Ashing Peterson System Pipes?

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hairvise

Can't Leave
May 23, 2018
440
2,713
San Francisco
Within the last couple of months, I have acquired two estate Peterson system pipes and have been smoking them almost exclusively to really learn the optimal way of smoking them.

I smoke in my backyard and so I typically need to ash my pipes at some point so I don’t end up covered in dust. However, I have heard that if you tip your system pipe you may end up spilling some of the moisture in the reservoir back into your tobacco. So I have been removing the stem halfway, folding a pipe cleaner twice, and jamming that in the reservoir. Once the pipe cleaner is securely in place, I ash my pipe. Once done, I put the stem back on and continue smoking.

I am just curious if others do this as well or if they just ash without plugging up the reservoir.
 

hairvise

Can't Leave
May 23, 2018
440
2,713
San Francisco
You mean dumping the ash out? I normally clean the pipe right before dumping out the ash. Peterson System pipes are like army mount and you can take out the stem any time during the smoke.
I am more referring to ashing my pipe midway through the smoke. Doing so with a pipe cleaner folded up and inserted in the reservoir has worked well for me. But I just was curious what others do.
 

workman

Lifer
Jan 5, 2018
2,794
4,230
The Faroe Islands
Someone here suggested in another thread to put the cut off tip of a q-tip in the sump during the smoke. It keeps the moisture from running anywhere. I've been doing that with balls of paper towel, and I might try with a bit of pipe cleaner instead, cause the soaked paper ball is a bit hard to get out again.
I tell you those juices from the sump are nasty when they run up the stem.
 

hairvise

Can't Leave
May 23, 2018
440
2,713
San Francisco
Someone here suggested in another thread to put the cut off tip of a q-tip in the sump during the smoke. It keeps the moisture from running anywhere. I've been doing that with balls of paper towel, and I might try with a bit of pipe cleaner instead, cause the soaked paper ball is a bit hard to get out again.
I tell you those juices from the sump are nasty when they run up the stem.
That’s a super interesting idea. I would never have thought of it. I will give it a try. Thanks so much for the advice!
 

bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,340
41,838
RTP, NC. USA
I am more referring to ashing my pipe midway through the smoke. Doing so with a pipe cleaner folded up and inserted in the reservoir has worked well for me. But I just was curious what others do.
I do all that during the smoke. Take stem out. Run the pipe cleaner through the stem, clean out the water trap, run the cleaner to chamber, and dump the ash. Put the stem back in and keep on smoking. Usually don't need to relight.
 

seanv

Lifer
Mar 22, 2018
3,114
11,145
Canada
I've never noticed the system catching any significant amount of moisture especially enough to run while dumping ash.
 
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mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,640
I have maybe eight Petersons, but no systems pipes, and I don't have any moisture problems, rarely dump any ash mid smoke. Not with other brands either. Maybe dry your tobacco more before packing.
 
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hairvise

Can't Leave
May 23, 2018
440
2,713
San Francisco
I've never noticed the system catching any significant amount of moisture especially enough to run while dumping ash.
You might be right on that. When I do stick a folded up pipe cleaner in the reservoir, it does come out moist but not sopping wet. Perhaps I should just go ahead and dump the ash and not worry about excess moisture after all.
 

workman

Lifer
Jan 5, 2018
2,794
4,230
The Faroe Islands
I've never noticed the system catching any significant amount of moisture especially enough to run while dumping ash.
Experiences differ. While I rarely have any issues with moisture when I smoke, my system pipe does catch some, and I have had it run up the stem when I put the pipe down or dumped ash.
 
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paulfg

Lifer
Feb 21, 2016
1,632
3,115
Corfu Greece
I've never noticed the system catching any significant amount of moisture especially enough to run while dumping ash.
quite agree,i have never had enough moisture even after 2 consecutive bowls to get enough to worry about/however the qtip or cotton wool in the reservoir will fix the problem
 
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shikano53

Lifer
May 26, 2015
2,084
8,145
The sump is there so that you can enjoy your Entire smoke and not worry about gurgling moisture. I have a Pete standard system and when I’m done I clean the sump with a q tip or two until the q tips have absorbed the water in the sump. Pipe cleaner through the stem and drummer into the bowl and she’s good to go. If your worried about ash just use your ten penny nail or pipe tool to give it a gentle stir, tap it gently until the ash settles and relight as necessary and continue on!
 
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