|
|
Post by Plainsman on Feb 22, 2021 22:12:49 GMT -5
I clean my pipes after every bowl, after they cool down. Don’t worry much about that with the Army mounts. But after a while theyh seem to need more than a quick swizzle with a pipe cleaner. This I have been doing with a cleaner with some vodka on it. Cleans out a lot more crud. What does everybody else do? Or do you even bother with it?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Feb 22, 2021 22:16:50 GMT -5
Same, except I use rum or bourbon.
|
|
|
|
Post by taiguy66 on Feb 22, 2021 22:58:48 GMT -5
Pipe cleaners every time I’m done. Easy peasy....
|
|
|
|
Post by puffy on Feb 22, 2021 23:01:12 GMT -5
I use Rum
|
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Feb 22, 2021 23:10:20 GMT -5
It is good to run a pipe cleaner after every smoke, and that certainly helps maintain your pipe.
Just my experience...pipes eventually need a deep cleaning and only a solvent (Everclear type alcohol) soaked pipe cleaner or nylon bristle brush will do. The nasty gunk that collects (mostly) in the shank left uncleansed results in a situation like a septic tank that needs servicing.
That "crud" is a harbinger of bad things to come....when a pipe seems to wane on delivering the smoke one previously enjoyed, it is not the fault of the vehicle, but more of negligence on the operator to see the loss of performance, and to service the vehicle.
|
|
|
|
Post by Goldbrick on Feb 22, 2021 23:16:27 GMT -5
Vanilla flavored vodka...for deeper cleaning 190 proof Everclear. Everclear will kill most anything, so it's great for estate pipes; I hardly use it anymore ,unless I let one slide for too long.
|
|
|
|
Post by isett2860 on Feb 23, 2021 0:11:22 GMT -5
I use the Decatur Pipe Shield Briar-Fresh. That I get from P&C for $3.29. 1 bottle will last me about 6 months.
I use it after every bowl. Dip one end of the pipe cleaner. And run it in and out, then repeat with the dry end. Then run it around the inside of the bowl.
Except for my cobs, which get used regularly. I try and rotate through briars and meers and not repeat the same pipe, usually. So I can go more than 2 months without smoking the same pipe.
Byut twice a year. I will sit down with all of them and run the bristle cleaners and brushs and Qtips and paper towels and more Briar fresh.
I don’t keep Everclear around, If I was having one of those days. I’d drink the pipe cleaner and wind up cleaning myself out😝
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 0:57:12 GMT -5
I don’t keep Everclear around, If I was having one of those days. I’d drink the pipe cleaner and wind up cleaning myself out😝 I used to use Everclear, but then one night I wanted Bloody Mary's and was out of Vodka. So I drank the Everclear and now use 70% isopropyl to clean my pipes. I have 99% for the tougher jobs. I do understand that it makes sense to put stuff in your pipe that is human-friendly, but all alcohol evaporates or burns off very quickly. |
|
|
|
Post by Legend Lover on Feb 23, 2021 8:02:15 GMT -5
Pipe cleaners every time I’m done. Easy peasy.... Same here... Pipe cleaner after every smoke and that's me. If I get an estate off ebay (which I haven't in years), I'd fill it with salt/cotton balls and whiskey. |
|
|
|
Post by taiguy66 on Feb 23, 2021 9:20:45 GMT -5
Pipe cleaners every time I’m done. Easy peasy.... Same here... Pipe cleaner after every smoke and that's me. If I get an estate off ebay (which I haven't in years), I'd fill it with salt/cotton balls and whiskey. My last three pipes were estate sales. The sellers, I’ve dealt with, have done a marvellous job cleaning the pipe before bringing to market. Times are a changing..... |
|
|
|
Post by taiguy66 on Feb 23, 2021 9:26:54 GMT -5
Same, except I use rum or bourbon. It’s interesting how we all use different methods to clean our pipes: alcohol, pipe cleaners, Everclear etc. Whatever gets the job done I guess. Having said that, it’s good to know if I ever run out of pipe cleaners (my method), I can always use a crappy bottle of booze as my “Plan B.” |
|
|
|
Post by mrlunting on Feb 23, 2021 10:33:07 GMT -5
Pipe cleaner through the stem after every smoke, and a paper towel to wipe out the pot. Like Charlie said every now and then if I need a deeper cleaning, a high level alcohol.
|
|
|
|
Post by fadingdaylight on Feb 23, 2021 11:07:53 GMT -5
Dry pipe cleaner after each bowl, occasionally I sit down and go through all of them with whiskey and bristle pipe cleaners, just to keep them good and clean.
|
|
djo
Junior Member
Posts: 239
Location:
|
Post by djo on Feb 23, 2021 14:44:48 GMT -5
After each bowl I run a pipe cleaner through the pipe just to keep the stem clear. When the pipe lets me know it needs cleaning (generally by tasting funny) I use everclear and bristle pipe cleaners to scrub out the shank. That's it.
