What is a Reclaim?

Due to the recent spike in concentrate popularity, many of us cannabis enthusiasts have taken a dab or two by now. In doing so, you may have noticed an accumulation of resin inside of your rig that looks kind of like the dab you just inhaled, only darker. So, what exactly is that goopy resin? The answer is reclaim, and there’s a lot more to it than you may think. What

Similar to resin in a pipe, reclaim is the residue that builds up in your dab rig after dabbing concentrate. It typically has an orange or brown color and, like resin, can have high levels of THC.

In fact, Massachusetts-based MCR Labs tested four samples of reclaim, and THC levels were found to be between 30% and 60%. MCR Labs also found that reclaim contains all major cannabinoids, with higher levels of cannabinol (CBN), which is typically associated with increased feelings of sleepiness or drowsiness, than you would typically find in concentrates or flower.

So, what is Reclaim?

Similar to resin in a pipe, reclaim is the residue that builds up in your dab rig after dabbing concentrate. It typically has an orange or brown color and, like resin, can have high levels of THC.

In fact, Massachusetts-based MCR Labs tested four samples of reclaim, and THC levels were found to be between 30% and 60%. MCR Labs also found that reclaim contains all major cannabinoids, with higher levels of cannabinol (CBN), which is typically associated with increased feelings of sleepiness or drowsiness, than you would typically find in concentrates or flower.

A cannabis testing lab called MCR Labs recently tested several samples of dabbing reclaim and discovered that they not only still had fairly high concentrations of THC (40-50%), but that they were also relatively abundant in at least 4 other cannabinoids, including CBN.

They also affirmed that reclaim is at least 85% decarboxylated due to the high temperatures associated with dabbing. This means that it is very potent when infused or added into food or drinks, and can also be applied topically and be absorbed into the skin effectively.

Note: Reclaim melts easily into coffee or hot chocolate, and can be applied to just about any food you can imagine. To avoid its spicy flavor and sticky texture, it can be filled into empty gel caps for easy ingestion. BUT, always start slow when eating or otherwise ingesting reclaim. Its effects are quick and hard hitting, then long lasting. You can always eat more, but you cannot undo it.

Of course, you can also dab it again. It will lack a substantial amount of its original terpenes, and due to the elevated CBN ratio it may deliver slightly more sedative effects than you remember from the fresh dabs, but it will give you a much needed head change on one of those rainy days.

HOW TO LAY CLAIM TO YOUR RECLAIM?

Reclaim, like pipe or bong resin, is very sticky and unwieldy if you try to manipulate it with your fingers or hands. Just don’t.

Extremely hot water will reactivate it, and if you can loosen and drain some of those large balls or chunks of reclaim onto a non-stick surface like a silicone pad, that is ideal. But water rarely does the trick on its own.

For a crystal clear cleaning, you’ll likely need to resort to a non-toxic cleaner like the ones we offer here at The Dab Lab. Or, for a really sticky situation, perhaps some isopropyl alcohol or grain alcohol.

You really need to consider what your plan is for the reclaim once you have recovered it.

If you plan to ingest it, non-toxic options or grain alcohol is probably your best bet.

Anytime you use a solvent, the reclaim will break down and mix evenly with the fluid solvent that you used. That mixture then must be allowed to spread as thin as possible so that all residual solvent can evaporate out, eventually leaving you with a sticky film of leftover reclaim.

If you really want to smoke or dab it again, the methods above are not ideal, and you should consider investing in a simple  drop down attachment or a reclaimer adapter for your favorite dab rig. A proper drop down will trap a vast majority of your reclaim in a dry chamber before it ever reaches your percolator and your water.

When that trap chamber begins to reach its limit, simply detach the drop down from your rig, flip it over, and apply a gentle amount of heat as you watch the honey-like reclaim ooze its way down and out of your drop down and onto your non-stick silicone surface below.

How to collect reclaim and clean a dab?

Reclaim can start to build up quickly, especially for first-time dabbers because they aren’t as adept at heating the nail properly. Heating a dab nail too low can leave behind a puddle, but heating it too high can burn your dabs. Regular cleaning can ensure your dab rig hits perfectly and your dabs taste exquisite.

A drop-down attachment or reclaim catcher allows you to move your nail further from your dab rig and collect reclaim as it falls through the downstem, respectively. To collect reclaim from these accessories, you can place your attachments on a silicone pad and carefully heat them with your blow torch to get the oils to drip down onto the pad for collection.

If you don’t have a reclaim collector attachment, you can remove reclaim from your glass rig with high-proof alcohol, a hot plate, a razor blade, paper towels, and a Pyrex dish. Here’s a step-by-step guide to collecting your reclaim:

1. Fill your dab rig with enough alcohol to cover the reclaim-encrusted portions.
2. Cover the mouthpiece and glass joint with a piece of paper towel to ensure no water spills out.
3. Covering the mouthpiece and glass joint, shake the piece to dislodge the reclaim.
4. Run the rig under hot water, if needed, where the reclaim remains stuck.
5. Repeat shaking the solution until the reclaim is removed.
6. Pour the alcohol solution into a Pyrex dish.
7. Heat the dish on a hot plate at the lowest temperature possible. Do not heat your dish over an open flame because the evaporated alcohol is flammable.
8. After the liquid has evaporated, let your reclaim sit for a day to air dry.
9. Scrape the reclaim with a razor blade and use it as desired.

How to use reclaim?

Reclaim that was collected using the alcohol solution is not suitable for consumption unless the solution has been purged. Reclaim can be used for dabbing, edibles, tinctures and topicals. Reclaim dabs won’t taste as flavorful as their original form, but still have plenty of cannabinoids. Reclaim is already decarboxylated, meaning you can add them into any cooking recipe to make weed-infused edibles.

Leftover reclaim in your dab rig can make your dabs taste harsher. Collecting your reclaim can give you something to dab on days when you’re running low on concentrates. Cleaning your dab rig from reclaim ensures your dabs are tasting flavorful and potent without any harsh-tasting smoke flavors.