A customer complained that his pipe tasted harsher every time he used it, without making the link with the fact that he'd never cleaned it since buying it. It's an often-neglected step that makes a big difference to the experience.
Why residue builds up fast
Every use leaves a light resin residue in the bowl and stem, which builds up over time and ends up strongly affecting the taste of later sessions. The more often the device is used, the faster this residue builds up.
The simple isopropyl alcohol method
Soaking in isopropyl alcohol with a little coarse salt remains the most effective way to dissolve stubborn residue, followed by a good rinse with clean water before using it again. For a bong, a few minutes' soaking is usually enough for the dirtiest parts.
The ideal frequency depending on use
For regular use, cleaning every one to two weeks keeps the taste clean without the task becoming a chore. Waiting too long makes cleaning much harder and the taste noticeably worse in the meantime.
"I hadn't cleaned my pipe in six months – I thought it was normal for the taste to go bad over time. After a good clean, it was like a new pipe."
If your gear has tasted strange for a while, drop by the shop in Yverdon-les-Bains and we'll show you the right cleaning method for your device.
