Why Cleaning Is Not Optional
Residue does two things: it wrecks flavor and it slowly restricts airflow until a piece performs like a much cheaper one. A clean piece hits better on day three hundred than a neglected one does on day ten. It is the cheapest performance upgrade there is.
The good news is that a proper clean takes about ten minutes and a couple of dollars in supplies, all of which we stock.
The Basic Routine
Empty any water first. Add coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol, plug the openings, and shake in short bursts — the salt is the abrasive doing the actual work. Let stubborn pieces soak rather than shaking harder; force is how glass breaks.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water, never hot water straight onto cold glass. Thermal shock cracks more pieces than drops do. Dry fully before storing.
Supplies Worth Keeping On Hand
Pipe cleaners and cotton swabs for tight joints, a dedicated cleaning solution for faster jobs, plugs or caps for shaking, coarse salt, and a soft mat for the surface you work on. We keep all of it stocked alongside the glass case.
Replacement screens, downstems, bowls and grommets are also worth having spare — most breakages happen to the small removable parts, not the body.
Handling and Storage
Store pieces upright, away from edges and out of high-traffic spots, ideally in a padded case or on a mat. Never carry a piece by the removable part. When in doubt, two hands.
Bring your piece into the shop if you are unsure about a joint size or a replacement fit — we would rather measure it than have you guess.