|
|
|
|
Post by rdpipes on Feb 23, 2021 15:10:41 GMT -5
Use to thoroughly clean all the pipes in my rotation at the end of each month, now I clean them when ever I think they need it........one at a time. I always run a cleaner through mine after a bowl but, nothing else unless warranted nowadays.
|
|
|
|
Post by Professor S. on Feb 23, 2021 18:45:59 GMT -5
Same, except I use rum or bourbon. Same. After every smoke, without fail. Any good tool is worth maintaining, and something I value as much as my pipe (and use as frequently) deserves the best servicing I can provide. |
|
|
|
Post by pepesdad1 on Feb 23, 2021 18:59:50 GMT -5
Me too! Run a cleaner through after every smoke and you never have to do much cleaning. |
|
|
|
Post by urbino on Feb 23, 2021 19:47:05 GMT -5
Haven't needed to use more than a few pipe cleaners, so far. When I do, I'll probably use some kind of light-colored whiskey.
|
|
|
|
Post by Plainsman on Feb 24, 2021 12:13:05 GMT -5
Same, except I use rum or bourbon. Excellent suggestion. No more vodka. Evan Williams all the way! |
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Feb 24, 2021 15:46:13 GMT -5
Same, except I use rum or bourbon. Excellent suggestion. No more vodka. Evan Williams all the way! I actually use Old Ezra!😁🤠 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2021 18:00:26 GMT -5
Same here... Pipe cleaner after every smoke and that's me. If I get an estate off ebay (which I haven't in years), I'd fill it with salt/cotton balls and whiskey. My last three pipes were estate sales. The sellers, I’ve dealt with, have done a marvellous job cleaning the pipe before bringing to market. Times are a changing..... Yes, it's hit or miss these days. As an estate pipe restorer, I try to sample inexpensive pipes from each of the restored pipe sellers on ebay, and then read their feedback to determine what buyers want. Several are now friends and we discuss things, so maybe that will help us all in the long run. The only thing that can't be undone is pipes that have been over-sanded, especially the stems. All else can be dealt with, but I have the materials to do so - a lot of ebay buyers aren't prepared to restore a supposedly restored pipe. Anyway, it's fun and generally inexpensive. |
|
|
|
Post by instymp on Feb 24, 2021 18:28:56 GMT -5
Use to thoroughly clean all the pipes in my rotation at the end of each month, now I clean them when ever I think they need it........one at a time. I always run a cleaner through mine after a bowl but, nothing else unless warranted nowadays. I clean them when they tell me they need it also. 151 rum or everclear.
|
|
|
|
Post by daveinlax on Feb 24, 2021 18:39:56 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close.  |
|
|
|
Post by rdpipes on Feb 24, 2021 19:12:54 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. Gotta agree with Dave, I've been using 99% alcohol when doing a through clean for many years, you just have to be careful not to get it on the finish. |
|
|
|
Post by Plainsman on Feb 24, 2021 19:22:47 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. Gotta agree with Dave, I've been using 99% alcohol when doing a through clean for many years, you just have to be careful not to get it on the finish. Yeah, OK. But a liquor clean is... cool. Alk is just, you know, pedestrian.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2021 19:23:03 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. That's good to hear. I've got to check Walmart. I've been ordering 99% by the gallon on Amazon. On the other hand, I'm good for several years! |
|
|
|
Post by rdpipes on Feb 24, 2021 19:25:13 GMT -5
Gotta agree with Dave, I've been using 99% alcohol when doing a through clean for many years, you just have to be careful not to get it on the finish. Yeah, OK. But a liquor clean is... cool. Alk is just, you know, pedestrian. Some of us, like me can't have liquor in the house so............... |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2021 19:26:53 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. Gotta agree with Dave, I've been using 99% alcohol when doing a through clean for many years, you just have to be careful not to get it on the finish. Well, anything you and Dave recommend, I can go with. Today was one of the few times I've had an issue with getting alcohol on the finish - I have a 6.5" Dunhill (kind of a wide mortise) that I was doing the salt/alcohol soak on, and had a brain fart and forgot to tilt the shank up high enough.  ...it's okay, though, as I caught it quickly. |
|
|
|
Post by instymp on Feb 24, 2021 19:26:59 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. I believe you, but.... if I cant drink it I prefer to keep it out of my pipes. Just a health freak thing with me. |
|
|
|
Post by rdpipes on Feb 24, 2021 19:27:16 GMT -5
Save the liquor for your glass. It doesn't clean the tar like the .99 cent 97% alcohol from Walmart does. I've tested it and it's not even close. That's good to hear. I've got to check Walmart. I've been ordering 99% by the gallon on Amazon. On the other hand, I'm good for several years! I order mine online as well, not Amazon but, through cheaper distributors because not ALL Pharmacies carry 99% and 70% you might as well use water. |
|
...it's okay, though, as I caught it quickly.