Sticky residue on the walls of your piece, airflow that feels choked, and concentrate that looks wasted in the chamber are all frustrations that make dabbing less enjoyable.
A reclaim catcher solves those issues by turning what would have been waste into a usable bonus. It is a small upgrade that brings real changes to how your sessions feel and how often you need to clean.
Here are the benefits in plain terms:
- Saves money by capturing usable reclaim that still carries plenty of potency
- Keeps glass cleaner and cuts down the frequency of deep scrubbing sessions
- Supports sustainability by recycling what would otherwise be discarded
- Improves airflow so pulls stay smoother and less restricted
Thick Ass Glass has built its reputation around solving problems like these with thick borosilicate glass, precision joints, and airflow designs engineered for long term use. When you handle one of our pieces, the difference shows up in the weight, the durability, and the function.
This guide will break down how nectar collectors work, how reclaim catchers fit into that picture, and why orientation and joint size matter more than people realize. You will see step by step how to reclaim concentrates effectively and how to keep your gear in peak shape without endless cleaning cycles.
Nectar Collectors: A Compact Alternative to Rigs
Nectar collectors are the go-to for concentrate lovers who want portability and flavor without hauling around a bulky rig. They combine a direct heating method with a compact design, giving you strong pulls and less wasted concentrate.
Design Basics – The Core Setup
A nectar collector is built around three parts. The tip or nail heats up, then touches your concentrate to create vapor on contact. The body, usually glass or silicone, carries the vapor to your mouth. Some collectors add a water chamber that cools each hit.
While the extra filtration feels smooth, water can sometimes creep into the reclaim zone and complicate collection.
Why Collectors Outperform Rigs and E-Rigs
Collectors are built for efficiency. You only need the straw, a torch, and a dish of concentrate. They heat quickly, travel easily, and reduce wasted concentrate compared to larger rigs or powered e-rigs.
Many dabbers favor collectors with built-in reclaim capability since the compact size still lets you save material that would otherwise get lost.
Materials and Performance Factors
Glass collectors deliver a pure flavor profile, especially when made from thick borosilicate like Thick Ass Glass exclusively uses. Silicone options stand up to drops and pack well for travel.
Titanium tips retain heat longer and survive repeated torching. Quartz tips deliver crisp taste, though they cool down faster. Adding water makes hits smoother, but it also raises the risk of water intrusion into reclaim areas, something users mention often.
Three TAG Nectar Collectors Worth Considering
- Errl Cannon Nectar Collector Titanium Domeless Nail (14 mm) – titanium construction built for heavy torch use and long heat retention.
- TAG Errl Cannon Quartz Nail – quartz option that delivers clean, flavorful hits for those who value taste.
- Troyd Glass 5.75" Econo Straw 35g – lightweight glass straw that offers straightforward function at an easy entry point.
Every TAG collector benefits from CAD-based engineering and precision joints that keep airflow consistent across batches. These designs are built to deliver smooth pulls, last through heavy use, and give you confidence that each part fits together the way it should.
Why a Standard Catcher Won’t Work with a Dab Straw
Reclaim catchers you see on most rigs are not made for nectar collectors. They sit upright and wait for gravity to pull leftover concentrate into a small jar. A dab straw runs on a completely different orientation.
Instead of sitting vertically, it tilts and flips during use, which makes standard catchers lose their function. People in the community point out that when the jar ends up upside down, it is useless. Others mention airflow problems when the catcher is reversed, since the vapor path no longer lines up.
Suction also breaks down if the cup is left wide open, which is why some dabbers use silicone inserts to force a seal. Without a proper fit, your straw ends up pulling air through the wrong gap instead of directing vapor where it belongs.
If you do not have a dedicated nectar collector with a built-in reclaim chamber, you still have options for collecting what drips out. Here are three field-tested ways to grab reclaim without a standard catcher:
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Tap-out method – warm the body gently, hold it over a silicone mat, and let reclaim drip out.
