Dabbing is pushing the use of bongs aside and becoming the favorite way for cannabis users to get their hit. People choose dab rigs because the vaporized marijuana concentrates keeping their potency while getting to the lungs faster than the typical bong.
But something that people are struggling with is knowing how to clean their dab rig correctly and thoroughly. If not done well, it could start to affect how well your dab rig performs, and nothing is worse than having something not work well when you want to use it. If you are looking to clean a dirty bong instead check out our article: How To Clean A Bong Like a Pro.
Below, we will go over all you need to know to clean your dab rig and keep it in tip-top shape.
How Does A Dab Rig Work?
Instead of using dry cannabis flower to smoke like you would with a bong, a dab rig uses a dab of concentrate on a dab nail or banger.
Once you heat the dab nail or banger with a torch, dab the concentrate onto it, and that is when a vapor forms. The vapor then travels through the neck of the rig to the mouthpiece, where you are able to inhale it.
Why Should You Clean Your Dab Rig?
In order to get a flavorful dab, you must be consistent with keeping your dab rig clean. A buildup in your dab rig will create a less tasteful experience.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dab Rig?
It is recommended that you have clean water for every use. If you are not consistent with this, then it will create bigger issues for you when trying to clean later on. It is important to note that frequently changing the water on your dab rig reduces the chances of you having any carcinogenic substances that are trapped from the filtration.
It is also important for you to clean the nail or banger of your rig with a cotton ball after each time you use the dab rig.
What Will You Need For The Cleaning?
What Will You Need For Cleaning?
Make sure you have these products on hand when planning to clean your dab rig:
- Rubbing alcohol (99 percent isopropyl alcohol)
- Coarse sea salt
- A Torch
- A large container or plastic bag that can be sealed
- Cotton Swabs (we love Glob Mops)
How Do You Clean Your Dab Rig?
First, you will want to use your torch to heat the banger or nail. If you do not have a big mess to clean up, this should really do the trick for you.
But in other instances, try using a wet cotton swab that has rubbing alcohol on it. And if that still is not cleaning up all of the residue buildups, seal the nail banger in a plastic bag or container and let it soak In the rubbing alcohol. If the plastic bag is the route you are taking, add some salt to it as well and swish it around.
Next, you will want to pour out all of the used water before you can start to really clean the rig. Remembering to switch out the water after each use is key to avoid any nasty buildup and continue to have a tasty dab.
After pouring out the water, fill the bottom of your rig with rubbing alcohol. If you want to really clean it well, add the coarse sea salt to it first until the entire bottom of it is covered in salt.
You will then want to cover the holes of the dab rig and shake the mixture well. This will help to move some of the residues from the reclaim.
Once the reclaim has been cleaned off all areas of the dab rig, rinse everything in warm water.
What If I Do Not Have Rubbing Alcohol?
Hot water and coarse salt is another way to really clean your dab rig.
How Do You Collect Reclaim?
Some rigs have attachments that make it much easier to collect the reclaim that builds up. If you have the attachment, you can use the heat from your torch to melt the reclaim onto parchment paper. Do not plan on reusing reclaim if you do not have an attachment because then you will have to use rubbing alcohol to get it out.
How Do You Use Reclaim?
If you are able to collect and melt the reclaim, you can then use those to make capsules and edibles. You can also try to dab it again, but the experience will not be exactly the same without the terpenes.
How Do You Get Wax Out of it?
If it is a really big mess that is not coming off with normal cleaning protocol, try freezing the rig and then chipping the substance off.
If it is not that bad, but a couple of areas are still on there, try using a toothbrush to have the bristles work at any substance that is getting stuck on it. You could also try soaking it longer too.
Keep Your Dab Rig Clean...
The key takeaway from this article should be to clean your dab rig often for optimal results and less deep cleaning later.
Let us know if you have any tips or tricks to cleaning your dab rig that we did not cover in this article.
