Pipes - Clean pipe after every use? I NEED YOUR HELP!

[ItWasABadDream]

Is it a good idea for SWIM to let hot water run through his pipe after each use? SWIM recently got a chillum for the times he desires to smoke undercover, perhaps in a public place, without being noticed. He feels as if he let hot water run through his pipe after each smoke session that the smell of the pipe might not be so strong. SWIM thought that was a great idea until he slept on it. The next day, SWIM began to wonder whether or not it would cause mold to build up in the pipe. Any advice anyone? Is it good or bad for one to run hot water through his/her pipe after each smoke session to slightly avoid resin buildup or will it likely cause mold to build within the pipe? SWIM has a total of 4 glass pieces and has never seen mold within them, but has also never let them run under water after each use. Your experience is much appreciated!!!

PS, SWIM's chillum is made of glass (obviously).

[Johan73]

Swim isn't sure about the chillum, but swim has noticed with a water bong, even rinsing it out multiple times with hot tap water still leaves it with a smokey smell. Swim noticed that putting even a small amount of rubbing alcohol in the bong and then adding a bit of hot water, swishing it around for about 20 seconds, then dumping it out reduces the smell a lot. Also the alcohol might help to evaporate the water in there to alleviate any mold concern? Although carrying a bottle of rubbing alcohol around is probably not practical but works for home use.

[RaverHippie]

The things you are trying to clean off using water are not water soluble. As suggested above, some sort of alcohol or other solvent will get rid of the smell.

Of course the glass pipe will not develop mold. Have you heard of water pipes? those have water constantly in a chamber and depending on how reliable and clean of a smoker you are, the water can stay in there for days/weeks at a time. Just a lot of paranoia on your friend's part.

[Taken]

Iv heard of people boiling there pipes in water. Like this: Boil some water in a pot. Place 5 or 6 paper towels on the bottom so the pipe doesn't get to hot. Place the pipe in for a few minuets and then clean out with pipe cleaner. and Wash. I found that guide some ware some day, don't remember ware

I wouldn't worry about mold, but if Swiy wants to Wiy could probably put the pipe in the oven (on top of foil) at like 250 degrease for a few minuets.

If Swiy smokes in public the best thing to use is a one hitter the looks like a sig. You can get um real cheap online ($<10). Also some of the more $ ones come with a box that has a hole that swiy can stick the pipe in and fill it with weed. Swim has only seen some one do this.

Haha Swim must have looked retarded smoking from those at concerts.. Cough. Cough. Cough.

Public smoking is fun. Just don't get caught.

[Synchronium]

Acetone works great for cleaning out pipes.

SWIM once combined some kind of alcohol (propan-1-ol, methanol or ethanol) with some acetone and naphtha to make a bong cleaning solution. The idea being that at least one of those things ought to dissolve the water-insoluble residue. SWIM also tried decanting some acetone into a sink of hot water, then soaking the glassware in that for a while. Any remaining gunk will come off easily with a pipe cleaner or tissue (see below).

Probably the most effective method swim ever found was using toilet paper. He added a little acetone to a large quantity of it, and then forced as much of it down the stem as possible, twisting it as it went in. This not only cleaned the pipe better (it twists when it goes in, instead of just going straight in), but also made the tissue much stronger so it didn't break off in the pipe.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Solid information about cleaning off residue.

[RedBaron]

Yeah that Isopropyl 90% alcohol works like a charm. Swim usually cleans out his pipe quite regularly too, just as you get to taste the green a lot better without all that resin caking the glass.

[Johan73]

Yes swim likes that isopropyl alcohol for the cleaning as well. It really takes out the funk unlike just water. Swim usually uses the 90% but sometimes they have only 70%. Plus alcohol might help kill any mold/bacteria/etc that might be getting in there, except it probably wouldn't be capable of killing the nastiest things.

The 160 proof vodka would probably work also. Actually the price for that vodka is not much more than the IPA, plus it can be used for other purposes!

[rhcpeppers1234]

Swiy, resin build up in a piece is a GOOD thing. It makes it smoke better and as use continues it gets you a tiny, tiny bit higher every time you use it. Swiy does not need to worry about mold building up either. Swim has never had this problem and has never heard of anyone who has had it either. If swiy is worried about the smell, store it with some patchouli root. That shit works wonders

Reputation Comments on this post:

Pro storage tip!

[RedBaron]

Originally Posted by rhcpeppers1234

Swiy, resin build up in a piece is a GOOD thing. It makes it smoke better and as use continues it gets you a tiny, tiny bit higher every time you use it. Swiy does not need to worry about mold building up either. Swim has never had this problem and has never heard of anyone who has had it either. If swiy is worried about the smell, store it with some patchouli root. That shit works wonders

The resin does indeed get you a bit higher. But Swim finds its not worth the shitty taste you have to constantly put up with which is why he cleans all his paraphenalia frequently. Plus the resin gives you a completely different buzz, mostly a body high that in turn produces a bigger burn out later on. He would rather avoid this altogether if he could and just stick to smoking premo weed.

Swim wouldn't cut resin out of the picture though. If he is hurting for a blast and ran out of weed recently he will bust out the paperclip and allen keys and start scraping away.

[Bryan_J]

Now stoners, lets not forget a good lesson that perhaps a stoner buddy has learned first hand. Hot water and glass isn't the safest idea. Glass has a weak tolerance (especially when thin) to high temperature change and too rapid cool down. Also, over time, that heating, than cooling, than heating, than cooling will make the glass brittle. Glass pieces get enough heat stress from lighters, and a person has seen pieces break just upon touch, being so old. Hot water will do the same thing, make the glass more brittle over time.

If a person is concerned about the smell of his glass piece, just keep it regularly cleaned with alcohol or similar solvents, and keep it wrapped airtight in a good spot when traveling. Resin won't budge much with hot water, but mold isn't anything to worry about. The resin will not create mold, and the water will evaporate anyways.

Also, let's not forget, if a person is strolling down the street with a freshly cleaned piece that is spotless from alcohol cleaning, he could wave that thing in front of a cop and that cop cannot do anything. A piece can only be considered paraphernalia if it is shown to have been used. A 'brand new' or otherwise looking piece has no resin to make it paraphernalia. Ofcourse, these are Canadian laws, not too positive on other areas.

[Johan73]

Oh the resin is good? Sweet swim may stop cleaning so much then. Swim thought it was better to be clean because the good stuff would be attracted and stick to the existing resin (no evidence to think that just swim's thought).

One time swim would consider making sure everything is nice and clean would be when taking it to/from a location away from home. In swim's area the equipment must be 'dirty' to be considered paraphernalia. So clean equipment might save a hassle if stopped.

[Baked.]

SWIM would suggest soaking it in alcohol for a few hours. This should completely kill any smell/germs/resin on the bowl. Your bowl will be like new after a day of soaking. Good luck with the new piece and enjoy it!

[Randypan]

Take that 90% isopropyl alcohol, mix it with sea salt and shake. SWIM finds this method to work better than anything they've tried in the past 15 years.

Randypan added 1 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...

Including store bought brands and about 10 to 15 bucks less...

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good idea with the salt, that should help get deposits out without scratching.