Cannabis sales in America look set to hit $57 billion by 2026, reports BSDA. Who can blame you for lighting up and kicking back with your friends?
Your one-hitter pipe is one of the most efficient ways to get a lift. It's discreet and small enough for smoking cannabis on the move.
But none of your pals will thank you for pulling out a blackened, tarry wonder at your next party. Why spend money on the best cannabis when your pipe is filthy?
Cleaning looks like a lot of work, especially after a few hits. But a clean pipe is worth it for taste, health, and social credit!
Our guide can help make your one-hitter shine. Read on for 7 tips for a clean pipe.
1. PREPARE YOUR SPACE AND TAKE YOUR TIME
Smoking cannabis makes a mess of your pipe. Cleaning said pipe can make a mess on your surfaces, so choose the right spot. Kitchen counters work well, but make sure you put down some coverings to catch that sticky tar.
Clear your work surface and move any breakable objects. Carry your cat out of the room, if you have one!
It can take up to an hour to get a clean pipe, including drying. Set aside some time for this. Rushing increases the chances of damaging your glass pipe or smoking a wet one.
2. CLEAN YOUR ONE-HITTER PIPE WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS
There are tons of fancy pipe-cleaning tools for sale online. All you really need are a few household items and one or two things from your local hardware store. So here goes:
- Isopropyl alcohol at 90% or higher
- Sea or rock salt
- 2 or 3 medium- to large-zipped plastic bags
- Warm water and a basin
- Paper towels
- Q-tips or pipe cleaners
Isopropyl alcohol is an effective solvent for getting rid of the resin and tar on your one-hitter. It leaves minimal residue or taste, unlike more toxic alternatives.
That said, isopropyl alcohol is potentially dangerous and flammable. You should treat it with respect.
If you struggle to find isopropyl alcohol or you want to stay 100% natural, you can use vinegar and salt. Vinegar and baking soda also work. Lemon water works at a push, but don't expect fast results.
3. KEEP YOUR WATER COOL
Yes, your glass pipe can stand naked flames, but boiling water can damage it. Submersion in boiling water at room temperature can crack or weaken your pipe. Warming is better than scolding.
Boiling water does kill bacteria, true, but it can also kill your pipe. Besides, alcohol and vinegar kill germs too.
Now, we assume you have a glass one-hitter pipe. If you have a metal pipe, it can stand boiling water during cleaning. But that is another story.
4. KEEP A BACKUP PIPE HANDY
Once you have a taste for your one-hitter, papers can fail to do the trick. Keep a second one-hitter or other pipe options in your house. This keeps you covered in case your friends drop by in a flash.
You want to give your one-hitter pipe enough time to dry after cleaning. This makes sure all the water has evaporated and any odors have disappeared. A backup pipe makes sure you can still smoke when your one-hitter is wet.
Bongs work too, but not everyone likes them, and they attract attention outside. You can always roll, but pipes are way more efficient, give you a better buzz, and waste less of your stash.
5. SOAK YOUR ONE-HITTER FOR 30 TO 60 MINUTES
Pour enough isopropyl alcohol or vinegar into a ziplock to submerge your one-hitter pipe. Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of salt or baking soda.
Now make sure your pipe is covered in the solution, then zip the bag and give it a good shake. You should see the solution turn dark fast; that's the resin and tar leaving your soon-to-be clean pipe.
Try to guide the alcohol and salt solution through your pipe. Fill the hard-to-reach areas and keep shaking to rub the tar off your glass.
Let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Longer is better.
6. RINSE, SCRUB, AND LEAVE IT TO DRY
Pour away that tarry nastiness. Now rinse your one-hitter pipe with warm water a few times. You should see it sparkle already.
Use your Q-tips or pipe cleaners to reach inside and remove any stubborn residue. Rinse it again to make sure all the cleaning solution is gone.
Everyone has different standards of cleanliness when it comes to pipes. But you came this far, right? Do a proper job now, and when you're next smoking cannabis, you can pat yourself on the back.
Pat your glass down with a towel or cloth. Air-dry your cannabis pipe until it is ready for use. If you're in a rush, a hairdryer works wonders.
7. MAKE CLEANING PART OF YOUR ROUTINE
Yeah, we get it; cleaning sounds boring, right? But even the most horizontal cannabis user will enjoy a clean pipe. It tastes better, and it saves you from breathing in leftover resin from your last session.
Don't let tar gather en masse on your glass. Make the job easier with regular cleaning. Once a week is enough for most cannabis users, but keep an eye on the transparency of your piece for cleaning clues.
If you invest in some of the best cannabis around, you want to taste its full flavor. The bitter, acrid taste of old tar is enough to ruin anyone's day. Treat your herb with respect, and use a clean pipe.
TAKE ONE AND PASS IT ALONG
We hope our guide helped you clean your one-hitter pipe like a pro. A clean pipe makes your stash taste better. Plus, you won't gross out your friends with a tarry mess the next time you hang out.
Giggle Glass stocks the latest glass pipes for your smoking pleasure. We are true glass enthusiasts, and we believe it is the cleanest, tastiest way to enjoy this herb. We keep an eye on legality and evolve with the times.
Check out our range of smoking accessories. Contact our team today!
