Is there a better, easier, safer way of cleaning glass? I don't think so.

CANtalk said:

There are many reasonably good cleaning methods. Funny seeing PBW described as capable of pitting glass (it definitely can) but that it doesn't clean as well as ISO .


Ultrasonic cleaners have been used a number of ways on FC, as noted earlier many go with PBW & hot water in it.

Click to expand...

I purchased some PBW. I do need to experiment more now that my move is finally over. But in initial testing the PBW did not clean nearly as well as the Iso/sous vide method.

The latter left stems (filled with balls) pristine, where a soak in PBW has not.

Room temp Iso soaks have performed poorly, leaving too much residue.

At 160 F/71 C, the results of a sous vide soak removes all the gunk. It is a game changer.

Bill

https://fuckcombustion.com/threads/pbw-the-chemistry-of-clean.7854/
(>14 years ago)

And Google,

For most cleaning tasks, especially when dealing with heavy-duty organic residue, PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) is generally considered a better cleaner than isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as PBW is specifically designed for deep cleaning while isopropyl alcohol is primarily used for disinfection and light cleaning.


Why PBW is often preferred:

• Stronger cleaning power:
  PBW is an alkaline cleaner that effectively removes stubborn organic matter like protein and sugar buildup, making it ideal for cleaning brewing equipment or heavily soiled surfaces.
  
  
• Versatility:
  While isopropyl alcohol can only sanitize, PBW can both clean and sanitize when used correctly.
  
  
• Less harsh on surfaces:
  Depending on the concentration, isopropyl alcohol can be harsh on certain materials, while PBW is typically formulated to be safer on most surfaces.
  

When isopropyl alcohol might be better:

• Quick disinfection:
  If you need to quickly sanitize a small surface, isopropyl alcohol is a readily available option.
  
  
• Electronics cleaning:
  For cleaning delicate electronic components, a low concentration of isopropyl alcohol is often recommended.
  

Key takeaway: If you need a powerful cleaner to remove tough organic residue, PBW is the better choice, while isopropyl alcohol is more suited for quick disinfection.

Click to expand...

>55 pages in the PBW thread link beginning in 2012, & I too was late it some years back now. Didn't have the mainstream access for years here.



Sous vide iso is simply hands off hot iso in a bag. I did hot iso in a bag for 4 years exclusively before trying & moving over to PBW. It's been a big difference.

I did typically reuse iso 3-4 times for affordability & green sustainability reasons, and that definitely had undesirable effects. While looking visually clean, with reused iso I found residue quickly accumulated (aka resin) and it affected flavors. Fresh iso every time gets pricey when regularly cleaning bongs and other large pieces. I even resorted to adding a hot water tap rinse cleaning 3-4 times in between the regular hot ISO cleaning (which was recommended here to me on FC, it did help but quickly become less & less effective). With PBW, it's so much cheaper, much more environmentally friendly & most importantly I get no noticeable or significant residue accumulation after far more vaping than ever before & it's all I need / do now. And it's simply PBW & hot tap water.

Most recently, I had 4 lbs of PBW last me 3 years. A quick calculation comes out to a cost of 14 cents USD per cleaning (not per use which would be much cheaper still). With another new PBW container & the latest cleaning routine, I expect it to last ~40% longer & cost in the range of ~8.5 cent USD / cleaning.

Over the years, I've adjusted my PBW cleaning routine in a number ways to optimize it. I'd even adjust cleaning advice I gave earlier in this thread; all I need now are two PBW cleanings w/ rinse for everything that I don't put into the ultrasonic cleaner. And two ultrasonic timer cleanings for what I put in there, though I usually go more because it's simply about pressing a few buttons (and adding a touch more PBW half way through). PBW being so cheap, fast & hands off allows one to keep everything uber clean by cleaning everything very often, much more than many / most vapers.

Spy Car said:

I purchased some PBW. I do need to experiment more now that my move is finally over. But in initial testing the PBW did not clean nearly as well as the Iso/sous vide method.

The latter left stems (filled with balls) pristine, where a soak in PBW has not.

Room temp Iso soaks have performed poorly, leaving too much residue.

At 160 F/71 C, the results of a sous vide soak removes all the gunk. It is a game changer.

Bill

Click to expand...

I’ve found very hot water makes PBW work better. I boil in a kettle and let it cool for a bit.

TedJones said:

I’ve found very hot water makes PBW work better. I boil in a kettle and let it cool for a bit.

Click to expand...

Yes, I used to boil stove top too. Simpler now fwiw has been hot tap water from higher heat settings on the water heater. And yes, still rinsing cold

Plus, the ultrasonic cleaner use works perfectly & easier, along with more regular hot tap water temps

TedJones said:

I’ve found very hot water makes PBW work better. I boil in a kettle and let it cool for a bit.

Click to expand...

To be fair to PBW, I don't think I've tried very hot water. If memory serves, I used warm water.

