Advanced pipe cleaning!

[tomsmithusa]

Butcher block oil is mostly mineral oil (prime ingredient in baby oil, many hair products) but it has a much lower flash point. I love it on many woods – like wooden-handled steak knives or wood gun stocks, but have not tried it on a pipe for that reason. Risking burn has made me avoid it, plus the peanut oil seems to compliment the pipe smoke so well I have not much incentive to try something else.
You’ve used it a while on pipes without burn out or the bowl’s rim burning, etcetera?

 

[nsfisher]

He told me to NEVER use a food grade product on any part of your pipe. He stated, that if you do use an olive oil or food grade oil on your pipe that it needs to be oil cured (which is a hell of a process and you need the right equipment).

I disagree. I have some pipes here that for one reason or another, I have stripped ALL the finish of, down to bare wood. Depending on the situation, I will use either Wood and Leather Beeswax or Extra Virgin Olive Oil on them. Either one, rubbed into the bare wood makes a beautiful look to an old classic. I have never had any problems with either one in years of doing this.

 

[cigrmaster]

nsfisher, interesting that you feel the bristle cleaners are too rough for regular cleanings. I never thought of that, it just seems like they do a better job and quicker as well. You think I should just use the fluffy's and keep the bristles for the deep cleanings? I was doing that for years but kind of got it in my head that the bristle's will get more stuff.

 

[mkelaw]

I've thought about starting a thread about Urban Pipe Legends that get repeated daily on one pipe board or another. One of the potential subjects in that as yet unwritten commentary had to do with bristled pipe cleaners damaging a pipe. Facts: 1) Briar is extremely hard. 2) Though the bristles in a pipe cleaner can sting your fingers when the contact is at the wrong angle, you can run your fingers up and down the bristle cleaner and it won't hurt because the bristles lay down with pressure. 3) Based on cleaning/restoring hundreds and hundreds of pipes for my website and my own pipes, you will end up with a cleaner pipe if you use bristle cleaners with or without a shank brush. 4) The bristles on even a soft shank brush (not very effective in my opinion) are stiffer than the bristles in a pipe cleaner. 5) I doubt if anyone has any empirical proof that bristles have caused damage to the airway in a stummel or stem. So other than pipe smokers repeating the lore handed down to them by other pipe smokers, what's the basis for this Pipe Legend?

 

[ssjones]

Sounds like we need a "Pipe Snopes" Dave to prove or refute the tobacciana urban pipe legends!

 

[cigrmaster]

Dave, I will defer to your years of experience and continue using my bristle cleaners, thanks. How about the theory that rubbing alcohol will not leave a flavor in your pipe and that it is safe to use. I have always used Everclear to clean my pipes but it is expensive. I have always thought that if you cannot drink it , then it shouldn't be used.

 

[ssjones]

How about the theory that rubbing alcohol will not leave a flavor in your pipe and that it is safe to use. I have always used Everclear to clean my pipes but it is expensive. I have always thought that if you cannot drink it , then it shouldn't be used.

That one touched off a three or so page debate over on the SmokersForums last year, with no clear winner......

 

[kris]

The strongest booze you can buy this side of the pond is about 40%. You guys think that's strong enough to clean a pipe with?

 

[kelp]

Which side of the pond are you referring, kris?

 

[mkelaw]

.

I have always used Everclear to clean my pipes but it is expensive. I have always thought that if you cannot drink it , then it shouldn't be used.

I use Volkov Vodka which is the same proof as Everclear but cheaper. (Every time I buy it the local liquor store I explain what I'm doing with it so they won't think that I'm a complete drunk). Anyway, I've used rubbing alcohol on my personal pipes a few times. As rubbing alcohol, it's used on the human skin and acts as a disinfectant. It's also an antiseptic which can be applied to bee stings and abrasions. (See Wikipedia). I've never noticed a residual taste. Because of its high volatility it evaporates quickly. If you can use it on the skin or on bee stings and abrasions safely in liquid form, how can it hurt you if it's gone through evaporation?

 

[numbersix]

I've used rubbing alcohol on my personal pipes a few times. As rubbing alcohol, it's used on the human skin and acts as a disinfectant. It's also an antiseptic which can be applied to bee stings and abrasions. (See Wikipedia). I've never noticed a residual taste. Because of its high volatility it evaporates quickly. If you can use it on the skin or on bee stings and abrasions safely in liquid form, how can it hurt you if it's gone through evaporation?

Good point. I've heard several say they've used it with no ill effect. Considering how fast it evaporates, my guess it's okay too, but I completely respect those who hold off.

 

[kris]

kelp, I'm a Brit...

 

[cigrmaster]

Dave, thanks for the great info. I will look for that particular vodka when my bottle of Everclear runs out. I am going to pass on the rubbing alcohol even though it is safe. Something about it just skeeves me out, the smell being the main reason. Knowing me, it will get in my head and I'll start tasting something that isn't there.

 

[tomsmithusa]

rothnh

Yes, I've been using mineral oil (just a little, on a clean paper towel) for years on the EXTERIOR briar portion of my pipes. Since I've been successful so far in my efforts trying not to light up and burn the exterior surface of the pipes, I've had good luck over the last ... ummm... 25 years or more.

Thank you for sharing your successful experience with it.

 

[ssjones]

I use Volkov Vodka which is the same proof as Everclear but cheaper. (Every time I buy it the local liquor store I explain what I'm doing with it so they won't think that I'm a complete drunk).

My liquor store also questioned my Everclear purchases. I told them dead-pan, that I love the flavor. The owner said I might want to seek help...... Then, when I told him it was for pipe cleaning and he gave me an even more puzzled look. FWIW, I wouldn't drink Everclear or Isopropyl alcohol.

 

[tomsmithusa]

I’ve used isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) at 70% and 99%, if I remember correctly, and I’ve also used grain alcohol at 190 proof or 95% alcohol (similar to Everclear).
For pipes, which I clean once they’re cooled and after each use, I noticed no difference in cleaning capability nor taste, so I’ve long used plain rubbing alcohol without ill effects – it evaporates so fast, cleans sufficiently, inexpensive, and convenient to purchase.
***
Funny story: when I purchased the grain alcohol at 190 proof, the liquor store salesman said the local newspaper buys it by the caseload to clean their printing machines; he also related how Africa-bound missionaries frequently buy it – they swear by soaking clothes in it and hanging to dry, putting dried clothes in plastic bags for travel, as wearing those 190-proof-soaked clothes keeps mosquitoes away. I’ve never tried the latter.