Can You Boil a Pipe to Clean It?

Any smoking apparatus is going to get dirty as you use it, and for the best experience, it needs to be kept clean. Get rid of the resin and residue by giving your glass pipe a good scrub every few uses—your tobacco and other herbs will smell and taste better overall.

Plenty of people ask if you can boil a pipe to clean it in Orlando—and the answer is yes. Here’s how to boil your pipe to keep it clean, and a bonus method, in case your pipe is on the fragile side.

Boiling a glass pipe

First, clean as much of the debris and residue out of your pipe as possible—cotton swabs can help remove dirt. Then bring a pot of water to a boil. It doesn’t have to be distilled or purified water—regular tap water will get the job done just fine. Once the water hits the boiling point, turn the heat down until it reaches a simmer.

Next, put your pipe in the simmering water and allow it to soak for a half hour, or longer (up to an hour) if your pipe hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. Make sure to check the pot occasionally to ensure the water hasn’t evaporated, and that the pipe is still covered in hot water. Add more if necessary.

After your pipe is done soaking, use a pair of tongs to take it out of the water and let it drain on a paper towel. The glass will be very hot after simmering, so be careful. Finally, you can clean any remaining residue with a pipe cleaner or cotton swabs.

Cleaning with salt and alcohol

This method is good for when you don’t have access to a stove or you’re wary of using too much heat. Just like before, try to remove as much residue as possible before you start the main cleaning process. Place your pipe in a Ziploc bag and fill the bag with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol so the pipe is submerged, seal the bag and let the pipe soak for a half hour or more. The rubbing alcohol will help loosen the residue and remove stains, so don’t skimp on the time.

Next, add a generous amount of salt to the bag (kosher or table salt is fine) and reseal. Vigorously shake the bag for two minutes, until the alcohol mixture looks brown and the pipe looks clean (or at least cleaner). If the pipe isn’t already clean, repeat the process again.

Finally, after the pipe is clean, remove it from the solution, rinse and let dry. Remove any remaining residue with cotton swabs or a pipe cleaner, and enjoy the feeling of a brand-new pipe.

Need more advice about how to clean your pipes in Orlando? New Galaxy Gifts’ well-trained staff can provide solutions, as well as everything you need to complete your smoking experience. Come see us today to check out our selection and get more helpful tips from our team!

Categorised in: Glass Pipes