Reclaim vs resin

Do you know what Reclaim is? This guide will explain how it forms, what you can do to reduce buildup, how to clean, and how best to reuse the reclaim when possible. If you're still trying to figure out what that sticky yellow stuff that forms on the inside of your rig, then you're in the right place. Keep on reading to find out.

What is reclaim and how does reclaim form?

Reclaim is the sticky residue that forms within a vaporizer, pipe or banger from heating concentrates. It's produced through two ways.

1. as a result of splashing, when concentrates are sucked into a pipe prior to fully vaporizing, or

2. condensation, when vaporized concentrates cool back into their solid form.

Reclaim can be yellow, brown, or even pure black. It often contains precious cannabinoids that are still useful and may be re-claimed by the user.

Silicone is the best material for collecting reclaim because of its non-stick and heat resistant properties. The most obvious example of this is a reclaim catcher. Reclaim catchers generally feature a non-stick silicone base. Reclaim catchers and silicone bongs make collecting reclaim easier than ever before.

How to prevent or reduce Reclaim?

There are several ways to reduce reclaim.

To Start-

When Using an E-Nectar Collector

• Proper dab size - per the vaporization rate of the tip, do not over saturate the tip, edge the concentrates, do not dip, then allow the concentrates to vaporize before edging more concentrates.
• Inhalation Rate- if inhaled too sharply or quickly, the concentrates attempting to be vaporized will get sucked up the vapor path prior to fully vaporizing, resulting in reclaim which is super fresh.

When using an E-Rig

• Proper dab size - per the vaporization rate of the heat setting, do not over saturate the bucket, utilize an airflow carb cap for proper surface area usage.
• Inhalation Rate- if inhaled too sharply or quickly, the concentrates attempting to be vaporized will get sucked up the vapor path prior to fully vaporizing, resulting in reclaim which is super fresh.

When using a Torch Rig Setup

• First and foremost, use a Reclaim Catcher, these catch the resin very well and prevent the rest of the pipe from gathering resin, keep the ash catcher clean for best results.
• Use fresh water for each usage, or Piece Water, which is mineral water that not only filters better than regular water, but also captures the resin, preventing it from sticking onto the glass.
• Attachments are also available to to prevent resin from initially reaching the pipe, like the Grav Charcoal Filter
• Lastly there are pipe filters which can be attached to any pipe, like the Mouthpeace which can offer one final layer of carbon filtration prior to the vape or smoke entering your mouth.
• Proper dab size - per the bangers vaporization rate, do not over-saturate, putting too much concentrate into the banger will cause excess concentrates to be sucked down the banger neck. When using terp pearls combined with excess concentrates, it can exacerbate the issue, causing even more reclaim. Adjust your inhalation rate appropriately while watching the reclaim.
• High-Temp Dabs- High Temp Dabs are more likely to result in splashing, where the banger is so hot, instead of vaporizing the concentrates, they will heat up and start popping like oil placed onto a really hot pan. When this happens, any suction, whether strong or soft, will cause the reclaim to fall down the banger neck and into the reclaim catcher or bong. Understanding your heat setting is crucial in preventing this, as well as preventing a harsh dab. If you are unsure as to the bangers temperature, we have Banger Temperature Readers like the Terpometer or the Octave, which are great for knowing the exact banger temperature. Desktop E-Nails offer an exact temp, for ultimate dabbing control, or we suggest only putting a tiny bit of concentrates into the banger to know whether its too hot.

How to reclaim and reuse Reclaim?

