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Post by coalsmoke on Dec 11, 2023 20:08:13 GMT -5
How the hell would I know? Wow. Thanks, guys. I have a Digby Colossus (estate) that hasn’r smoke right since I got it. Tried the salt and alcohol treatment. All I had was vodka buit it sure seemed to work. Best smoke I’ve ever had from that pipe. I was asking Russ, noted cat owner. Excellent news on the Digby! Don't really have any cat snot problems. Lily's pretty good about not throwing up most of the time and always uses her box. I think that if anything gets the white vinegar treatment for being sour, my wife would use it on me. lol |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 11, 2023 20:09:43 GMT -5
Sorry. Flippant answer. Unmerited. Thanks. for the congrats. I am really grateful for the excellent info.
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Post by urbino on Dec 11, 2023 20:12:12 GMT -5
Sorry. Flippant answer. Unmerited. Thanks. for the congrats. I am really grateful for the excellent info. Sounds like you need Lily to come by and teach Eli how not to wipe his nose on the window.  "Eli Lily" . . . where have I heard that before? |
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Post by urbino on Dec 11, 2023 21:08:39 GMT -5
Eli does sound like a lovable rascal, though.
(Sorry, guys. I now return the thread to its original programming.)
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Post by trailboss on Dec 12, 2023 9:35:14 GMT -5
I think that Bob should trap a Bobcat and test it anyway, I have a bunch of Q-Tips that I can donate for the experiment.
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 12, 2023 11:02:39 GMT -5
Factoid: bobcats, do not like to be trapped.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 12, 2023 11:18:49 GMT -5
Factoid: bobcats, do not like to be trapped. That would really elevate the excitement when you swab the nose with Vinegar…. Do it for science, Bob! |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 12, 2023 12:25:50 GMT -5
The last bobcat that came visiting was sniffing around the woodshop. Eli wanted out in the worst way— which may have transpired had I let him go after it.
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Post by Goldbrick on Dec 12, 2023 14:24:02 GMT -5
How the hell would I know? Wow. Thanks, guys. I have a Digby Colossus (estate) that hasn’r smoke right since I got it. Tried the salt and alcohol treatment. All I had was vodka buit it sure seemed to work. Best smoke I’ve ever had from that pipe. All bobcats, and dog snot aside, I'm glad the thread was a help with pipes for you and matt, and in matts case{Maybe you did but} always plug the shank end with a doubled over pipe cleaner, use only 9 or 10 drops of alcohol on the salt, and let it set overnight...and trailboss is right on the money, clean the heck out of the shank... My New Years wish for all of us is...Clean Pipes and Sweet Smokes! Everything after that is above my pay grade. |
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Post by urbino on Dec 12, 2023 16:36:42 GMT -5
How the hell would I know? Wow. Thanks, guys. I have a Digby Colossus (estate) that hasn’r smoke right since I got it. Tried the salt and alcohol treatment. All I had was vodka buit it sure seemed to work. Best smoke I’ve ever had from that pipe. All bobcats, and dog snot aside, I'm glad the thread was a help with pipes for you and matt, and in matts case{Maybe you did but} always plug the shank end with a doubled over pipe cleaner, use only 9 or 10 drops of alcohol on the salt, and let it set overnight...and trailboss is right on the money, clean the heck out of the shank... My New Years wish for all of us is...Clean Pipes and Sweet Smokes! Everything after that is above my pay grade. Sorry for pirating the thread, Herb. Yes, it has been a very helpful one. |
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matt
Junior Member
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Post by matt on Dec 13, 2023 9:50:03 GMT -5
I’ve been down the pipe cleaning rabbit hole on YouTube for a few days now. I saw a video this morning where a man did the salt/alcohol method. Then he did another video on how to properly retort a pipe. He had a homemade vacuum tube contraption that he filled with alcohol, attached to his pipe, and then heated it to a boil forcing the alcohol into the pipe. It was an interesting method, but he kept mentioning how dangerous it was. To be honest, I cringed watching the video but I couldn’t look away. I guess it gets your pipe clean, but can’t you just dip some pipe cleaners and shank brushes in alcohol and do it that way???
