You may get your leg pulled or tail yanked from time to time.User groups are an amazing source of info for any hobby.
But there are a lot of generous, helpful and knowledgeable members here
You may get your leg pulled or tail yanked from time to time.User groups are an amazing source of info for any hobby.
and disinfo too.User groups are an amazing source of info for any hobby.
Here’s the trick I do, with acrylic/vulcanite/cumberland stems...Alcohol may affect plastic/acrylic stems
You need to take care with old(er) vulcanite stemsHere’s the trick I do, with acrylic/vulcanite/cumberland stems...
I place the stem under the kitchen sink faucet with the water running slightly onto the stems, as I push a cleaner through dipped in Everclear.
The water running on the stem will keep any dripping alcohol away, of course, only dip a small part of the cleaners in the alcohol and then give them a shake to get off any excess.
Works all the time, I’ve never wrecked a stem, just go slow, it’s easy to do.
I use cold water...You need to take care with old(er) vulcanite stems
Warm/hot water will cause the stems to oxidise or bring oxidation to the surface.
Don't take this as criticism, this is a serious question-I rinse my pipes every evening, have been for years now. And, I have some very nice pipes. It has been the best thing ever. There is absolutely nothing bad that can happen, unless you use boiling hot water on an old vulcanite stem... just don't do that.
But, my pipes all smell fresh, and taste great.
But, if someone doesn't want to use water, that's fine with me. But many forum members here do it, and have been doing it for years. So, there is nothing wrong with it.
None of my newly purchased ones have ever had alcohol used on them. If cleaned after each smoke, there's no need and many of them I've had since the early '90s through 2000.Man I feel like I have abused my pipes. Ive had most of them for 6 years, I deep clean them with alcohol once a year and thats it, well, other than cleaning with pipe cleaners after every use.
I'm surprised at the lack of responses that address the speed at which you are smoking. Regardless of what you're smoking, if your cadence is too fast all you're going to taste is hot air and ash. I generally like to follow the three breath rule: one sloooooooow draw in, wait three breaths and then draw again. Also the breath method is nice.I have one pipe (a Dr. Grabow) that has developed an ashy taste.
I’ve used the hot water rinse and cleaned the mortise with Qtips . Unlike the other pipes I’ve rinsed, this one still has a dark coating on the bowl after I wipe it out. Do I try wiping it out with alcohol next, or something else? The stem is black plastic. I can taste it if I draw on the pipe before filling and through as much as I can stand of the bowl.
It was a cheap pipe, but it fits well in my hand (it’s tiny), so I’d like to save it if possible.
Thanks for any suggestions.