too... they should rename that stuff Oxy-Bong. I pour some powder in the pipe, then drop the pipe in a glass of fresh-out-the-microwave boiling water with some more Oxy-Bong poured in at the same time. It goes off like a volcano and with a good rinse leaves the glass looking brand new. Do this in the sink or you'll have a huge mess.

d

[In The Wind]

Haha, OxyBong.

Sounds like an opportunity there twista..

[mental marijuana]

Oxy-Bong.

That gave me a great laugh this morning. I am thinking a new infomercial is in order.

[coralreef]

Oxy Bong - when your jackhammer is busy...

[Harvey W]

Hey Clinton -
Nice tip on the ultrasonic cleaner. I just picked one up at Harbor Freight for $40. Used clean iso alcohol instead of hot water and the dirtiest pipe cleans up brand new in just a few minutes. No work, pre-soaking, spilling, mess, tar and crap all over the kitchen, just a clean bong/pipe. Good one....
Peace
HW

[clinton]

Hey Clinton -
Nice tip on the ultrasonic cleaner. I just picked one up at Harbor Freight for $40. Used clean iso alcohol instead of hot water and the dirtiest pipe cleans up brand new in just a few minutes. No work, pre-soaking, spilling, mess, tar and crap all over the kitchen, just a clean bong/pipe. Good one....
Peace
HW
I own one of that model also. It rocks in speed cleaning and no mess. I bought a larger one which can clean 11 1/2 inch pipes. I have never used the iso cause the Cascade is so powerful, but I will give it a try.

clinton

[stealthtoker]

Formula 420 is the best thing I've found. Whatever the method, smoking with clean gear makes all the difference..

Big ditto on that one. I am very anal about the cleanliness of my utensils. Their everyday formula is sweet as hell too. Pricey, but works great.

[Harvey W]

:) :) :)
Clinton-
Can't thank you enough for this tip. I've got some intricate ash-catcher style slide bowls that can be a real P.I.T.A. to clean sometimes. The ultrasonic cleaner w/ iso cleans them up in a snap. No more pre-soaking!!!! No more salt n' shake!!! The professional way to clean your gear... I use the Cascade w/ hot water after to give it that "never-been-smoked" smell.
Thanks!
HW

[cannarchist]

I find the orange cleaners do well too...like goo gone...or of course Agent Orange, but can be pricy...I cannot use iso on my gourd pieces as it bleaches the outer finish (the price I pay for UV [fade] resistance and crystal clear finish) but I am going to try the oxy-bong method. I still like soaking my glass bowls in Agent Orange though...I put a dirty one in the mason jar full of AO and take out one that has been soaking and rinse in hot water...sparkling clean...then just keep rotating.

[clinton]

I think that the solvents used with an ultrasonic cleaner do the best job cleaning away very old tars EVEN inside spaces where you can not reach with a wire. No way to use salt. Also the bubble size in the ultrasonic machine is very tiny - not visable to the naked eye.They can penetrate every opening in the glass. Only thing is it is costly to just toss out the solvent and storage is messy with stinky liquid.

Yes orange oil is a good solvent for tars. I use isopropl.

The ultrasonic cleaner is way advanced over salt and iso. But you need $40-$100 to get one. It is worth it. Maybe share cost with friends and have a weekly smoke out and cleaning party.

clinton