I Smoked my Meer in a Bad Way!

[Speak Easy]

Are meerschaum pipe susceptible to cracking with sudden temperature changes? It’s nice and toasty in the truck and then we got out into 30ish degree weather. I’ve not dropped it or thrown it around at all. First I noticed the crack then gave it a little squeeze to see if my eyes were playing tricks on me and…boom.

 

[mikethompson]

Oof! Bad luck man. I didn't know Meers were sensitive to temperature changes like that.

 

[Speak Easy]

Oof! Bad luck man. I didn't know Meers were sensitive to temperature changes like that.

Idk that’s what it was but that’s all I can think of.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Oof! Bad luck man. I didn't know Meers were sensitive to temperature changes like that.

I don't think they are, based on reading many threads that indicate the opposite. Possible, of course.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Idk that’s what it was but that’s all I can think of.

It probably had a flaw in it. How tiny was it? The pipe, not the flaw....

 

[verporchting]

Oh man, that sux brother. Probably a hidden flaw.

Looking on the bright side you get to buy a new meerschaum pipe!!!

 

[Speak Easy]

It probably had a flaw in it. How tiny was it? The pipe, not the flaw....

Yea, not a large or hefty meer at all. Very light weight and nice to smoke whilst doing chores and work.I’ve put about 20 bowls through it.

It will be missed.

 

[Speak Easy]

Oh man, that sux brother. Probably a hidden flaw.

Looking on the bright side you get to buy a new meerschaum pipe!!!

No doubt! I’ve already got one coming.

 

[verporchting]

No doubt! I’ve already got one coming.

Good man! That’s the spirit!!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I seriously don't it was an expansion / contraction thing. If anything, I would think it would happen by going from extremely cold to very hot.

 

[Speak Easy]

I seriously don't it was an expansion / contraction thing. If anything, I would think it would happen by going from extremely cold to very hot.

Yea, I’m gonna say it was a flaw in materials. Just don’t want the same to happen to the new. So it’s good to hear that the chances of it being temp related are slim.

 

[PA Piper Mike]

 

[Chasing Embers]

I’m gonna say it was a flaw in materials

That's a big risk when buying new ones. Small flaws can be a lot more of a concern than with briar.

 

[craig61a]

Assuming a difference of about 40 degrees, I don’t see that causing a crack like that.

 

[LeafErikson]

That must have been a flaw in the meerschaum.

 

[irishearl]

Have had 2 meers develop cracks in the bowl over the course of smoking them-always inside.

 

[Speak Easy]

Thank you all for the info. I’ve got this one headed my way for a replacement.

 

[lraisch]

I recall being advised not to even take a lit meerschaum from a warm room into a cold room. Apparently, there is some truth to them being fragile when thermally stressed. I've always regarded them as a pipe for the easy chair.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I recall being advised not to even take a lit meerschaum from a warm room into a cold room. Apparently, there is some truth to them being fragile when thermally stressed. I've always regarded them as a pipe for the easy chair.

Yes, but that's no where near stressing the pipe. Who told you that?

 

[tfdickson]

I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and one of my first pipes was an estate meer. This was roughly 1994. The proprietor of the tobacco shop where I bought it was in his 80s and been smoking a pipe daily for at least 60 years at that point. When he sold me the meer he mentioned to never light up indoors and then take it outside in the winter, it will crack. His name was Pete Switzer and he ran Pete’s Tobacco Shop in Anchorage until he passed away, 2003 I believe.