Dabbing cannabis extracts has some lofty benefits. Quality concentrates often deliver a tasty, terpene-rich flavor. Consumers may also find small, low-temperature dabs easier on the throat and lungs compared to burning (or combusting) flower. These benefits only last as long as the piece is clean, though. Regular maintenance and deep cleaning are required for a delicious, smooth dab.
Cleaning a rig is not much different from cleaning a bong, pipe, or bubbler. The reclaim and buildup that grows inside can be scrubbed off with alcohol, salt, and time soaking. Some other methods use hot water, too. Hot water works best on a lighter clean, but peskier jobs may call for alcohol.
The methods used to clean a dab rig are only one part of the process. There are also tools and gear that smooth out the steps.
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Salt and alcohol
Classic salt and alcohol are a must-have for the seasoned stoners. Whether they smoke weed or dab, everyone could use these two things around.
When it comes to the best salt for cleaning a rig, think about the task. A coarser salt will be more abrasive and get more sticky resin off the piece. Epsom, rock, or sea salt work well. As for selecting a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, think as pure as possible. Grab a bottle or two of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol for this job.
ISO soak container
Avoid ruining Tupperware and bowls at home and invest in an ISO soak container like the perfectly shaped ones from Dabdock. The soaking tub looks much like a barbicide comb container at the barber shop. Deep rectangular and cylindrical containers lined with silicone vessels allow the tools to be completely suspended in the alcohol with no edges touching the walls of the container. Dedicating a Tupperware to the task works, but not as well as this gear.
Cotton swabs
Something no dabber lives without is cotton swabs. These little tools are dipped into alcohol and used to swab a banger or chamber after use. Swabbing a piece after every hit ensures the highest quality hit, from flavor to unwanted byproducts of refiring old wax.
Everyone has their preferred swabs, from the Puffco Dual Tool with a flat wooden scraper to the super absorbent Blazy Susan Cotton Buds and bendable Glob Mops. Each has its draw, like Blazy Susan buds are pink, and Puffco has that handy-dandy scraper.
Swabs are great, but they are only one piece of the puzzle. Every banger needs a swab, and every swab needs some alcohol. That’s why having an ISO station is a real banger.
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ISO station
An ISO station is a jar for swabs with a nozzle to fill it with alcohol from the bottom. This means that one side of the swab is always soaked and ready to swab. Those who don’t have ISO station money right now can look for a small refillable wax container or another small sealable vessel to keep with the dab station for easy cleaning.
Keep a clean dab rig with the right supplies
Nobody is perfect. Sometimes, a bong or dab rig is dirtier than we’d like, but having the right gear and tools can make it easier. Simple preparation, like filling a small container with alcohol, can make all the difference. From swabs to stations, don’t forget to invest in the right tools to keep a dab rig clean.
