That sticky amber residue in your dab rig isn't just gunk, it's reclaim, and you can collect it. Reclaim is leftover concentrate that condenses inside your rig after dabbing. It's already been vaporized once, so it's less flavorful and more sedative, but many people save it rather than waste it. Here's how to get reclaim out of a dab rig, cleanly and safely, plus the easiest way to never lose it in the first place.
What is reclaim?
Reclaim is the condensed oil that collects on the walls of your dab rig and banger after you dab. Because it's already been heated, it's changed, lower in flavor and terpenes, higher in the compounds that make it feel heavier. It's still usable, and collecting it keeps your rig cleaner too. If you dab low-temp, you'll produce less reclaim to begin with; see low-temp vs high-temp dabs.
Method 1: Hot water (simple)
The easiest solvent-free method for smaller amounts:
- Empty the rig, then rinse the reclaim-coated glass with very hot water to loosen the oil.
- Pour it slowly into a heat-safe dish, the reclaim separates and rises as the water cools.
- Let it cool, then skim or scrape the reclaim off. Note: water-collected reclaim is best for edibles, not re-dabbing, since it can hold moisture.
Method 2: The oven method (solvent-free, cleanest)
The best way to collect pure, re-dabbable reclaim without alcohol:
- Empty and fully dry the rig, no water.
- Place it upside down on a silicone mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Heat the oven low, around 175–200°F, and warm the rig for 30–45 minutes until the reclaim liquefies and drips onto the mat.
- Remove carefully with oven mitts and gather the pooled reclaim once it cools slightly.
A hair dryer or heat gun aimed at the dry rig over parchment works the same way for a quicker, smaller collection.
Method 3: The isopropyl alcohol method
Fast, but the reclaim isn't re-dabbable (this one's for cleaning, with reclaim as a bonus):
- Remove the banger and downstem if removable.
- Add isopropyl alcohol, shake gently to dissolve the reclaim, and pour into a heat-safe dish.
- Let the alcohol fully evaporate in a well-ventilated area, never over an open flame, alcohol is flammable. What's left is reclaim, best used for edibles.
This doubles as a rig clean, see how to clean a dab rig.
Method 4: Use a reclaim catcher (never lose it)
The smartest option is to catch reclaim before it ever coats your rig. A reclaim catcher is a small glass attachment that sits between your banger and the rig's joint, collecting condensed oil in a removable dish. No oven, no alcohol, just unscrew and scrape. It also keeps your rig dramatically cleaner. If you dab often, it pays for itself in saved concentrate and less cleaning.
Collection methods compared
| Method | Effort | Reclaim usable for |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water | Low | Edibles (may hold moisture) |
| Oven / heat | Medium | Re-dabbing or edibles (purest) |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Low | Edibles only (not re-dab) |
| Reclaim catcher | Very low, ongoing | Re-dabbing or edibles |
How to store reclaim
Keep collected reclaim in a silicone or glass concentrate container, somewhere cool and dark. It'll keep for a good while. Warm it slightly to make it easier to handle, and use it in a dab, in a joint, or infused into edibles.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get reclaim out of a dab rig?
Empty and dry the rig, then warm it in a low oven (175–200°F) on parchment so the reclaim liquefies and drips out, the cleanest re-dabbable method. For a quick job, hot water or an isopropyl-alcohol soak works, though those are best for reclaim used in edibles.
Is reclaim safe to use?
Reclaim is already-vaporized concentrate, so it's less flavorful and more sedating, but people commonly reuse it in dabs or edibles. Collect it cleanly (the oven method is purest), and if you use the alcohol method, make sure all the alcohol has fully evaporated first.
What is a reclaim catcher?
A reclaim catcher is a glass attachment that sits between your banger and your rig's joint, catching condensed oil in a removable dish before it coats the rig. It saves your reclaim automatically and keeps your dab rig much cleaner.
Can you re-dab reclaim?
Yes, especially reclaim collected with the oven or heat method, which stays pure. Water- or alcohol-collected reclaim can hold moisture or residue, so it's usually better in edibles than back in the banger.
How do you store reclaim?
Keep it in a silicone or glass concentrate jar somewhere cool and dark. Warm it slightly when you're ready to use it so it's easier to handle for dabbing, adding to a joint, or infusing into edibles.
Waste nothing
Whether you warm it out with the oven method or catch it automatically, reclaim is concentrate you already paid for, no reason to waste it. Keep your setup clean and efficient with our dab rigs, quartz bangers and carb caps.
