About Falcon Moisture Rings

[mso489]

For the information of potential Falcon smokers, and a question for experienced Falcon owners, about the Falcon moisture rings. Moisture rings fit at the base of the bowl in the so-called hydrodome. They are its built-in moisture trap. Since I didn't order any moisture rings, the staff at Iwan Ries enclosed two made out of pipe cleaner short sections. After three or four bowls of enjoyable smoking, I realized I needed to put in the second ring, and make some others from pipe cleaners. The draw gets a little restricted and the flavor isn't as crisp. My next move will be to try smoking my Falcon without the moisture ring, to see how that works for me, maybe just wiping the hydrodome out after each smoke. This is a pleasing little pipe, and I plan to keep it in rotation, with or without the ring. How have other Falcon owners found the pipe smoked without a ring? I'm glad I availed myself of the IR sale and bought this inexpensive pipe for even less, for a smoke as good as most.

 

[Sonorisis]

I've read lots of guys on the WWW who say the rings make no difference or that they prefer the pipe without a ring in place. I am baffled by such remarks as my experience is exactly opposite to those testimonials. For me, the pipe smokes cooler, dryer, and the draw is more correct with a ring in place. I use one ring for each smoke and clean the pipe and replace the ring afterwards. The rings are, as you say, easily made from pipe cleaners. The pre-made rings are even easier.

 

[jpberg]

No stinking rings. The whole point of a Falcon is that you can unscrew the bowl, and wipe or flick the moisture away.

 

[ray47]

Tried them and didn't like them. As @jpberg said, "you can unscrew the bowl, and wipe or flick the moisture away".

 

[tavol]

The only point of a ring is so a company can sell you something you don't need and make a profit. Utterly unnecessary IMO

 

[BROBS]

I prefer to use them as if you move the pipe upwards in any way you will drink the swill out of the humidome. Even if you don’t drink it... it will get into the air pipe and make it goopy and harder to clean. Although it is easily re-cleaned with rubbing alcohol (if you can find it I guess).

when I install the ring I open it up so it’s more “u” shaped if that makes sense and it doesn’t restrict the draw at all.

 

[mikestanley]

I use them but, I've forgotten to put one in several times. They do keep the moisture at bay but, they aren't vital IMHO.

Mike S.

 

[sandollars]

I use pipe cleaner-made rings but I make them like a horseshoe, leaving the area around the tube hole unobstructed. The flavor is unaffected and so is the draw. The only thing it does is soak up the condensation leaving a nice dry smoke.

Try it. It's the best of both worlds.

 

[sandollars]

when I install the ring I open it up so it’s more “u” shaped if that makes sense and it doesn’t restrict the draw at all.

I guess I should've read through the posts before responding.... Great minds....

 

[cshubhra]

I use them to smoke aromatics occasionally. Works wonders with Ashton Rainy Day and Iwan Ries Three Star Blue. For non aromatics I don’t use the ring

 

[upnorth1]

i've never used a ring in my Falcon but you've made me curious. I'll give it a try.

 

[mso489]

Maybe because of my excellent technique, but more probably because of my drying my tobacco, I don't get many gurgles or sizzles in any of my pipes, but I admit that Falcon gives a nice dry smoke. I'll try it without the ring and see how that goes. I do appreciate that the ring can be made from an inexpensive material, pipe cleaners, that pipe smokers buy anyway. I will also try the u-shape for my pipe cleaner ring rather than round, to see if that makes any difference for me. I will say that when you take the ring out, it has certainly filtered out some soot. It's not subtle.

 

[F4RM3R]

I just bend a piece of pipe cleaner into a U shape and drop it in there so the open part of the U is where the stem hole is. No restricted draw and works great. I don't even bother to make it fit snug or anything. Just drop it in there it will soak up the moisture, plus it's easy to get out. It doesn't need to be wrapped around that circle thing at the bottom of the humidome below the bowl.

As for smoking without them, it's pretty much the same experience but you chance making a mess with all that nasty juice, so I prefer the pipe cleaners.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

long time Falcon user here. Have to admit I have never used them but I know someone who has....a fellow tight-fisted Scot and Condor smoker. His verdict was they weren't worth the hassle or expense.
I have never been tempted to use them and doubt I ever will. As others have said getting rid of moisture build up is so easy anyway. A flick or a wipe with some tissue soon gets rid of it....I rarely have moisture problems anyway.
It really depends on what blend of baccy you smoke.

 

[mso489]

I don't smoke much juicy aromatic tobacco, so I doubt I'll have any problem without a ring, but I will find out. Thank you for the good suggestion on the u-shape for the pipe cleaner rings. I'm glad I bought the Falcon. I had my doubts, but it has turned out well.

 

[anotherbob]

don't use it myself. I think it removes too much flavor. Though there are like some people here who like the filter in the falcon for some tobaccos. With those I just take the cotton off of a cotton ball or q-tip and fluff it up and put it in the same place. It seems to work better in all ways then the rings.

 

[indoeuro]

I haven't smoked my Falcons without a ring, so can't really add much to that side of the discussion. I will say that, much like 9mm filters change the taste and characteristics of all those sugary Continental blends, I've noticed a similar effect with the rings on aromatics and straight Virginias. Stuff that normally scorches the hell out of me is definitely tamed.