VG Pipe Cleaning Guide

Basic VaporGenie Cleaning

The VaporGenie produces very little tar when used properly, so it only needs cleaning occasionally. The screen can be removed for cleaning by rotating it with a needle so that it “unscrews” via the threaded bowl, or by simply pulling it out with tweezers. This will reveal the wire coil that holds up the screen. The wire coil can be removed by pulling with pliers. The screen and wire coil can be cleaned by wiping or soaking in alcohol. The steel bowl can be cleaned with an alcohol swab. Do not get alcohol on the wood because this can damage the finish.

The bottom portion and mouthpiece can be cleaned with a pipe cleaner. First, pull out the mouthpiece. Pull a pipe cleaner through the mouthpiece to clean it. Similarly, the vaporizer can be cleaned by running a pipe cleaner through it. Insert the pipe cleaner into the mouthpiece end, and pull it from the steel bowl with tweezers or pliers. We recommend using two pipe cleaners side-by-side so that the vaporizer hole gets a good scrub.

Click here for more information on cleaning soot out of filters.


Glass Sherlock Cleaning

  • Use solvents such as alcohol or hot soapy water. You can also use a glass pipe cleaner (e.g. Grunge Off, Formula 420, Purple Power etc).
  • Do NOT use stainless steel brush.
  • Do NOT boil your glass VaporGenie. It will certainly cause it to crack!
  • Do not scrub with anything that can scratch the glass. Scratching can cause cracks.

Frozen Joints:

  • Frozen joints can be released by cooling the inside part (top), and heating the outside part (pipe). Put a small piece of ice inside the top (on top of the filter. heat the outside of the bowl with a heat gun or lighter. Then pull the top out.
  • Wear protective gloves! Glass can break while you are pulling.
  • There are lots of helpful pages with hints like soaking glass overnight in alcohol or sugary soft drinks.  See this or this.

To avoid frozen glass joints, DO put wax or other substance on joint surfaces, and DO NOT put a cold top into a hot bowl (the bowl will contract as it cools)


Glass Bat Cleaning

  • Completely disassemble vaporizer before cleaning. Remove ceramic filter, and metal parts, including door.
  • Use solvents such as alcohol or hot soapy water. You can also use a glass pipe cleaner (e.g. Grunge Off, Formula 420, Purple Power etc).
  • Do NOT use stainless steel brush.
  • Do not scrub with anything that can scratch the glass. Scratching can cause cracks

Cleaning Aluminum Classic Bottoms

The aluminum base can be easily cleaned by soaking in a pipe-cleaning solvent such as alcohol or hot soapy water. Do not attempt to clean wooden bottoms or tops with water or solvents.


Stainless Steel Bat Cleaning

  • Can use solvents such as rubbing alcohol or hot soapy water. Both filter top and bowl can be cleaned with solvents.
  • Best to use alcohol to clean the filter top (containing ceramic filter), because alcohol is easier to wash away. You don’t want to inhale vaporized soap residue.
  • Do use stainless steel brush. Stainless steel brush will not damage the vaporizer.

If the threaded insert falls out, or becomes damaged, please contact us about a warranty replacement. We can usually repair a damaged threaded ring.


Aluminum Bat Cleaning

  • Can use solvents such as rubbing alcohol or hot soapy water. Both filter and bowl can be cleaned with solvents.
  • Best to use alcohol to clean the top/filter (containing ceramic filter), because alcohol is easier to wash away. You dont want to inhale vaporized soap residue.
  • Do NOT use stainless steel brush. Stainless steel brush may damage the chrome plating inside the vaporizers.

Stainless Steel Coil Bat Cleaning

  • Can be cleaned with solvents such as rubbing alcohol or hot soapy water.
  • Make sure cleaning solvents are thoroughly rinsed from ceramic filter. Thats easy to do because the ceramic filter is removable.
  • Do use stainless steel brush for cleaning.