A sticky, gunky dab rig is a buzzkill. Whether you’re all about flavor, airflow, or just not being gross, cleaning your dab rig is one of the easiest ways to step up your concentrate game.
And yep, this goes for both traditional glass dab rigs and modern e-rigs.
In this beginner’s guide, we’re breaking down exactly how to clean a dab rig – step by step – with tips, tools, and pro-level tricks to keep your setup sparkling clean and tasting fresh.
How To Clean a Traditional Glass Dab Rig
Glass dab rigs need a deep clean every week or so (more if you dab heavily). Good news? It’s easier than it sounds.
🧼 What You’ll Need:
- 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol (ISO)
- Coarse salt (kosher or rock salt)
- Warm water
- Zip-top bags or containers
- Cotton swabs & pipe cleaners
- Microfiber cloth or paper towels
- Gloves (optional)
- Cleaning caps/stoppers (optional)
🔧 Step-By-Step Cleaning:
- Empty & Rinse
Dump out any old water. Rinse the rig with warm (not boiling!) water to loosen up the gunk. - Disassemble Your Rig
Take off the banger, reclaim catcher, or dome. Set each piece aside. - Mix Your Cleaning Solution
Combine coarse salt and ISO inside the rig. General rule: ½ cup salt to 2 cups ISO. - Seal & Shake
Plug all openings (use stoppers, your hands, or plastic wrap + rubber bands). Shake the rig like you mean it. Let it soak for 30 minutes for heavy buildup. - Soak Small Parts Separately
Place your banger, nail, and accessories in a zip-top bag with ISO and salt. Shake it up, then soak for 20–30 minutes. - Scrub Any Leftover Crud
Use cotton swabs or pipe cleaners to get into nooks. Re-soak if needed. - Rinse Well
Flush everything with warm water until it’s clean and alcohol-free. Don’t skip this – ISO is flammable and nasty to inhale. - Dry & Reassemble
Pat everything dry and let air dry fully before using. Congrats – your rig’s basically brand new again.
How Often Should You Clean It?
If you’re brand new to dab rigs, just remember this: as in life, cleanliness is always next to godliness. And this context, better tasting hits.
Follow these basic maintenance tips, do them as instructed, and you’ll never run into any issues.
- Change water daily – trust us, it matters.
- Quick swab after each dab – especially your banger.
- Deep clean weekly if you’re dabbing daily.
- Whenever it tastes funky or looks brown – don’t wait.
Recommended Tools & Products
- ISO + salt combo – cheap, effective, and classic.
- Randy’s Black Label / Grunge Off – great for heavy grime.
- Cleaning plugs/caps – perfect if you’re clumsy or overzealous with the shaking.
- Glob Mops / Dr. Dabber Iso-Snaps – next-level Q-tips for dab gear.
- Silicone soak containers – reusable, mess-free soak stations.
I get all my cleaning gear – and my rigs and accessories – from these guys; they have literally everything you’ll need to run a nice, clean ship.
Safety Tips for Glass Dab Rigs
- Don’t mix cleaning chemicals – stick to ISO and salt.
- Work in a ventilated area.
- Avoid boiling water and hot rigs – cold glass + heat = crack city.
- Rinse thoroughly – ISO is flammable and toxic if inhaled.
- Keep ISO away from open flames. Like… seriously.
How To Clean an Electric Dab Rig (E-Rig)
E-rigs like the Puffco Peak or Dr. Dabber Switch are awesome, but they come with one golden rule: Keep liquids away from the base.
⚙️ What You’ll Need:
- 91% or 99% ISO
- Warm water
- Cotton swabs
- Soft cloth or alcohol wipes
- Nylon brush (optional)
- Zip-top bags or small containers
💡 Step-by-Step E-Rig Cleaning:
- Turn Off and Unplug Everything Power it down. Remove the battery if it’s swappable.
