This guide covers glass and hardware for use with legal products only, in line with your state's laws. TAG makes no health claims about any material you choose to use.
If you have ever cleaned your bong and noticed that sticky, dark residue clinging to the glass, you have already met reclaim.
It is the concentrated leftovers from your sessions, partially vaporized material that condensed on the glass instead of traveling up the tube.
Some see it as waste. Others save it. Because it has already been heated once, reclaim has effectively been decarboxylated, which is why some people repurpose it rather than toss it.
Whether you plan to reuse it or just clean it out, it helps to understand how reclaim forms, how to extract it cleanly, and how to handle it. Any decision to consume it is yours to make, and we make no health claims about it.
How Does Reclaim Form in Your Bong?
Reclaim is not random gunk. It is the condensed remainder of material that did not fully combust or vaporize during your session.
When you heat concentrates or dry material, not everything travels up the tube.
Some of it cools and sticks to the walls of your bong, downstem, or dab rig, forming that thick, waxy buildup known as reclaim.
How reclaim forms depends on what you are using.
With a dab rig, the reclaim is mostly condensed concentrate that did not make it through. It is cleaner and usually easier to reuse.
With dry material, your reclaim will contain more carbon, tar, and combustion byproducts, making it harsher and less desirable.
Heat plays a major role.
When concentrates hit a hot nail or banger, some of the material evaporates but cools and sticks to the glass before it clears the rig.
If the temperature is too low, more reclaim gets left behind because the oil does not fully vaporize. If it is too high, reclaim degrades faster and loses flavor.
Is Reclaim Worth Collecting?
Reclaim sparks debate.
Some see it as a backup, while others treat it as a spent remnant of past sessions.
It depends on how it is collected and what you plan to do with it.
Start with the practical side.
Because reclaim has already been heated, it is effectively decarboxylated, so people who repurpose it can add it to recipes or infusions without further heat activation.
For those who like to stretch their concentrates as far as possible, reclaim is a way to make use of what would otherwise be cleaned out.
There is also the economic factor.
Concentrates are not cheap, and reclaim is essentially free. What some people rinse down the drain, others set aside.
Now the downsides.
The taste is noticeably different. Because it has been exposed to heat, reclaim loses terpenes, the compounds responsible for flavor and aroma. That makes it harsher and less flavorful than fresh concentrate.
Purity is another concern.
If reclaim sits too long in a dirty rig, it can absorb moisture, dust, and bacteria. Residue from dry material carries more tar and byproducts than concentrate reclaim. How you collect and store it matters.
So is reclaim worth saving?
If it is from a clean rig and properly stored, it can be. If it has been sitting in murky bong water for weeks, you are better off cleaning it out and starting fresh.
Best Methods to Collect Reclaim
Reclaim is only as good as the way you collect it.
Scoop it out of a filthy bong and you get more contaminants than anything else. With the right method, you can extract clean, usable reclaim without damaging your glass.
The best approach depends on your setup, how often you collect, and what you plan to do with it. Below we cover four proven methods: hot water extraction, isopropyl alcohol soak, freezing and scraping, and using a reclaim catcher.
Method 1: Hot Water Extraction (Beginner-Friendly)
If you want a simple, chemical-free way to collect reclaim, hot water is your best bet. It loosens reclaim through heat, letting it flow out of your rig without alcohol or solvents.
How to Do It
Boil water and let it cool slightly. You want it hot, but not bubbling.
Carefully pour the hot water into your bong or rig, coating the reclaim-covered areas.
Gently swirl or shake the piece (covering the openings) to help dislodge the reclaim.
Pour the reclaim-infused water into a silicone or glass dish and let it cool.
Once the water evaporates, scrape up the leftover reclaim.
Pros and Cons
No need for alcohol or harsh chemicals.
Quick and easy, ideal for first-time collectors.
Some reclaim may still cling to the glass.
Requires patience for the water to evaporate fully.
Method 2: Isopropyl Alcohol Soak (Most Effective)
For a thorough and efficient collection, an isopropyl alcohol soak is the best method.
It dissolves reclaim quickly, making it easy to extract without excessive scraping.
How to Do It
Fill your bong or rig with 99% isopropyl alcohol, ensuring all reclaim-coated areas are submerged.
Cover the openings and shake gently to help break down the reclaim.
Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour, longer if the reclaim is stubborn.
Pour the alcohol and reclaim mixture through a fine strainer into a glass dish.
Leave it uncovered in a well-ventilated area until the alcohol fully evaporates.
Scrape and store your reclaim for later.
Pros and Cons
Removes reclaim thoroughly, leaving your rig cleaner.
Collects a higher percentage than other methods.
Requires evaporation time to ensure all alcohol is gone.
Not ideal for immediate use unless properly dried.
Method 3: Freezing and Scraping (Low-Mess Alternative)
If you do not want to deal with liquids, freezing your rig makes reclaim removal easier by hardening it for a simple scrape-and-collect process.
