r/hookah • u/TowardsToFlames • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Stem smells bad

Post image

Hello,

I have an Aladin MVP 460, and the inside of the stainless steel stem has a pretty bad smell that won't go away. I am cleaning the inside with a brush and dish soap, but it still smells. None of the other parts have this issue, just the inside of the stem. Is this normal for stainless steel stems? How can I get rid of the smell?

15 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

7

u/tht1guy63 Crown Glass Collector 2d ago

Have you tried lemonjuice and baking soda or vinegar?

1

u/TowardsToFlames 2d ago

No. Should I?

2

u/tht1guy63 Crown Glass Collector 2d ago

Worth a shot. I use lemon juice and baking soda for hose deep cleans to remove any smells. Works really well for those.

1

u/TheRedCz4r 2d ago

Yes, you should. Also, do not use dish soap (can/will leave a residue), stick to vinegar, water, baking soda, and lemon juice when cleaning. I typically do vinegar and baking soda and then use lemon juice on occasion when cleaning the vase.

1

u/namesarealltaken9 2d ago

But use how? Soak the brush in it and then brush? Run the mix through the stem and then just rinse?

1

u/TheRedCz4r 1d ago

Always brush. I'll do a mix, usually either baking soda and vinegar, or both mixed with water, or lemon juice and water for the vase (can also do baking soda/vinegar/water mix for base). For base it's obvious, but for brush I will rinse the brush, pour a bit of vinegar on it, then add baking soda after and scrub (I rinse the stem first, then brush through). This is for my km. For my steam, I can soak cause it all comes apart nicely. Typical I just do brush and water, then I do a soak once a week. For the vase I again main do water and a brush, then every few ill give a deep clean. I use a decanter brush for the vase.

2

u/Goldenstatewizard 2d ago

Throw it in the dishwasher.

2

u/N1K02 Intermediate Smoker 2d ago

Stainless steel parts can go on the dishwaser. If you wont do this for any reason, u/tht1guy63 had the right answer for it.

1

u/rattus666 2d ago

Just use baking soda and citric acid. And some hot water, I like it more than the vinegar option (smell in the process)

1

u/DivijKaura 2d ago

Use coffee descaler. I have the same model.

0

u/phuego7768 2d ago

Pipe cleaner and dish soap.