Filters, any good?

[Travis K]

Hi all,

About filters, like if i stick one in there, does it stop the nic from working? or is it just so ya dont get a tongue fulla hot smoke?

A few of my tobacco smells killer, does the filter just wreck all that good flavor? make it taste like nothin? or maybe it helps ya taste it better by taking the bite out.

just wondering if they're worth the hassle or whatever.

Thanks

 

[anotherbob]

In my opinion the answer is no. To all that. All a filter does is trap smoke in my opinion. But some people like them and if you find it too much to not burn your tongue then they do help with that.

 

[WVOldFart]

I don't use them. They make the draw more difficult, and they really don't do anything but sop up moisture.

 

[xrundog]

I don’t like the hassle of dealing with filters. But they smoke okay. They don’t really affect taste. They trap moisture, and the people who like them say they deliver a smoother smoke. My personal experience isn’t consistent.
It’s something you have to try.

 

[Brad H]

You will really get an array of opinions here.
I personally don’t use them.
Some people use them.

The key to your answer is you are just going to have to try them blends with and without a filter and see what you prefer.

 

[Douglas]

Without analyzing why I will say that I always enjoy a filtered smoke better than non filtered. I only use balsa filters.

 

[Briarcutter]

I never use them. If filters interest you, I would recommend putting one in and trying it, see how you like it. It's like the rubber booties for stems, if they interest you, try them.

 

[fireground_piper]

I use 6mm balsa, occasionally 6mm charcoal. Balsa has less draw impact than the charcoal. The charcoal does mute flavors a little bit for the first 5 minutes? Then it seems to be fine.

95% of my smoking is with a filter and I change them every time.

You really have to give them a shot if it interests you.

 

[FLDRD]

No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
No.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Filters help me enjoy my smokes with certain blends. I can be susceptible to tongue bite with certain blends, and filter greatly reduce that when I use them. I also don’t notice any change in flavor between using a filter and not using one.

If you do use a filter, don’t let it sit in your pipe too long without taking it out and cleaning. My general rule of thumb is to not leave it in for more than 24 hours.

I also do not re-use filters. One and done for me.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

I own both filter and non-filter pipes, but personally I actually like them (my Grabow is one of my favorite pipes lately). All it really does as far as I can tell is make the smoke a little dryer for blends that are kinda moist.

 

[STP]

I’ve used the balsa wood filters that are furnished w/new Savinelli pipes (only one now, but they use to provide a pack of 10 + 1). Nonetheless, I personally experienced no benefit to using them, and found them to be a hassle. YMMV

 

[woodsroad]

Balsa "filters" aren't filters. per se, they are absorbers. And they do a good job of absorbing moisture, both liquid and steam. I tested them in a post several years ago, I'll try and find that for you. I am not familiar with other inserts marketed as filters, but unless the smoke has to physically pass through a substance, and leaves something behind, it's not a filter.

EDIT: More info, more recent:

Savinelli Balsa Filters Further Information :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/savinelli-balsa-filters-further-information.109843/#post-37220349

Savinelli Balsa Filters Further Information :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/savinelli-balsa-filters-further-information.109843/#post-37220349

 

[huntertrw]

Without question, this is the absolute BEST filtration system for pipe-smokers. It removes EVERYTHING:
Tars
Nicotine
Propylene Glycol and other humectants
Microscopic tobacco
Twigs and stems
Offensive odors
Casing
Top-dressing
Annoying moisture
Flavor
And much, much, more!



Note that the developer is currently working on a smaller, portable, version.

 

[Sigmund]

Imho many blends simply taste better with a filter.
If you like the taste of tar dont use one.
Its worth trying and its really no hassle

 

[woodsroad]

Imho many blends simply taste better with a filter.
If you like the taste of tar dont use one.
Its worth trying and its really no hassle

I recall not finding much of a flavor difference with a balsa insert, but they did absorb moisture, which was welcomed when smoking outdoors in the cold. No gurgle.

 

[PaulRVA]

I have a couple filtered Savinelli’s and I can attest to the reduction of tongue bite with certain blends.
They mute some others as well. I really don’t have anything negative to say on them and honestly I think I’ll always have a few in the tool box.

 

[fireground_piper]

Balsa "filters" aren't filters. per se, they are absorbers. And they do a good job of absorbing moisture, both liquid and steam. I tested them in a post several years ago, I'll try and find that for you. I am not familiar with other inserts marketed as filters, but unless the smoke has to physically pass through a substance, and leaves something behind, it's not a filter.

The process would be adsorption, not absorption, and adsorption is considered a type of filtration.

 

[woodsroad]

The process would be adsorption, not absorption, and adsorption is considered a type of filtration.

Balso soaking up moisture isn’t absorbtion?

 

[fireground_piper]

Balso soaking up moisture isn’t absorbtion?

I don't know about Balso, but a balsa filter can be considered a filter if it is filtering via adsorption. You claimed it wasn't a filter, per se but it is as there are particles from the smoke that stick to the surface area of the balsa.

The water component you mention, would be absorption. The particulate filtering component would be adsorption and thus is fair to call it a filter.