• Within Glass (Nectar Collector, Banger Joint Neck):
  • First picking at any easy to reach reclaim with a dab tool is best. The Silicone Tip Dab Tool is best for this, to prevent any damage to your glass.
  • Some then use isopropyl alcohol letting it slosh around, loosening until it can all fall out into a large silicone jar, allowing the alcohol to evaporate leaving only concentrates remaining!
  • Slightly heating the glass with a torch, extremely carefully, will loosen the resin and cause it to drip, place a silicone jar below to catch the reclaim. Be careful , the glass will get hot and can burn your hand. Also be sure not to get the glass too hot or it will crack. Thinner glass will crack faster than thicker glass, quartz can easily withstand reclaiming heat.
• With Silicone Pipe:
  • First picking at any easy to reach reclaim with a dab tool is best.
  • Some then use isopropyl alcohol letting it slosh around, loosening until it can all fall out into a large silicone jar, allowing the alcohol to evaporate leaving only concentrates remaining!
  • Freezing a silicone pipe then cracking the frozen concentrates out of the pipe is the easiest solution.
• With an Reclaim Catcher
  • First picking at any easy to reach reclaim with a dab tool is best.
  • Some then use isopropyl alcohol letting it slosh around, loosening until it can all fall out into a large silicone jar, allowing the alcohol to evaporate leaving only concentrates remaining!
  • Similar to small glass, slightly heat the reclaim catcher to have the remaining reclaim fall into the silicone jar.
• Within the Banger neck joint
  • First picking at any easy to reach reclaim with a dab tool is best.
  • Same as small glass, slightly heat the neck and allow the reclaim to fall down into a silicone jar.
• Within a Vaporizer
  • First picking at any easy to reach reclaim with a dab tool is best.
  • Some then use isopropyl alcohol letting it slosh around, loosening until it can all fall out into a large silicone jar, allowing the alcohol to evaporate leaving only concentrates remaining!

How to clean Reclaim?

• Cleaning with no regard for reclaim:
  • Utilize Formula 710 (or other rig cleaning solutions), to quickly and easily clean any piece of any material of any size.
  • Cleaning Caps / Cleaning Plugs
  • Cleaning Brushes to get the best clean!
  • Hot Water
• Cleaning with regard for reclaim:
  • View our How to Reclaim and Reuse Reclaim written above.

Resin vs reclaim

The main differences between resin versus reclaim is that reclaim forms as a result of dabbing. On the contrary, flower resin is a byproduct of vaporized or burned flower. Reclaim is often far more potent than flower resin. Resin tends to be harder to clean and less valuable. They both have a similar appearance and gooey texture. Both reclaim and resin can be dabbed on a nail or with a nectar collector.

Resin is a little bit harder to collect, but it's possible. It might take a bit more elbow grease and the use of a solvent, but the end result is similar to flower rosin. Since vaporizers run at lower temps than most dab rigs, flower resin may contain more terpene content than reclaim. So, while resin may be less potent in terms of cannabinoids, it can potentially taste better than reclaim.

Resin vs reclaim

Resin

• Accumulates in vaporizers

• Lower potency

• Less sticky

• Harder to collect

• Higher terpene content

(Similarities)

• Yellow/brown/black

• Can be dabbed on a rig

• Contains cannabinoids

• Gooey texture

Reclaim

• Accumulates in dab rigs

• Higher potency

• Stickier

• Easier to collect

• Lower terpene content

Re-claim your prize

Think of reclaim as a refund for all your hard work. If you vape or dab often, you might as well claim your prize. Otherwise, it's just going down the drain. Reclaim is potent, readily available and easy to collect. It doesn't taste as good as a fresh dab—but it gets the job done.

Using a Reclaim Catcher is your best option. It's like an ash catcher, except instead of catching ash, it's catching something more valuable. Most of them have a non-stick silicon base that can handle hot and sticky substances. Or you can use a silicon bong to collect every last drop. They also have silicon dab tools to make the job even easier. It's easy when you have the right tools.

Common Reclaim Questions

Q: Why Does Reclaim sizzle?

A: Reclaim sizzles because it tends to have some water still in it, resin that has not come in contact with water will not sizzle.

Q: Why is Reclaim dark?

A: Reclaim is dark because the concentrates are partially burned.

Q: Why does Reclaim taste bad?

A: Reclaim doesn’t necessarily taste bad (if you ask us) but the loss of much of its terpene content greatly diminishes the taste.

Q: Can Reclaim go bad?

A: Reclaim can grow mildew under certain damp conditions when still mixed with water.

Q: What is a Reclaim Catcher?

A: A Reclaim Catcher catches reclaim within its silicone jar, preventing reclaim from entering the pipe and making it super easy to reuse if desired.

Q: Are Reclaim Catchers worth it?

A: To keep your piece clean, certainly reclaim catchers are worth it, but more so to catch that reclaim, a reclaim catcher will pay for itself within 20 sessions!

Got Questions?

Let us know what you’re thinking by commenting below.