- Disassemble the Device Detach the glass, atomizer, carb cap, and other accessories.
- Clean the Glass Treat it like a regular rig. Add ISO + salt, shake, and rinse thoroughly.
- Clean the Atomizer
- Removable cup? Soak in ISO for 30 mins.
- Non-removable? Use swabs soaked in ISO. Be gentle.
- Burn-off cycles (if your device supports it) help too.
- Wipe the Base Lightly dampen a cloth with ISO (never pour it on!). Wipe the connections and surface. No liquid near the buttons or charging port.
- Dry Everything Thoroughly Let all parts air dry 100% before reassembling. Use a microfiber towel or even a hair dryer on cool for faster results.
- Reassemble and Test Run a heat cycle without dabs to make sure it’s fully dry and good to go.
Why Cleaning Your Dab Rig Actually Matters
You wouldn’t eat off a dirty plate, so why dab from a dirty rig?
Here’s why regular cleaning is non-negotiable:
- Flavor: Old reclaim wrecks the taste of your terps. A clean rig = clean flavor.
- Airflow: Resin and reclaim buildup can block percs and mouthpieces, making every hit harder to pull.
- Health: Dirty water breeds bacteria and mold – and nobody wants that in their lungs.
- Longevity: Resin left too long can permanently stain or damage your glass or e-rig parts.
Bottom line: A clean rig gives you better hits and makes your gear last longer.
How Often Should You Clean Your E-Rig?
E-Rigs ain’t cheap. Even the cheaper ones hit three figures, so in order to make sure you get the most bang for your buck and are able to run it for years at a time without issue or fault, you gotta look after it.
If you follow these basic e-rig maintenance tips and drills, you’ll never run into issues like a gunked-up atomizer that’ll massively impact its performance.
- After every session: Swab the atomizer and change the water.
- Weekly: Deep clean the atomizer and glass.
- Monthly (or more): Full disassembly and soak.
- When performance drops: Less vapor, bad taste = time to clean.
For more e-rig info and reviews, check out our dab rigs 101 guide – it covers all the basics and our favorite rigs right now.
Safety Tips for E-Rig Cleaning
I know, I know – all of the points below are obvious. But if you’ve been on TikTok or social media in the last few years, you’ll know that intelligence ain’t what it used to be.
So, if you’re cleaning your e-rig for the first time, for the love of god, PLEASE follow these simple rules:
- Always unplug and remove the battery.
- Keep electronics dry.
- Don’t soak any part of the base.
- Make sure all alcohol evaporates before firing it back up.
- Never clean while it’s still hot.
Wrapping Up…
So there you have it: everything you need to know about how to clean a dab rig, from OG glass to high-tech e-rigs.
It doesn’t take a ton of gear, just a bit of ISO, some salt, and a little consistency. But if you do want some proper, professional cleaning gear you can grab it from here.
Treat your rig right, and it’ll treat you to flavor-packed hits every time.
And hey, don’t wait till it’s a swamp in there – regular cleaning keeps the good vibes (and terps) flowing.
FAQ
How often should I clean my dab rig?
Change water daily, swab your banger after each dab, and deep clean weekly (or every few sessions).
Can I use vinegar instead of alcohol?
It works for mild residue or water stains, but isn’t as effective as isopropyl for sticky reclaim.
What’s reclaim and should I save it?
Reclaim is leftover concentrate that collects inside the rig. If it’s mixed with ISO, don’t use it. If you collect it clean, some people reuse it – but the flavor and potency are usually lower.
Can I put my dab rig in the dishwasher?
Nope. Not unless you’re trying to shatter it. Stick to the ISO and salt method.
🔥 Don’t miss out – our newsletter’s hotter than your last dab.
Sign up for The Atomized Newsletter and stay in the loop on cleaning hacks, gear reviews, and all things vape.
💥 Also, come roast with us on Facebook – bring your rigs, your takes, and your weirdest concentrates.
Leave a Reply