If you have ever dropped a glass pipe on the ground before, then you may have sworn off glass pipes forever. Silicone pipes with removable glass bowls are so much more durable and less likely to break. However, learning to care for this type of pipe can come with a bit of a learning curve if you're used to glass pipes. Here are some tips to help you care for your silicone pipe.
Use a screen.
Some silicone pipes with removable glass bowls come with screens, and others do not. It's always a good idea to use a screen, though, even if you have to buy them separately. A 1/4-inch stainless steel mesh screen fits well into the bottom of most bowls, and it will keep debris from being sucked into the neck of the pipe. Not only does this prevent you from inhaling debris, but it also keeps the neck of the pipe cleaner — which is ideal, since that's the hardest part to clean.
Clean the glass bowl with rubbing alcohol.
The glass bowl usually pops out of the pipe if you apply a little pressure to the bottom of it. It's easiest to clean the bowl when it's removed from the pipe. Just drop it into a little container of rubbing alcohol, and a minute later, you'll be able to wipe all of the resin off with a soft cloth. Give it a rinse with water, dry it off, and pop it back into the pipe. If you don't have rubbing alcohol, you can use vodka or even mouthwash to clean the bowl instead. You may just have to let it sit for a few extra minutes to loosen the resin.
Use a fat pipe cleaner to clean the pipe itself.
Resin does not cling to the silicone as much as it clings to the glass. So, you should not have to use much effort to get the silicone portion of the pipe clean, especially if you have been smoking with a screen. Shoving a fat pipe cleaner down the neck of the pipe a few times should do the trick. Try to do this each time you remove and clean the bowl, even if the silicone does not appear dirty.
Caring for a silicone pipe with a removable glass bowl is not too difficult once you figure out the basics! Keep it clean, and keep on smoking.
Contact a company like Valfré Smoke Shop to learn more.
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