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Post by coalsmoke on Dec 13, 2023 10:02:00 GMT -5
I’ve been down the pipe cleaning rabbit hole on YouTube for a few days now. I saw a video this morning where a man did the salt/alcohol method. Then he did another video on how to properly retort a pipe. He had a homemade vacuum tube contraption that he filled with alcohol, attached to his pipe, and then heated it to a boil forcing the alcohol into the pipe. It was an interesting method, but he kept mentioning how dangerous it was. To be honest, I cringed watching the video but I couldn’t look away. I guess it gets your pipe clean, but can’t you just dip some pipe cleaners and shank brushes in alcohol and do it that way??? Using pipe cleaners dipped in alcohol is one method that I use to tune up a pipe. If needed in the case of a "sour pipe", I use cotton instead of salt in the bowl and then add alcohol with a plastic pipette. I also pack the shank with as many pipe cleaners as I can and then use the pipette to carefully add alcohol to the cleaners just at the opening of the shank. After sitting overnight, you'd be surprised at what's absorbed by the cotton and pipe cleaners. |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 13, 2023 11:20:33 GMT -5
After my success with the salt/alcohol treatment on the Digby I tried it with a Dunhill Shell that has never smoked particularly well. I’ll be trying a smoke later this morning. But I don’t quite understand what the purpose of the salt is. What does it add to the process?
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 13, 2023 11:29:49 GMT -5
After my success with the salt/alcohol treatment on the Digby I tried it with a Dunhill Shell that has never smoked particularly well. I’ll be trying a smoke later this morning. But I don’t quite understand what the purpose of the salt is. What does it add to the process? I think what the salt does, is it helps to remove some of the aqueous element of the solution you're using (as it's only maybe around 40-60% alcohol), thus making the alcohol more potent at dissolving the nastiness in the bowl. If you were to get your hands on 100% alcohol then you wouldn't need the salt so much (that said, it also helps to scrub the bowl a little if you so desire). It's also a good disinfectant. |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 13, 2023 18:11:53 GMT -5
I test-smoked that Dunhill. A very great improvement. I tried Russ’s suggestion of salt and a very little alcohol. The salt formed a hard crust on top that it doesn’t do with more alcohol. The Dunhill could still be improved. Next time I will saturate the salt with the alcohol as i did with the Colossus. Thanks again, guys.
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Post by coalsmoke on Dec 13, 2023 18:50:31 GMT -5
I test-smoked that Dunhill. A very great improvement. I tried Russ’s suggestion of salt and a very little alcohol. The salt formed a hard crust on top that it doesn’t do with more alcohol. The Dunhill could still be improved. Next time I will saturate the salt with the alcohol as i did with the Colossus. Thanks again, guys. A small misunderstanding....I use cotton and not salt. |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 13, 2023 18:54:24 GMT -5
Ah! My bad. Thanks, Russ. I will try that, too.
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Post by lizardonarock on Dec 14, 2023 14:50:03 GMT -5
Into the oven at 300F for thirty minutes those smells just fade away in a good way. The heat will open up the pores of the briar releasing the yucky smell. Clean with your favorite alcohol and do not go cheapo on the pipe cleaners.
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 16:31:24 GMT -5
Into the oven at 300F for thirty minutes those smells just fade away in a good way. The heat will open up the pores of the briar releasing the yucky smell. Clean with your favorite alcohol and do not go cheapo on the pipe cleaners. Interesting. Never heard of that one. Does the house reek, afterwards? |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 14, 2023 17:05:19 GMT -5
I may be ‘overprotective’ but I would be hesitant to put a pipe into a 300° oven. I’be afraid if damaging it and perhaps driving the sourness even deeper.
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Post by lizardonarock on Dec 14, 2023 21:23:53 GMT -5
GL Pease from a story about collecting GBD Virgin pipes. The article evades me but I have used it and it works. In God and GL Pease we trust and so it is written.
