jcurtis55
Junior Member
Posts: 324
First Name: Jeff
Favorite Pipe: Winslow Crown Viking
Favorite Tobacco: Dominican Glory Maduro
Location:
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Post by jcurtis55 on Jan 17, 2021 20:45:55 GMT -5
As a relatively new pipe smoker, I am curious about cleaning pipes. All I've done so far is run a pipe cleaner through the stem and shank a couple of times after a smoke. I read today you should let the pipe cool some prior to running through the pipe cleaner, which I have not been doing.
How often do you do a more thorough cleanings? What do you do? Soak a pipe cleaner in alcohol before pushing it through the pipe? Polish the stem? Looking for guidance.
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Post by username on Jan 17, 2021 21:06:40 GMT -5
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Post by trailboss on Jan 17, 2021 21:17:22 GMT -5
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jcurtis55
Junior Member
Posts: 324
First Name: Jeff
Favorite Pipe: Winslow Crown Viking
Favorite Tobacco: Dominican Glory Maduro
Location:
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Post by jcurtis55 on Jan 17, 2021 22:27:27 GMT -5
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Post by Professor S. on Jan 17, 2021 22:34:26 GMT -5
Thank you.
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Post by kxg on Jan 17, 2021 23:46:24 GMT -5
I use pipe cleaners after each smoke, letting the pipe cool before removing the stem. I wipe the pipe down with a soft cloth. I don’t do any deeper cleaning unless the pipe calls for it, which is rarely.
Enjoy your pipe smoking journey!
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Post by urbino on Jan 18, 2021 3:33:46 GMT -5
The only problem with taking the pipe apart immediately is, with the shank swollen with hot moisture, you run a risk of snapping the tenon off, trying to pull it apart. I'm not aware that taking it apart immediately is in itself a problem.
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jcurtis55
Junior Member
Posts: 324
First Name: Jeff
Favorite Pipe: Winslow Crown Viking
Favorite Tobacco: Dominican Glory Maduro
Location:
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Post by jcurtis55 on Jan 18, 2021 9:09:33 GMT -5
The only problem with taking the pipe apart immediately is, with the shank swollen with hot moisture, you run a risk of snapping the tenon off, trying to pull it apart. I'm not aware that taking it apart immediately is in itself a problem. I've read that taking the pipe apart when hot will eventually lead to a loose stem. |
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Post by mrlunting on Jan 18, 2021 9:27:46 GMT -5
The only problem with taking the pipe apart immediately is, with the shank swollen with hot moisture, you run a risk of snapping the tenon off, trying to pull it apart. I'm not aware that taking it apart immediately is in itself a problem. I've read that taking the pipe apart when hot will eventually lead to a loose stem. Definitely. While the pipe is warm I use a paper towel to wipe out the bowl. I prefer a clean pipe, no cake for me. Rarely have I had to do a good cleaning. |
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Post by urbino on Jan 18, 2021 18:36:53 GMT -5
I've read that taking the pipe apart when hot will eventually lead to a loose stem. Definitely. While the pipe is warm I use a paper towel to wipe out the bowl. I prefer a clean pipe, no cake for me. Rarely have I had to do a good cleaning. Good to know. Can't quite see what the mechanism would be, though. During the smoke, the shank gets steamed and swells. You take the stem out, it dries and shrinks again. You leave the stem in, it dries and shrinks again, but more slowly. Does the faster drying lead to over-shrink? IOW, if it swelled 1x in use, it shrinks 1.1x if it dries too quickly. Something along those lines? |
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jay
Junior Member
Edward's Pipes....only Edward's pipes....and Buccaneer in the bowl
Posts: 442 
First Name: Jay
Favorite Pipe: Edwards handmade
Favorite Tobacco: Buccaneer, Special Balkan, Scottish Moor
Location:
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Post by jay on Jan 18, 2021 19:15:09 GMT -5
Because the two materials expand at different rates due to the heat, it's better to let them both cool before removing the stem. Otherwise, you risk cracking the shank. As for cleaning, pipe cleaners right after the smoke remove excess moisture, so it doesn't get absorbed into the briar. Beyond that, you may want to occasionally swab the inside of the bowl with brandy. If the tendon and tenon hole are the same length/depth, then you can leave the stem in place because there's little or no gunk build-up in that little pocket. All of the suggestions here are good ones, so pick and choose and experiment.
