Calabash Questions

I'm really enjoying my early Christmas calabash, it's a wood model from Altinok, not gourd, and I've got a few questions about maintenance, so prepare for some stupid questions :roll:

I've searched through the forums and read a lot of good info, but it all seems to be mainly for the gourd variety. You guys mention using alcohol to rinse the inside, but I'm afraid that might dry out the wood. Another thing is that the inside is a little rough:

Should I be concerned about this? Also I've smoked a few bowls over the past few days, and wiped the bowl after I'm done, I'm new to meers, but there's a lot more build up than I expected:

I hate to ask such a newb question but is that normal? I figured they didn't just wipe clean like Teflon, but still.

Also is the the discoloration around the outside the result of its gradual coloring, or did I inadvertently char the rim a bit?

Thank you Lawrence & rothnh, great info!

@ Lawrence, the alcohol was mentioned for use inside the gourd, but I was afraid it would dry out the wood.
I've wiped out the bowl with dry paper towl immediately after every smoke, but it still looks like this. I guess I should dampen it next time.

I love this thing, it's quickly becoming my favorite pipe. It requires harder puffing to get it going due to the much, much larger airspace, but once it's going, it is a pleasure to puff! :puffpipe: