All I taste is ash...

[cwalker816]

I'll give it a try tonight.
Again, I really appreciate everyone's help.

 

[derekflint]

All the above is neatly removed with a hot water flush[/quote"

Is it necessary for the pipe to be hot to preform the HWF ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Derek, I do a hot water flush on pipes sometimes the next day, so answer your question, my vote is no.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Same. I now more or less batch a half dozen or so to do at one time, and most are cold as the night.

 

[derekflint]

I know your not going to remove the stem on a hot pipe. But do you remove it when doing the HWF on a cold pipe?

 

[jpmcwjr]

If I do remove the stem, I'll do it at any time in the process. (I clean the mortise only every 6-12 smokes.) If for whatever reason the stem doesn't want to twist out easily, I leave it for another time.

 

[mso489]

If you use a reamer, go slow and careful if you do not have some experience. A reamer can do a job on briar used too energetically. You can avoid cake by wiping out the bowl after each smoke with a paper napkin or paper towel, after scooping out the ash. This will maintain a very thin carbon layer, which is all you need, and also keep the chamber full size. A number of members do this and it works fine.