I wouldn't recommend boiling unless you don't want to save the resin, but it will clean a peice! I've heard of microwaving but never tried, it would probably reek to high heaven. I use the tip of my pocket knife blade for scraping the bowl because the edge has the same curve as the interior of the bowl and I have broken the bottom of the bowl using paper clips. Paper clips are used for the interior of the pipe and you just push the resin towards one of the openings (carb, or stem hole). If the resin is too thick or too solidified you can use a lighter to heat it lightly from the outside until it becomes a little more workable. I save up my vaporized herb and mix it heavily with the resin to both kill the taste of the resin and to maximize the vaporized herb. Then use a waterpipe or bubbler because it makes a lot of smoke and still tastes of feet and ass. This is of course a last resort stash and is rarely used.