How to Do It
Empty your rig and place it in the freezer for at least 1 to 2 hours. The cold hardens the reclaim and makes it brittle.
Once frozen, use a dab tool or scraper to gently pry off the hardened reclaim.
Tap the rig lightly to dislodge small pieces and collect them in a silicone container.
Pros and Cons
No need for alcohol or boiling water.
Great for rigs with removable downstems and attachments.
Not as effective for reclaim stuck in hard-to-reach areas.
Requires patience and careful handling of frozen glass.
Method 4: Using a Reclaim Catcher (Best for Frequent Users)
For those who dab regularly, a reclaim catcher is the easiest way to collect reclaim as you go, reducing waste and keeping your rig cleaner.
How to Use It
Attach a reclaim catcher to your dab rig before your next session. These small glass or silicone attachments sit between the nail and the rig, collecting reclaim before it reaches the main chamber.
After multiple sessions, remove the reclaim catcher and open the storage section.
Use a dab tool to collect the reclaim, which is typically cleaner than reclaim scraped from a rig.
Recommendation: get a reliable, high-quality reclaim catcher from Thick Ass Glass that fits your bong.
Pros and Cons
Easiest and cleanest way to collect reclaim.
Keeps your main rig cleaner, reducing buildup.
Requires an additional purchase.
Works for concentrates, not for dry-material residue.
How to Use Your Collected Reclaim
Once you have gathered your reclaim, the question is what to do with it.
People handle it a few different ways. The key is understanding how reclaim behaves. These are common approaches, not recommendations, and we make no health claims about consuming it.
Because reclaim has already been heated, it does not require additional activation, which is why it is sometimes added directly to recipes and infusions.
The flavor and purity of reclaim vary, so how you handle it matters.
Dabbing Reclaim: A Backup Option
You can dab reclaim, but do not expect it to taste like fresh concentrate.
Since it has already been heated once, reclaim has lost most of its terpenes, making it harsher and less flavorful. If you dab it, keep the temperature low (below 500F) to avoid degrading it further.
Pros
Uses up material that would otherwise be cleaned out.
Works as a last-resort option.
Cons:
Harsh taste due to terpene loss.
More carbon and impurities than fresh concentrate.
Making Edibles with Reclaim
Since reclaim is already activated, some people melt it into butter, coconut oil, or MCT oil for making various edibles.
This approach masks the flavor better than dabbing.
How to Use It
Gently heat butter or coconut oil in a pan.
Add reclaim and stir until fully dissolved.
Strain out any solid impurities (optional).
Use the infused oil in baked goods, coffee, or capsules.
Pros
No extra activation needed.
More pleasant than dabbing reclaim.
Cons
Mild herbal aftertaste.
Different character than fresh concentrate.
Creating Tinctures and Capsules
For those who prefer a smokeless option, dissolving reclaim in high-proof alcohol (like Everclear) creates a simple tincture. It can also be put into gel capsules.
How to Use It
Mix reclaim with high-proof alcohol and shake well.
Let it sit for 24 hours to ensure full dissolution.
Use a dropper for measured amounts.
Pros
Easy to measure and portion.
Convenient for small amounts.
Cons
Alcohol-based tinctures have a strong taste.
Requires high-proof alcohol for proper extraction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Collecting Reclaim
Reclaim can be a useful byproduct, but how you collect and store it makes the difference.
Mishandling it leads to harsh results, wasted material, or contamination. Avoid these common mistakes.
Overheating Reclaim
Heating reclaim too much, whether during collection or dabbing, degrades what is left and flattens the character.
If dabbing reclaim, keep temperatures low (below 500F).
Not Storing Reclaim Properly
Leaving reclaim exposed to air, moisture, or dirty glass speeds up degradation. Reclaim can absorb bacteria, dust, and even mold if left sitting too long in bong water.
Always store it in an airtight silicone or glass container to maintain quality.
Using Dirty or Low-Quality Reclaim
Not all reclaim is worth saving. Residue from dry material contains more tar and combustion byproducts, making it harsher and less desirable than reclaim from concentrates.
If it looks excessively dark or smells burnt, it is better to clean your rig than to reuse it.
Scraping Too Aggressively
Scraping with metal tools or excessive force can scratch or damage your glass. Instead, use hot water, alcohol, or freezing methods to loosen reclaim safely.
A careful, clean approach keeps your reclaim usable and free from unnecessary contaminants.
Is Reclaim Worth the Trouble?
Reclaim is not just leftover residue. Handled correctly, it is a byproduct some people choose to repurpose.
Whether you are after a backup, an infusion, or a low-effort tincture, reclaim has its place. The key is knowing when it is worth saving and when it is better left behind.
Quality glass plays a big role in reclaim collection.
If you want to make the most of every session, a reclaim catcher or an easy-to-clean piece makes all the difference.
At Thick Ass Glass, we design our glass with efficiency and durability in mind.
If you want to streamline your reclaim process and keep your sessions smooth, check out our premium glass and accessories.