I'd like it to work for me.

Thanks for the tip.

Bill

CANtalk said:

https://fuckcombustion.com/threads/pbw-the-chemistry-of-clean.7854/
(>14 years ago)

And Google,


>55 pages in the PBW thread link beginning in 2012, & I too was late it some years back now. Didn't have the mainstream access for years here.



Sous vide iso is simply hands off hot iso in a bag. I did hot iso in a bag for 4 years exclusively before trying & moving over to PBW. It's been a big difference.

I did typically reuse iso 3-4 times for affordability & green sustainability reasons, and that definitely had undesirable effects. While looking visually clean, with reused iso I found residue quickly accumulated (aka resin) and it affected flavors. Fresh iso every time gets pricey when regularly cleaning bongs and other large pieces. I even resorted to adding a hot water tap rinse cleaning 3-4 times in between the regular hot ISO cleaning (which was recommended here to me on FC, it did help but quickly become less & less effective). With PBW, it's so much cheaper, much more environmentally friendly & most importantly I get no noticeable or significant residue accumulation after far more vaping than ever before & it's all I need / do now. And it's simply PBW & hot tap water.

Most recently, I had 4 lbs of PBW last me 3 years. A quick calculation comes out to a cost of 14 cents USD per cleaning (not per use which would be much cheaper still). With another new PBW container & the latest cleaning routine, I expect it to last ~40% longer & cost in the range of ~8.5 cent USD / cleaning.

Over the years, I've adjusted my PBW cleaning routine in a number ways to optimize it. I'd even adjust cleaning advice I gave earlier in this thread; all I need now are two PBW cleanings w/ rinse for everything that I don't put into the ultrasonic cleaner. And two ultrasonic timer cleanings for what I put in there, though I usually go more because it's simply about pressing a few buttons (and adding a touch more PBW half way through). PBW being so cheap, fast & hands off allows one to keep everything uber clean by cleaning everything very often, much more than many / most vapers.

Click to expand...

*>55 pages in that FC PBW thread link beginning in 2012, & I too was late to it some years back now. There wasn't wide availability for a long time. And lots of detailed & helpful information on the thread discussing how to get the best results using PBW.


Sorry, garbled some of my previous reply

I used to do that too @TedJones . Now instead, I set my tap water hot hot & there's no extra steps needed.

Bump to say PBW did a great job removing coffee scale from my thermos. PBW, hot water (185ºF) followed by a soaking got the insides from brown to silver in just an afternoon.

I find 100% isopropyl at room temperature will clean anything with enough time.
That's why I have multiple glass wear, leave one soking for a couple of days always gets things back to as new. No heat just time.
Also I buy isopropyl in 5 liter containers save heaps on cost.

Spy Car said:

Perhaps others have co-invented this idea (and apologies to those who may have already struck on this technique), but I could not find my "method" in a site search here, so for those who might wish to experiment, here goes.

It does take one piece of specialized hardware, but this is a gear-oriented forum, right?

The almost magical tool? A Sous Vide circulator device (also known as a Precision Cooker).

The Sous Vide circulator allows one to create a temperature controlled water bath. Into the "water-bath" one can place glassware like bongs filled with Iso (and 93 works fine) and/or smaller glassware sealed in ziplocks or vac bags with Iso and that goes into the water-bath.

Keep the water-bath below the boiling point of Iso (which is around 180 f) and the warm Iso melts the buildup away effortlessly, thoroughly, and safely. I use 160 f to good effect.

Sous Vide devices are a great kitchen item to have in any case, including many vape/cannabis uses. Perhaps you already one one?

I think this method is just the thing is one enjoys shiny clean glass with the least possible effort.

See what you think. Or if you do the same (or similar) please add your thoughts.

Bill

Click to expand...

I happen to have a sous vide but its still packed somewhere. So I got the wild idea that I could manage this with a microwave and a cup of hot water. Yeah. Doesn't work. I have no way to tell just how hot the water got in the microwave and I kept heating it to the point where it volatilized the alcohol (thermometer, also lost in a box somewhere), which caused expansion, which popped the top of the container I was using (a stem in a stem holder with Tuaca). Then the alcohol escaped, which is not a great thing in a microwave. To do this safely (doesn't work so why try LOL!) you need to heat the water in a cup, then stand the container with the stem in it (with whatever drinkable alcohol you are using) in the now hot water.

At any rate I ended up with a clean stem in something that had no alcohol. From the lack of effects, I'm guessing the escaped alcohol vapor took most of the THC with it.

So back to the sous vide, as soon as I can stand it. In the meantime, I've switched to the high proof version of Everclear to reclaim all that stem honey. With no heat. Doesn't taste as nice as Tuaca, but it dissolves the resin nearly as well as isopropyl alcohol, and its safe to drink.

My stem cleaned with Everclear definitely resulted in effective reclaim.