Best Way To Clean "bubble" Type Stems?

[poopooshaboo]

Just wondering if any MYA owners had any insight into the best way to clean the round, "bubble" type MYA stem.

Example:
http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EPARTMENT_ID=46

Ideas?

[Scoop]

unless im confused, its just a long metal shaft inside, use the shaft cleaner

[poopooshaboo]

It's not. At least, mine isn't. I don't have that exact stem. One second and I'll post a picture of mine.

[clickhea]

the bubble unscrews on mine.

the thing i dont like about my mya stem is how on the inside its not smooth, i can never tell when its clean and when its not clean.. if its rusting or if its not..

[poopooshaboo]

This is my stem. The entire bubble is hollow.

[poopooshaboo]

The bubble unscrews on mine too, I was just wondering how everyone got into it to clean, what they used, etc.

[Scoop]

oh, the common chamber...lol no idea. drop it in some bleach for a while, then soapy water, then just water? shrug

[poopooshaboo]

Thats an idea... But it seems like actually scrubbing it would work well, get crap off, you know? It doesn't seem like soaking it would get the junk off of the inside.

[SmokeMojo]

unless im confused, its just a long metal shaft inside, use the shaft cleaner

You might be confused, some of the older model Mya's had a brass shaft tube that went through the inside of the stem, but this changed between a year and two years ago. Most, if not all of the current models are shaped just as they look on the outside, on the inside as well.

I usually clean my Mya stems by running almost scolding hot water through them first for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then I run some cold water over the outside to cool it down enough to handle. After this I take my brush and insert it into the bottom end where the down stem would be and rotate the brush back and forth to pull the particles and buildup away that was loosened by that hot water. Push the brush back and forth inside of the stem too and then remove the brush. Run warm water through the stem again. Repeat the brush step from the top end where the bowl would go and again run warm water through the stem.

If the smoke session was heavy I'll do all of the above and then fill the sink or a big bowl with hot water and lemon juice. I place the stem and downstem inside of the bowl or sink and let it soak for a half hour to an hour. After this I repeat the brush steps and run warm water through it and it is usually purged of any particles that may get sucked through or cause odors.

This is just the way I clean mine, but it does work very well. I hope this helps!

[Andi87]

the bubble unscrews on mine.

the thing i dont like about my mya stem is how on the inside its not smooth, i can never tell when its clean and when its not clean.. if its rusting or if its not..

You can clean this with a toothbrush.

[Erica]

uuhhmm...

The upper part of the stem.. is not shapped like it looks. even on the new models.

The "heart" is easiest to clean I find, if you let it soak for a while, either with bleach, water/lemon juice or dish soap.... let it soak for like 1/2 hour-hour and buy a cleaning kit.. or take a sponge and clean the crap out of it..

Oh I also found that the dishwasher works pretty well too =o) for those lazy days

[poopooshaboo]

I think there is confusion on what I was talking about. I was referring to the big ball shaped area of the stem, what I think Scoop referred to as the "common chamber."

[SmokeMojo]

I think there is confusion on what I was talking about. I was referring to the big ball shaped area of the stem, what I think Scoop referred to as the "common chamber."

Doh. lol

Well I use pretty much the same technique on all parts of the stem but I think I'm going to try out the toothbrush idea, it's brilliant. I've been thinking about a wire brush kind of deal but I don't know how this will work with the metal?


Side note. On my Vortex stem, which I just recieved, the upper stem piece looks as though it follows the curves on the inside, that the outside has. Of course I cannot get in to really look at it like I want, but the metal is pretty thick on the upper stem so its not the EXACT shape of the outside.
I don't manufacture the hookahs, I'm giving advice based on my familiarity with them. The Vortex stems are slightly different than the majority of their other stems, just comparing pictures. It's very different than my older Mya stem too.

You are pretty familiar with the Mya's too correct Erica? If you happen to know the shape of the internals on the stems, I'd love to have a better idea on that. I can't tell how deep the curves go before coming back up.

[Sonthert]

The bell of the shank? This is one of my complaints with this design...how to clean it out? I would avoid the dishwasher (and its dishwashing detergent that sticks like crazy) and bleach. Rubbing alcohol, beer, vinegar, lemon juice all make some sense, but you will never be able to scrub inside there.

[poopooshaboo]

Someone invent a robotic scrubbing arm.

[Hannibal]

The bell of the shank? This is one of my complaints with this design...how to clean it out? I would avoid the dishwasher (and its dishwashing detergent that sticks like crazy) and bleach. Rubbing alcohol, beer, vinegar, lemon juice all make some sense, but you will never be able to scrub inside there.

Use some beer. Always use beer. Whatever you are doing, use beer. Except if you are operating heavy machinery......or working at a daycare.......

Actually as much I like the stuff I've never used it to clean anything. I guess I'll have to try that. I dont have a Mya but I would assume that you would clean that particular part just the same as any other part of the hookah. I use soap, then lemon juice, then water to rinse.

[Erica]

Every single stem I have ever seen made by Mya... Is a straight shot....it does not curve with the shape of the stem

The "heart" Or "chamber" or whatever... curve with the shape of the design


I never thought about the toothbrush thing, I assume that would be one of the eastiest ways to clean it though..

I'll have to try that... for when I send out some of my used pipes!

[ahwahoo2006]

I use the dishwasher (again, agree to disagree Sonthert) but without any soap. Also, you can fill the base with water and lemon juice or baking soda and let it soak. Additionally, if you put some epson salt in the base you can swirl it around for a more abrasive wash (if there's visible grime on the inside).

[ghostofdavid]

But cleaning with beer seems like such an awful waste of... beer!

[ahwahoo2006]

But cleaning with beer seems like such an awful waste of... beer!

QFT!!!

[poopooshaboo]

Erica, I have a very short piece that goes above my circular piece that is a straight shot, but the big piece the arrow is pointing to is completely hollow. Since it's a sphere, it's really hard to clean.

[Erica]

lol.. i understand that...

does your down stem not come off?

[poopooshaboo]

Yeah the downstem does, but the bubble still has smoke go into it (from when you pull) and thus I want to clean it.

[Erica]

lmao... I know that smoke goes through the chamber... LOL
I know that it needs to be cleaned.. LMAO.. I have tons of hookahs.. and have smoked hookah for a long time.. haha

I was asking is your down stem came off because I was wondering why you were having such a hard time cleaning inside of there... If the down stem didnt come off.. then It would be a whole lot harder to get a sponge or and paper towel or a tooth brush inside of the chamber... but it does.

[Sonthert]

AhWahoo, if the soap has a tendency not to be washed away, even though you use no soap in the load you are washing...how do you know that you aren't getting some from the last load? Huh?

I think, Erica, he's talking about the hollow area that the holes on the bottom of the hookah connect to...(Backwards) Hose...hose port...hollow bell...jar...water. The hollow bell is the area between the hose port and the top of the jar.