Collecting & Using Reclaim: A Defining Break Down Of Repurposing Residue

Cannabis is an attractive plant that can transform into different states. Combusting cannabis remains the most common form of consuming marijuana, though vaporizing comes at a close second. Though there are a few commonalities between the two, today, we’ll focus on residue. More specifically, the residue left from burning concentrates is formally called reclaim. 

Reclaim is the sticky, taffy-like byproduct of concentrates you’ll often find in your dab rig. It seems like black gunk stuck to your smoking device, but it can be worth preserving. Reclaim contains active cannabinoids that provide therapeutic relief and psychoactive compounds. Sure, there might be other choices if you have concentrates readily available. However, reclaim does the trick appropriately for those days you’re running low. 

Some people discard the reclaim whenever they’re cleaning out their dab rigs. Still, even those that preserve reclaim are only sometimes doing it effectively. There are a few ways to maximize. We’ll explore reclaim, how to collect it, and the best way to consume it.

What Is Reclaim? 

In short, reclaim is a recondensed form of cannabis concentrates. Reclaim will be produced once consumed, no matter if it is shatter, wax, or sauce. It’s a cold and sticky cousin of cannabis concentrates that’s old and found after dabbing. It’s composed of cannabis, ash, and tar from burning. Typically, reclaim will form on the walls and base of your dab rig. At the same time, you can find reclaim in the rig’s water. Ultimately,you can extract it from the liquid since we all know that oil and water do not mix. 

Resin is a natural product that comes from cannabis, but it, along with reclaim, shouldn’t be confused with hash or rosin. Both concentrates use fresh kief that press into their final form, whereas resin and reclaim rely on the leftovers you previously smoked. Reclaim can be colored anywhere from deep black to lighter yellow, depending on your rig’s concentration and cleanliness. 

Is It Safe To Consume Reclaim?

Consuming reclaim is possible, but experts don’t always recommend it. It is safe and will provide a high, but it’s less potent than concentrates. Massachusetts state-certified testing lab MCR labs recently shared a study that indicates reclaim contains active cannabinoids. 

While it’s possible to smoke reclaim, it won’t necessarily be the most incredible experience, especially in comparison to the original concentrate. Though it has active cannabinoids, there’s a significant loss of terpenes. As a result, reclaim contains little to no flavor or scent, so keep your expectations low if you’re thinking about collecting it out of your dab rig.

What’s The Best Way To Collect Reclaim Out Of Your Rig?

Collecting reclaim is a relatively simple process that can happen in two ways. The first way is to collect the reclaim out of the water. Pour the liquid from the dab rig and remove each little clump. It won’t amount to much, though, since you’ll mostly find reclaim stuck inside the walls of your rig. In this process, you’ll want to add the gathered reclaim and place it in a freezer. After five minutes, remove it and smack it on the counter. The water and reclaim will separate from each other. 

The second method of removing the reclaim from your rig requires a torch and some wax paper. You’re going to begin by similarly removing the water and separating the clumps. Then, allow the rig to dry out. You’ll remove the nail and hover the connector over the wax paper. Use the torch and let it melt into a liquid state and begin to drip. Through this process, you must maintain a decent temperature with your torch since it can burn the remaining cannabinoids if the connector gets too hot. 

How To Use Reclaim?

As mentioned earlier, using reclaim isn’t necessarily a pleasant experience. Most smokers would instead rely on fresh products — concentrates sealed in tamper-evident packaging. However, a few benefits exist to using reclaim to catch a buzz. First, ensure your products are dried and separated from the water.

The first method is to consume it as a dab. Just as you would with a regular rig, heat the nail with a torch, heat up to 500 and 650°F, and introduce your dabber tool with the reclaim to the nail. The taste won’t be up to par with the original concentrate, but it could provide a bit of a head buzz.

A benefit of reclaim is that it’s undergone the decarboxylated process. So, ingestion is another way to consume reclaim. Reclaim can be perfect for making edibles, whether you ingest it with a piece of chocolate or infuse it into butter. Since the heat from dabbing already removes terpenes, reclaim can add a bit of a punch while being easily masked by chocolate or other flavors. All you need to do to infuse it is to put a pan over low heat and allow the reclaim to melt. Then add some cooking oil and let it sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Afterward, use a cheesecloth to strain out any leftover bits of the reclaim in the oil.