Pipe Retort Question

[unclefloyd]

I just got my hands on a pipe retort and since I’ve never used one I have a question.
Does your pipe need to be a vulcanite stemmed pipe in order to use the retort cleaning method?

 

[wayneteipen]

Not necessarily but be careful with old acrylic stems. I've had the buttons melt and tiny fissures spiderweb through some older, more brittle acrylic stems. Newer acrylic stems should be okay. Acrylic can become brittle over decades.

 

[unclefloyd]

Not necessarily but be careful with old acrylic stems. I've had the buttons melt and tiny fissures spiderweb through some older, more brittle acrylic stems. Newer acrylic stems should be okay. Acrylic can become brittle over decades.

Thank you for the helpful info.

 

[Waning Embers]

It helps to do your work in a metal basin too in case of explosion.

 

[unclefloyd]

It helps to do your work in a metal basin too in case of explosion.

?

 

[Waning Embers]

?

Always a risk with Bunsen burners, beakers, and retorts. Hand and eye protection should be worn too.?

 

[FurCoat]

That's what I love about this forum. Don't know what this cleaning method is but I'm going to loik into it. I learn something new almost every day here.

 

[ashdigger]

Measure the alcohol accurately according to this helpful guide

 

[anotherbob]

Always a risk with Bunsen burners, beakers, and retorts. Hand and eye protection should be worn too.?

yeah double on that. Don't even bother with out protection. Nothing will probably happen but that's no reason to ruin perfectly good body parts.!

 

[ChuckMijo]

I like retort for the simple fact it takes 15min. I don’t find it better.

 

[unclefloyd]

Yeah I’m not sure I want to use Everclear even though it is probably better to use than rubbing alcohol.

 

[Waning Embers]

Yeah I’m not sure I want to use Everclear even though it is probably better to use than rubbing alcohol.

SPC uses denatured.

 

[craig61a]

yeah double on that. Don't even bother with out protection. Nothing will probably happen but that's no reason to ruin perfectly good body parts.!

Yeah, that whole flammable liquid vapor thing...

 

[wayneteipen]

SPC uses denatured.

Everclear is the best way to go if you can get it. Everything else will leave an undesirable flavor, IMHO.

 

[Waning Embers]

Everclear is the best way to go if you can get it. Everything else will leave an undesirable flavor, IMHO.

I mainly use this.

 

[wayneteipen]

I mainly use this.

View attachment 48813

That'll do!

 

[unclefloyd]

Yeah that’ll work. ?

 

[sablebrush52]

I tend to avoid mixing alcohol with acrylic as it causes micro fissures over time. I'd be concerned with running boiling alcohol through an acrylic stem. I've used the retort method with very badly stunk up pipes. Otherwisem the traditional S/A method works pretty well, without the risk of self immolation.

 

[unclefloyd]

I tend to avoid mixing alcohol with acrylic as it causes micro fissures over time. I'd be concerned with running boiling alcohol through an acrylic stem. I've used the retort method with very badly stunk up pipes. Otherwisem the traditional S/A method works pretty well, without the risk of self immolation.

Thank you for the info. I think I’ll limit the retort to just vulcanite stems.

 

[captainsousie]

Alcohol retort plus acrylic stem equals no. However you can still retort the shank if you make the right adapter. The shank is what really matters anyway.

As for safety, a big metal cookie sheet set in a fairly clear area with a standard kitchen fire extinguisher (you should have one anyway for the kitchen) and you should be good. As for ppe, some safety glasses, gloves and an apron will do fine. As someone who has done grinding, welding, cooking and other way more dangerous activities this isn't as dangerous as some make it sound.