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Post by urbino on Jan 18, 2021 20:35:27 GMT -5
Because the two materials expand at different rates due to the heat, it's better to let them both cool before removing the stem. Otherwise, you risk cracking the shank. As for cleaning, pipe cleaners right after the smoke remove excess moisture, so it doesn't get absorbed into the briar. Beyond that, you may want to occasionally swab the inside of the bowl with brandy. If the tendon and tenon hole are the same length/depth, then you can leave the stem in place because there's little or no gunk build-up in that little pocket. All of the suggestions here are good ones, so pick and choose and experiment. But that's what I said in the first place, more or less: the reason not to take it apart when it's hot is it risks breaking something. Others said it's because you can develop a loose stem-shank interface, which may perfectly well be the case. I just don't understand what the mechanism would be. Or are you saying the mechanism by which it would get loose is you crack the shank? |
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 18, 2021 20:46:20 GMT -5
Because the two materials expand at different rates due to the heat, it's better to let them both cool before removing the stem. Otherwise, you risk cracking the shank. As for cleaning, pipe cleaners right after the smoke remove excess moisture, so it doesn't get absorbed into the briar. Beyond that, you may want to occasionally swab the inside of the bowl with brandy. If the tendon and tenon hole are the same length/depth, then you can leave the stem in place because there's little or no gunk build-up in that little pocket. All of the suggestions here are good ones, so pick and choose and experiment. But that's what I said in the first place, more or less: the reason not to take it apart when it's hot is it risks breaking something. Others said it's because you can develop a loose stem-shank interface, which may perfectly well be the case. I just don't understand what the mechanism would be. Or are you saying the mechanism by which it would get loose is you crack the shank? Even a perfectly fitted stem can get too loose or tight if it's shipped separated. It's complicated. |
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Post by urbino on Jan 18, 2021 20:51:55 GMT -5
But that's what I said in the first place, more or less: the reason not to take it apart when it's hot is it risks breaking something. Others said it's because you can develop a loose stem-shank interface, which may perfectly well be the case. I just don't understand what the mechanism would be. Or are you saying the mechanism by which it would get loose is you crack the shank? Even a perfectly fitted stem can get too loose or tight if it's shipped separated. It's complicated. Shipped? |
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 18, 2021 21:18:15 GMT -5
Even a perfectly fitted stem can get too loose or tight if it's shipped separated. It's complicated. Shipped? If I buy a new pipe and it's shipped with the stem out so it will fit in a smaller box it is invariably too tight. If an estate is shipped separated it is usually too loose. |
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Post by CrustyCat on Jan 19, 2021 0:01:15 GMT -5
The pipe I mostly use as a screw in mouthpiece. Shouldn't be any trouble there right?
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Post by trailboss on Jan 19, 2021 7:28:10 GMT -5
The most frequent issue that I see with threaded stems is being over-clocked by being over tightened.
That is when the stem screwed is out of alignment, giving you a cockeyed bowl.
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Post by CrustyCat on Jan 19, 2021 11:32:26 GMT -5
The most frequent issue that I see with threaded stems is being over-clocked by being over tightened. That is when the stem screwed is out of alignment, giving you a cockeyed bowl. ahhh, but it's the amazing ajustomatic.  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 19, 2021 11:58:24 GMT -5
It's been said before (by me and others), but I always remove the stem from the pipe just after smoking, to run a pipe cleaner through it, and I've never had an issue yet.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 19, 2021 12:44:28 GMT -5
The pipe I mostly use as a screw in mouthpiece. Shouldn't be any trouble there right? Nope. if it stays gunked up for a couple of decades it will be hard to get apart and then you have to use boiling water. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 19, 2021 12:44:58 GMT -5
It's been said before (by me and others), but I always remove the stem from the pipe just after smoking, to run a pipe cleaner through it, and I've never had an issue yet. You can't hurt a cob! 😁 🤠 |
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 19, 2021 12:45:43 GMT -5
The most frequent issue that I see with threaded stems is being over-clocked by being over tightened. That is when the stem screwed is out of alignment, giving you a cockeyed bowl. Just keep turning until it's aligned and STOP 🛑. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 19, 2021 14:57:59 GMT -5
It's been said before (by me and others), but I always remove the stem from the pipe just after smoking, to run a pipe cleaner through it, and I've never had an issue yet. You can't hurt a cob! 😁 🤠 Lol, true that. |
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