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matt
Junior Member
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Post by matt on Dec 18, 2023 17:14:55 GMT -5
 This has only been soaking for half the day. I scraped the bowl out pretty good before applying the salt and alcohol. I’m kinda excited to sit down and get started on this tomorrow. This is like an ASMR for pipe people. |
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Singed
New Member
Posts: 34
Favorite Pipe: SMS Tomato Meerschaum
Favorite Tobacco: McClelland 2050 (discontinued)
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Post by Singed on Dec 20, 2023 11:03:37 GMT -5
I'm not a fan of a lengthy DGT for just that reason. I can wait a short while before relighting, say when I put my pipe in my pocket when popping back into the house for something, but not much longer. I find the momentum of the smoke gets dampened and the tobacco flavor takes on a more ashen character. I know, I know, I'm getting funny in my old age. LOL. I concur, if the pipe goes cold it never seems to taste the same. Everybody relights but there is something about cooling off that I'm sure changes the flavour of the tobacco. I never sit a cigar down and come back to it either, same reasons. |
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Singed
New Member
Posts: 34
Favorite Pipe: SMS Tomato Meerschaum
Favorite Tobacco: McClelland 2050 (discontinued)
Location:
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Post by Singed on Dec 20, 2023 11:21:30 GMT -5
NB: Regarding alcohol treatment, cotton or salt.
I do not recommend this procedure on any cob.
By all means take a paper towel moistened with alcohol and wipe the bowl interior, definitely run a few moistened pipe cleaners through the shank and stem.
As an experiment on another forum I treated a cob that was on its way out anyway. Doing a complete salt fill and alcohol led to expansion in the bowl and deterioration of all adhesives. The pipe wound up deformed, cracked and the shank fell out. Irreparable
It was bound for the bin anyway because it was so foul. The treatment removed the sludge well, but ruined the cob because it absorbed so much.
I have used alcohol treatment on meerschaums very successfully.
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Post by coalsmoke on Dec 20, 2023 11:39:15 GMT -5
NB: Regarding alcohol treatment, cotton or salt. I do not recommend this procedure on any cob. By all means take a paper towel moistened with alcohol and wipe the bowl interior, definitely run a few moistened pipe cleaners through the shank and stem. As an experiment on another forum I treated a cob that was on its way out anyway. Doing a complete salt fill and alcohol led to expansion in the bowl and deterioration of all adhesives. The pipe wound up deformed, cracked and the shank fell out. Irreparable It was bound for the bin anyway because it was so foul. The treatment removed the sludge well, but ruined the cob because it absorbed so much. I have used alcohol treatment on meerschaums very successfully. In my readings I've come across comments by other pipe smokers who don't recommend using salt in a briar pipe for the reason that you experienced with your cob. It's believed the salt can actually draw out all of the moisture from the briar resulting in cracking. That's why I use cotton and alcohol. |
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Post by Silver on Dec 20, 2023 11:51:44 GMT -5
NB: Regarding alcohol treatment, cotton or salt. I do not recommend this procedure on any cob. By all means take a paper towel moistened with alcohol and wipe the bowl interior, definitely run a few moistened pipe cleaners through the shank and stem. As an experiment on another forum I treated a cob that was on its way out anyway. Doing a complete salt fill and alcohol led to expansion in the bowl and deterioration of all adhesives. The pipe wound up deformed, cracked and the shank fell out. Irreparable It was bound for the bin anyway because it was so foul. The treatment removed the sludge well, but ruined the cob because it absorbed so much. I have used alcohol treatment on meerschaums very successfully. In my readings I've come across comments by other pipe smokers who don't recommend using salt in a briar pipe for the reason that you experienced with your cob. It's believed the salt can actually draw out all of the moisture from the briar resulting in cracking. That's why I use cotton and alcohol. Hmm. I've used kosher salt and 190 proof Everclear on a LOT of pipes. Never had a problem. Now, you've got me worried! |
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Post by coalsmoke on Dec 20, 2023 14:46:52 GMT -5
In my readings I've come across comments by other pipe smokers who don't recommend using salt in a briar pipe for the reason that you experienced with your cob. It's believed the salt can actually draw out all of the moisture from the briar resulting in cracking. That's why I use cotton and alcohol. Hmm. I've used kosher salt and 190 proof Everclear on a LOT of pipes. Never had a problem. Now, you've got me worried! Keep in mind that briar is stored and allowed to dry. If anything, salt may completely pull out all of the oils in the briar leaving it dry and brittle. So the thinking goes. |
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Post by urbino on Dec 20, 2023 16:17:29 GMT -5
I would think potentially a big factor in this is how long the salt is left in the pipe.
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Post by Silver on Dec 20, 2023 16:25:53 GMT -5
I would think potentially a big factor in this is how long the salt is left in the pipe. And how much gunk has absorbed into the briar. Although, at some point, the cake would serve as a barrier. Either way, I haven't cracked a bowl yet. Typically, keep the salt in overnight, with a couple rounds of alcohol. |
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