How to Get Reclaim Out of a Bong or Dab Rig
Smoke MEGA |
If you use your water pipe frequently, sticky buildup is inevitable. But before you start cleaning, you need to know exactly what is stuck inside your glass. If you are smoking dry flower out of a bong[cite: 3036], that black tar is resin—you want to dissolve it and throw it straight in the trash.
However, if you are vaporizing wax out of a dab rig[cite: 3010], that golden buildup is reclaim. Reclaim is simply re-condensed concentrate. It is highly potent, completely reusable, and worth saving.
Whether you want to harvest your reclaim for future sessions or just want to scrub your glass clean for a smoother pull, here are the three best ways to get reclaim out of your rig.
Method 1: The Hot Water Flush (Best for Saving Reclaim)
If you want to harvest the reclaim stuck inside the main water chamber of your rig, you cannot use alcohol (because you would have to wait days for the harsh chemicals to safely evaporate). Hot water is the safest extraction method.
- Dump the old, dirty water out of your rig.
- Place a piece of non-stick parchment paper or a silicone dab mat flat on your counter.
- Boil a pot of water. Let it sit for a minute so it isn't at a rolling boil (you do not want to crack cold glass with sudden extreme heat).
- Carefully pour the hot water through the mouthpiece of your rig.
- The heat will instantly melt the golden reclaim off the glass walls. Quickly pour the water and the melted reclaim out through the joint, letting it pool onto your parchment paper.
- Once the water fully evaporates, you will be left with a clean sheet of usable reclaim.
Method 2: The Torch Technique (For Bangers & Drop-Downs)
Most of your reclaim will naturally collect in your quartz banger [cite: 3034] or your glass drop-down attachment. This is the easiest reclaim to harvest.
Remove the banger or drop-down from your rig. Hold it carefully with a pair of tongs over a silicone slick container or parchment paper. Take your butane torch and gently wave the flame over the outside of the glass. You do not want to blast it with heat; you just want to warm the glass enough to make the sticky wax turn into a liquid. Within seconds, the reclaim will effortlessly drip out of the glass and into your container.
Method 3: The Iso Wash (Best for a Deep Clean)
Sometimes, your glass is just too dirty and you don't care about saving the reclaim—you just want a fresh, clean draw. If you are ready to trash the buildup, this is the fastest method.
Pour 90% (or higher) isopropyl alcohol and a handful of coarse sea salt directly into the chamber. Plug the mouthpiece and the joint with your thumbs, and shake the rig vigorously for two minutes. The alcohol strips the sticky reclaim from the glass, and the coarse salt scrubs the hard-to-reach percolators. Rinse thoroughly with warm tap water, and your rig will look brand new.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I smoke reclaim?
Yes. Because it has already been activated by heat, reclaim can be re-vaporized in your rig, mixed into edibles, or even capped into pills. Just keep in mind that it will not have the fresh, terpene-rich flavor of new concentrates.
2. Why is my rig clogging with reclaim so fast?
You are likely pulling too hard. If you inhale too aggressively, you literally suck the liquid concentrate down the neck of the banger before it has a chance to vaporize. Pull slowly and steadily to let the heat do the work.
3. Can I use boiling water on a cold glass rig?
No! Pouring boiling water into cold glass will cause thermal shock, and your favorite piece will instantly crack in your hands. Always run warm tap water through your rig first to gradually raise the temperature of the glass before using hot water to melt the reclaim.
