stone
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Post by stone on Mar 11, 2020 10:47:57 GMT -5
While we all know that you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar, what would happen if you used sugar instead of salt to de-ghost a pipe?
I wonder what would happen if you filled a pipe with sugar and alcohol? Would sugar dissolve more? Would it leave a sticky residue?
I think I will grab an old junk pipe and find out  |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 11, 2020 10:51:35 GMT -5
Have you ever seen mold grow in a pipe? That's what will happen and you will have a real ghost to deal with. If you are having trouble be sure you have cleaned the shank thoroughly. Run a drill bit through it if you can't get it done with bristle cleaners and Everclear. I have a retort system for stubborn pipes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2020 11:08:25 GMT -5
Abort! Sorry to report, but that last retort is the last resort.
Think of your pipe as your gas tank when it comes to the idea of putting sugar into it.
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 11, 2020 11:16:52 GMT -5
Might be a sweet smoke.
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stone
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Post by stone on Mar 11, 2020 11:22:49 GMT -5
I would never do this to a good pipe, I was just curious. I have the ability to thoroughly clean a pipe and refinish it when done so I could be sure to get any bad stuff out. I took an old stummel and put the sugar and alcohol in it.....we will know tomorrow if it extracts the tars and oils or just makes a mess |
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Post by fadingdaylight on Mar 11, 2020 11:28:12 GMT -5
I can't imagine it being easy to cleanup
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Post by Goldbrick on Mar 11, 2020 13:03:42 GMT -5
I can't help but think that if sugar was of any value in pipe restoration we'd already know about, but then again, somebody has to be first!
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 11, 2020 13:06:54 GMT -5
You don't know if you don't try. You might discover an amazing new technique. Plus, you're sensible enough to use an old pipe so...
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briarbuck
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Post by briarbuck on Mar 11, 2020 13:26:49 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2020 17:56:55 GMT -5
Anyone who forgot the salt to long would be willing to try sugar. As long as the yuck yuck absorbs into it.
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Post by Kerley0319 on Mar 11, 2020 18:41:49 GMT -5
All my pipes are getting sour. Should I try this salt thing? What do you do? I only clean with pipe cleaners ever and every now and then I dip the pipe cleaner in rubbing alcohol and get the stem real clean
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 11, 2020 18:51:35 GMT -5
All my pipes are getting sour. Should I try this salt thing? What do you do? I only clean with pipe cleaners ever and every now and then I dip the pipe cleaner in rubbing alcohol and get the stem real clean I use 151 rum. |
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stone
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Post by stone on Mar 12, 2020 6:24:02 GMT -5
All my pipes are getting sour. Should I try this salt thing? What do you do? I only clean with pipe cleaners ever and every now and then I dip the pipe cleaner in rubbing alcohol and get the stem real clean I tried to find you a link but there are hundreds of videos and write ups on the net. But yes, the salt and alcohol will take the sour away but you may have to do it several times. I took some of my sourest pipes and reamed them out, scrubbed them out, and ran spinning brushes through the shank,and then had to do the salt and alcohol treatment 6 or 7 times until the salt didn't turn nasty brown.
Do some research before you do it so you don't damage the finish on the pipe. I don't think it matters much what alcohol you use, just get the highest % you can. And don't smoke the pipe for a few days after your done.
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stone
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Post by stone on Mar 12, 2020 7:51:43 GMT -5
Well, the sugar certainly is working but I'm not sure it proves anything
Would it make a pipe smoke sweeter? Who knows.
One thing is for sure, it was messier to work with than salt and if you didn't have the ability to buff a new shine into the stummel, it would probably not be worth the hassle of rinsing it out with hot water and rebuffing the finish.
It's possible that due to it's dissolving a little easier than the salt, it may suck more gunk out by creating more contact area with the inside of the pipe but I would not know how to compare?
I am going to take one of my pipes that I have been treating with salt and try the sugar and see if brings out more gunk.
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Post by pappyjoe on Mar 12, 2020 8:18:45 GMT -5
All my pipes are getting sour. Should I try this salt thing? What do you do? I only clean with pipe cleaners ever and every now and then I dip the pipe cleaner in rubbing alcohol and get the stem real clean This works for me... I use the salt and alcohol (190 proof grain alcohol) to remove ghosting and will sometime follow that with packing the bowl with damp used coffee grounds (regular not flavored). You could also consider dipping your pipe cleaners in drinkable alcohol and clean out the stem or the shank. Just know that alcohol can cause micro cracks in the airway of acrylic stems. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 12, 2020 10:29:50 GMT -5
Well, the sugar certainly is working but I'm not sure it proves anything
Would it make a pipe smoke sweeter? Who knows.
One thing is for sure, it was messier to work with than salt and if you didn't have the ability to buff a new shine into the stummel, it would probably not be worth the hassle of rinsing it out with hot water and rebuffing the finish.
It's possible that due to it's dissolving a little easier than the salt, it may suck more gunk out by creating more contact area with the inside of the pipe but I would not know how to compare?
I am going to take one of my pipes that I have been treating with salt and try the sugar and see if brings out more gunk.
Are you sure you didn't use demerara sugar? |
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chasingembers
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Post by chasingembers on Mar 13, 2020 8:02:17 GMT -5
I just use cotton balls. Easy cleanup.
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