Yes, you can put a bong in the dishwasher, but it depends on the material and build. Pieces made from thick borosilicate glass may withstand the cycle, but fragile glass, percolators, and resin buildup make dishwashers risky and often ineffective for deep cleaning.

The Bong Cleaning Debate That Divides Stoners 

Whether or not you should clean a bong in the dishwasher is one of the more controversial questions among regular users. 

Some see it as a simple fix for a dirty piece, especially if it’s made from silicone or thick borosilicate glass. Others argue that it’s a great way to destroy percolators, weaken joints, or turn a quality rig into a cloudy, soap-flavored mess. 

Like most things involving heat, pressure, and glass, the outcome is somewhat risky.

Here’s what a dishwasher offers:
✔️ Fast, hassle-free cleaning
✔️ High-temp sanitization

And here’s what it risks:
✖️ Breakage during the cycle
✖️ Resin buildup that spreads instead of rinsing out

The opinions on this vary for good reason. Cleaning convenience is valuable, but not at the cost of structural integrity or function. 

After founding Thick Ass Glass, we’ve spent years refining our production process to create durable glass that performs at a high level, session after session. Our thick bases, reinforced joints, and engineered airflow weren’t designed exactly with dishwasher dangers in mind. 

Still, if any bong can safely withstand a dishwasher cycle, we would bet on one of ours.

This article will cover how dishwasher cleaning works, where it falls short, how to prepare your piece if you insist on trying it, and which TAG bongs are built tough enough to take that level of abuse without compromising performance.

Dishwasher Hack for a Dirty Bong: Is Convenience Worth It?

For anyone used to soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing their glass after every few sessions, the idea of putting a bong in the dishwasher holds a certain appeal. The dishwasher promises a simple solution to a messy problem. And for specific materials and builds, it might offer decent results. 

Before treating your piece like a coffee mug, it helps to understand how well this method actually works.

The Appeal of Toss-and-Go Cleaning

The biggest draw is simplicity. You take a dirty bong, place it in the rack, press a button, and walk away. 

For those using thick borosilicate tubes without complex internals, the dishwasher can clear surface-level buildup with minimal effort. It saves time and energy, and in some cases, the exterior comes out looking clean enough for casual use.

Does the Dishwasher Actually Work?

The short answer is that it works on the outside. Dishwashers are good at removing basic grime from smooth surfaces, especially when using high heat and strong water pressure. Where they fall short is on internal resin deposits. 

Percolators, splash guards, narrow bends, and diffused downstems often retain residue even after two full cycles. Some users also report reclaim moving from one part of the bong to another rather than fully rinsing out. 

While thick glass may survive the cycle physically, the deeper cleaning that keeps flavor pure usually requires more targeted attention.

What About Detergent?

Detergents used in standard dishwashers are designed to break down food grease, not cannabis resin. While they may loosen some buildup on the surface, they are not effective in dissolving the sticky residue that forms inside a well-used bong. 

More importantly, the surfactants and rinse agents left behind can stick to the glass and impact flavor. If your first hit after cleaning tastes like lemon-scented plastic, it is likely from leftover soap that never fully rinsed. 

This is especially common in pieces with tighter airflow where detergent does not drain properly.

What You Must Do Before Running It

To minimize damage and maximize results, follow these steps carefully before using a dishwasher:

• Disassemble everything: remove the bowl, downstem, ash catcher, and any additional attachments
  
  

• Rinse out any resin or loose particles to prevent melting and recirculation
  
  

• Avoid citrus-based or bleach detergents that can leave a lasting smell or affect the surface
  
  

• Secure the bong with stemware clips or place it upright in a way that limits movement during the cycle
  
  

Bongs & Dishwashers: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Using a dishwasher to clean a bong might sound like a harmless shortcut, but the mechanics inside that machine tell a different story. Steam, pressure, water jets, and detergent all interact with glass in ways that can affect structure and appearance. 

For those using low-quality imports or thin-walled pieces, the risks are higher. Even for thicker glass, the results are not always predictable.

Glass Can Break due to Multiple Reasons

A bong is not built like a ceramic plate or stainless steel pan. It contains joints, welds, and sometimes delicate internal components. 

During a dishwasher cycle, the piece is exposed to repeated pulses of hot water under pressure. If the glass is thin or the welds are uneven, this creates weak points that may not hold up. 

Some percolators are built into chambers with little room for movement. When those get filled and shaken during a wash, they can shift, separate, or crack internally. Even strong glass can be damaged if it is placed at an angle or moves during the cycle.

Thickness Is Important but Not a Guarantee

Since Thick Ass Glass is a brand that doesn’t gamble with breakage, we build with 12 to 16 millimeter bases for a reason. The weight and mass of our glass can absorb a lot of stress under normal use. 

But inside a dishwasher, it is not only about how thick the base is. Movement, joint angles, and sudden temperature shifts all play a role. 

A downstem that was seated tightly before the wash might come out misaligned if it shifts under pressure. A reinforced weld could still show hairline damage if it expands and contracts unevenly. That kind of wear often goes unnoticed until function begins to degrade.

