we did this in the desert when i lived there. We would start a kind of bon-fire, then get a big metal trash can put hose water in it, then put your bongs, pipes, everything in there, put it on the fire. Get a couple of lawn chairs, a bottle of jack d, some beer, some coke(pepsi), and lighter fluid. Just sit back look a tthe flames, get drunk, high, and throw more fluid on the fire when it needs it. Ahhhh how being a hick was so simple.
Peace and stay green

Alcohol And Hot soapy water rinse works great for all types of materials .

Liquid Plumber, spray on oven cleaner or any similar product, I don't know if that's safe on anything except glass or metal though. Just wet it all down and wrap in plastic so it doesn't dry out while the lye disolves the tar.

i usually use either "cleaner 454" or "bling" but my buddy has been using dish soap and hot water on mine and there sparkling clean

I use isopropyl alcohol and epsom salt. I've tried other combos of iso and rice, or "label remover" acetone type stuff, but iso and epsom take the cake.

I have one question on advice. The rubber grommet between the glass tube for inserting my bowl and the main body of the bong, never seems to let go of all the gunk and resin. I try to shake my cleaner around it, but it doesn't seem to work well. Any ideas? Should I even bother?

ya u should clean it just cause dirty resin builds up and creates bacteria, just buy another rubber gromet if need be