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

Spy Car

Member
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
 
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TigoleBitties

Big and Bouncy
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
Yep! I can believe that.

I use iso inside of ziplocs and immerse the bags in shallow containers with hot water. Same method but I don't have a temperature controlled heater for the hot water so I just use my kitchen tap at full temp and change out the water if necessary. Usually it's so effective that I don't need a water change.
 

Spy Car

Member
Yep! I can believe that.

I use iso inside of ziplocs and immerse the bags in shallow containers with hot water. Same method but I don't have a temperature controlled heater for the hot water so I just use my kitchen tap at full temp and change out the water if necessary. Usually it's so effective that I don't need a water change.

Essentially the same idea. The water-bath is just so effective (and I already had a Sous Vide circulator) that I consider it a major upgrade.

Sous Vide is an incredible asset to anyone making edibles. It will decarb and extract all at an exact temperature and time . I had heard about warming my iso, but hadn't even thought about using my Sous Vide . Works like a charm . Wide range of pricing, I use an Anova ,
https://anovaculinary.com/products/anova-precision-cooker-mini?variant=44473619185853&currency=USD. :tup:

Sous Vide circulators are useful for culinary purposes and for our own specialty purposes, as you rightly suggest.

Being able to safely warm (and maintaining the warmth) of Iso when cleaning glass with the circulator makes life so easy.

I also have an Anova, but many cheaper options now available.

It is one of those "I will never go back" methods that I will stick with unless something better comes along, which is somewhat hard to imagine.


Bill
 
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Spy Car,
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Spy Car

Member
The only better way is a heated ultrasonic cleaner, maybe. The precision of the temp control isn't really important for cleaning, you just need warmth.


I'm not sure an ultrasonic cleaner could be "better," as ISO heated by Sous Vide leaves glass sparkling clean with zero effort beyond setting up.

And ultrasonic cleaners tend to be either way too small or industrially over-sized and quite expensive vs a precision circulator.

I agree that the precision of the temp of the water-bath is unlikely to be critical. The Iso needs to be warm. But picking an effective temp (like 160 F) is super easy with a Sous Vide, needs no babtsitting, and the device has a multitude of other uses beyond bong cleaning.

I would have little purpose for an ultrasonic cleaner myself, but others might find one a multi-purpose tool. Options.

Bill
 
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Rodney

Well-Known Member
for smaller glass I put them in a zip bag and put some iso in then put the zip bag in hot water.

Can you not put a bong and glass in dish washer with special dish washer stuff that gets rid of tobacco stains?

Just checking and you can get small dish washers cheap so could get one just for vaping stuff.

I might actually do this and report back as I have loads of dirty glass and is am too tight to be buying loads of iso.

Actually this might be a bad idea and end up with broken glass.... not sure how a dish washer works :D
 

Spy Car

Member
for smaller glass I put them in a zip bag and put some iso in then put the zip bag in hot water.

Can you not put a bong and glass in dish washer with special dish washer stuff that gets rid of tobacco stains?

Just checking and you can get small dish washers cheap so could get one just for vaping stuff.

I might actually do this and report back as I have loads of dirty glass and is am too tight to be buying loads of iso.

Actually this might be a bad idea and end up with broken glass.... not sure how a dish washer works :D

Are you pulling my leg?

A separate dishwasher for bongs? LOL

The Sous Vide method would save you on Iso. The Iso can be reused. I do so.

And a Sous Vide circulator is small and increasingly inexpensive. Did I mention that Sous Vide is the bomb for cooking steaks and fish.

Or a second dishwasher. LOL

Bill
 
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LesPlenty

Well-Known Member
Company Rep
not sure how a dish washer works
I use the dishwasher all the time for my bongs that pull apart like this one,
30e1cefe-26b4-4019-a84a-ca52f5eab199.jpg

All the rest get cleaned by jamming a hose off my hot water tap in the laundry sink to flush out.
1683607645584-jpg.46780

If the flush does not work (it usually does as I use citric acid and cranberry extract in my bong water) I will resort to my ultrasonic cleaner full of water set to whatever temp I want and fill the bong with iso and suspend in the UC that cost me less than a hundred bucks.
That said, my UC gets used a lot more for smaller vaping items than bongs, usually in plastic test tubes filled with iso in the UC water bath.
 

Spy Car

Member
I use the dishwasher all the time for my bongs that pull apart like this one,
30e1cefe-26b4-4019-a84a-ca52f5eab199.jpg

All the rest get cleaned by jamming a hose off my hot water tap in the laundry sink to flush out.
1683607645584-jpg.46780

If the flush does not work (it usually does as I use citric acid and cranberry extract in my bong water) I will resort to my ultrasonic cleaner full of water set to whatever temp I want and fill the bong with iso and suspend in the UC that cost me less than a hundred bucks.
That said, my UC gets used a lot more for smaller vaping items than bongs, usually in plastic test tubes filled with iso in the UC water bath.

What is the purpose of the citric acid and cranberry extract in the bong water? Is it primarily to help keep the bong clean, or is there a higher purpose?

I do have a supply of citric (and malic) acids for making SuperJuice/PseudoJuice for cocktails, but for bongs?

Bill
 
Spy Car,
Yes... for ease of cleaning. Here's a page on this site that details the why / how.

I found it a couple of months ago, and it works *very* well, IMO. You use this with distilled water, btw.
 
Bakin4Life,

Cheebsy

Microbe minion
I always combine hot water, iso and an ultrasonic cleaner too. The cleaner maintains the temp while it's operating so you don't need a heated one. All my pieces are small so they fit in the cleaner no problem. Then I use the same hot water for a UC rinse, then dry with my airizer EQ! 😌 Sparkling glass in around 15 mins!
 
Cheebsy,

Spy Car

Member
Yes... for ease of cleaning. Here's a page on this site that details the why / how.

I found it a couple of months ago, and it works *very* well, IMO. You use this with distilled water, btw.


I don't think I'd want to take whatever risks might come with inhaling cranberry extract and citric acid, no matter how minute the amount, into my lungs.

YMMV.

Bill
 
Spy Car,
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