Surface Damage and Clouding

One of the most overlooked effects of dishwasher cleaning is surface clarity. Over time, even premium borosilicate glass can take on a dull or frosted appearance when exposed to abrasive detergents and rinse cycles. 

These changes may not affect function directly, but they do impact how the piece looks and feels in hand. A clean bong should feel smooth, transparent, and balanced. Etching and clouding break that visual feedback, especially in areas like mouthpieces and necks.

Thermal Shock: The Silent Bong Killer

This happens when a bong is exposed to high heat followed by rapid cooling. Most dishwashers finish with a hot rinse, which brings the glass close to boiling temperatures. 

If the piece is removed and placed on a cooler countertop, the surface tension can shift too quickly for the material to adjust. This sudden change in temperature can cause cracking, even in thick-walled glass. The risk increases when joints or chambers are holding water that heats or cools unevenly.

Smarter Ways to Clean Your Bong

For anyone who values airflow, taste, and longevity, hand-cleaning remains the most reliable method. While dishwasher cleaning may offer a quick rinse, it cannot target the buildup that forms in corners, percs, and narrow joints. Manual cleaning allows for greater control and far better results over time. 

The good news is that the best cleaning methods are simple, inexpensive, and require little more than patience and consistency.

Option 1: Boiling Water Flush

This is a basic but effective method that works best for silicone bongs and straight tubes without internal complexity. The heat helps loosen grime and soften residue inside the chamber.

1. Bring water to a boil and carefully pour it into the main chamber of the bong
   
   

2. Let the piece sit for several minutes to allow heat to break down buildup
   
   

3. Empty and rinse with clean hot water until no residue remains
   
   

This approach works well as a pre-treatment before other methods or on its own when buildup is minimal.

Option 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

For users looking to avoid chemical cleaners, this method is gentle on surfaces and helps with odor control and water stains. It does not dissolve resin but can be used between deeper cleanings.

1. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda into the bong
   
   

2. Pour in white vinegar and let the mixture foam inside the chamber
   
   

3. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water
   
   

This method is safe for glass and silicone but should be followed by a hot water rinse to remove any vinegar smell.

Option 3: Isopropyl Alcohol and Salt

This method offers the most consistent results and is widely used for both glass and quartz. It reaches deep into corners and helps restore both clarity and function.

1. Add coarse salt and 90 percent or higher isopropyl alcohol into the piece
   
   

2. Cover openings and shake carefully until residue is dislodged
   
   

3. Rinse with hot water to remove all traces of alcohol and salt
   
   

This method is reliable, fast, and preferred by experienced users who care about keeping their piece at peak performance.

If You Insist, At Least Pick a Dishwasher-Safe Bong

If you’re still tempted to use the dishwasher for cleaning, aim for a piece built to withstand that level of stress. Certain bongs, such as those with simpler designs and tank-like construction, stand a much better chance compared to the average piece.

What to Look for in a “Dishwasher-Safe” Bong

Look for designs that minimize risk during a wash cycle:

• Simpler structure and modular design make them harder to damage
  
  

• Minimal or no intricate percolators means less trapped resin and easier rinsing
  
  

• Thick borosilicate glass walls of 9 mm or more, plus 12–16 mm bases, absorb heat and pressure more effectively
  
  

• Components like downstems and bowls that remove easily prevent stress from shifting parts
  
  

TAG Bongs Tough Enough for the “Danger Zone”

If you do decide to go the dishwasher route, these TAG models are engineered to emerge in one piece:

1. TAG 18″ Beaker Bong – 50×9 MM SUPER THICK with 18/14 MM Downstem
   Built like a fortress, this classic beaker features extra-thick walls and a weighted base that stands firm under water pressure without losing stability.

2. TAG 30″ Straight Tube Bong – 50×9 MM SUPER THICK with 18/14 MM Downstem
   Impressive height and thick walls give this straight tube resilience. Remove the downstem first and its straightforward shape makes it more manageable in a wash.

3. TAG 6.5″ Gill Seal Gridded Super Slit Inline Bellow Bubble Can Dab Rig (SUPER THICK)
   Compact design with reinforced glass everywhere makes this dab rig extremely sturdy. If ever a smaller piece could make it through a cycle, this is the one.

Even with bongs that feature super-thick walls, only use a dishwasher if you're absolutely certain it’s worth the risk. Which it usually is not.

Dishwasher Is a Rookie Move

You can clean a bong in the dishwasher, but the method does not reach the areas that affect flavor and function. Percolators stay clogged. Resin gets redistributed. Detergent can leave residue behind. 

Manual cleaning works better because it lets you target buildup directly and rinse thoroughly without risk to the piece.

Thick Ass Glass makes bongs for people who take them seriously and use them for a long time. Thick walls, clean welds, and high-function airflow are part of every design. That’s a piece that deserves a bit of manual effort to keep clean.

If you want a piece that performs every time and stays easy to maintain, browse our full Bong Collection and see which one is calling you.