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ISO or ethanol wash – fill the body with alcohol, shake to dissolve residue, pour into a dish, and let it evaporate before scraping.
- Hot-water separation – pour boiling water through the body into a container, let the oil rise above the water, and scoop it out for storage.
Using a Nectar Collector with a Built-In Reclaim Catcher
Collectors with integrated reclaim chambers fix many of the problems dabbers run into with standard catchers. The chamber sits in the right place, lets gravity do the work, and spares you from fighting airflow or suction issues.
With the right routine, you can enjoy smoother pulls and gather reclaim that stays clean and potent enough to reuse later.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to run a nectar collector that has its own reclaim catcher built in:
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Fill the water chamber about one third of the way. Avoid letting water reach the lower joint, since that risks flooding your reclaim zone.
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Heat the tip with a low to medium torch setting. Overheating scorches concentrate and reduces reclaim quality, so be careful.
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Lightly touch the hot tip to your concentrate dish. Do not dunk it in or you will flood the chamber and waste material.
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Inhale steadily and let gravity carry any unused vapor or condensed oil into the reclaim catcher below.
This setup works best when you stay patient and avoid rushing through each step.
Tips to Maximize Efficiency
In order to get the most out of your concentrates, you should make sure to observe a few golden rules, including the following:
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Low temperature dabs create more reclaim since vapor condenses more readily.
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Keep the silicone jar facing downward at all times. Some dabbers use rotating adapters or swivels to keep orientation correct.
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Don’t wait until the nectar collector is clogged to remove reclaim. It’s easier to collect before it completely hardens.
How to Collect Reclaim
Once your session ends, let the piece cool before taking it apart. Warm the body gently and allow reclaim to drip into a silicone container. For sticky or stubborn reclaim, an ISO or ethanol soak will dissolve it. Let the liquid evaporate in a safe space, then scrape the residue.
Always move the collected reclaim into an airtight silicone jar and keep it away from light or heat. This preserves potency and avoids contamination, so when you are ready for a second round you get usable concentrate instead of a dried lump.
Keeping a Nectar Collector In Great Shape
Owning a nectar collector with a reclaim catcher means you save more concentrate and spend less time scrubbing, but the piece still needs attention to keep it running like new. Consistent upkeep preserves flavor, prevents airflow problems, and makes reclaim easier to collect when the time comes.
Routine Care on a Daily Level
Simple actions done regularly extend the life of the piece. Rinsing with hot water after each session stops resin from hardening into a sticky layer. A quick swipe of the tip with a cotton swab while it is still warm clears leftover concentrate before it cakes.
Daily users usually find that a full clean once a week is ideal, while those who use their collector less often can stretch it to every two weeks.
Occasional Deep Cleaning Is a Must
Light rinses will not clear the heavier resin that builds in hidden corners. A soak in isopropyl alcohol paired with pipe cleaners is enough to dissolve stubborn residue. If the reclaim will be reused for dabbing or edibles, high proof ethanol like Everclear is the safer option.
A proper deep clean means taking the collector apart so that no chamber is left coated. This prevents trapped concentrate from turning stale and keeps joints and seals in better shape.
How Often Should You Harvest Reclaim
There is no fixed schedule for reclaim collection. Some people wait until airflow feels restricted while others use the color of the residue as their guide. Many prefer to harvest once it darkens or loses clarity.
Based on reports from people who smoke it regularly, reclaim still carries thirty to sixty percent THC, though it loses much of its flavor. That makes it a smart choice for edibles or as a backup supply rather than the first pick for everyday use.
Minimize Waste with Great Gear
The whole point of using a nectar collector with a reclaim catcher is to make life easier. You get more out of your concentrate, your glass stays cleaner, and the whole process feels smoother.
That’s why I like building pieces that are thick, sturdy, and straightforward.
If you care about pulling flavor without wasting material, a good collector with a proper catcher is worth it. Check out the Accessories collection at Thick Ass Glass website, and you’ll find out why so many dabbers refuse to shop anywhere else.