Big Ben Ranger has a reservoir?

[Chris T]

I have a Big Ben Pipo and a Ranger, and they're probably my most-used pipes. Had them for 4 or 5 years now. I do use the stingers and have been cleaning them regularly.

What I discovered today is that, in between the draft hole and the mortise, there's about a 3/8" section that's more narrow than the mortise. I had never noticed it because I generally run a pipe cleaner through the draft hole and then fold it in half and clean the mortise. I missed that in-between area since the cleaner folded in half is too thick to go in it, and tissue paper won't reach it either.

As to be expected, it was pretty disgusting. I used wood shafted cotton swabs I use for firearm cleaning to address it. The pipes hadn't been as enjoyable lately and I am pretty confident this will improve things.

I am appropriately ashamed of myself for not understanding the innards of my pipes. Now I've got to check my others that have stingers...

 

[OzPiper]

I have a Big Ben Pipo and a Ranger, and they're probably my most-used pipes. Had them for 4 or 5 years now. I do use the stingers and have been cleaning them regularly.

What I discovered today is that, in between the draft hole and the mortise, there's about a 3/8" section that's more narrow than the mortise. I had never noticed it because I generally run a pipe cleaner through the draft hole and then fold it in half and clean the mortise. I missed that in-between area since the cleaner folded in half is too thick to go in it, and tissue paper won't reach it either.

As to be expected, it was pretty disgusting. I used wood shafted cotton swabs I use for firearm cleaning to address it. The pipes hadn't been as enjoyable lately and I am pretty confident this will improve things.

I am appropriately ashamed of myself for not understanding the innards of my pipes. Now I've got to check my others that have stingers...

A powerful torch and shank brushes are your friends, in these situations.
I also resort to using jeweller's screwdrivers and small drill bits to ream out that gunk.
It's amazing how much can fit into such a small space.
Upside is how much flavour improves after your deep clean

 

[TheIronMonkey]

A powerful torch and shank brushes are your friends, in these situations.
I also resort to using jeweller's screwdrivers and small drill bits to ream out that gunk.
It's amazing how much can fit into such a small space.
Upside is how much flavour improves after your deep clean

I’m very bummed—you didn’t use “inspissated” in your reply!

 

[Sobrbiker]

A powerful torch and shank brushes are your friends, in these situations.
I also resort to using jeweller's screwdrivers and small drill bits to ream out that gunk.
It's amazing how much can fit into such a small space.
Upside is how much flavour improves after your deep clean

@Chris T:
And just to be clear, by ”powerful torch” he means a bright flashlight.

Stinger pipes pretty much have a larger area for stinger than just a draft hole ahead of the mortise.
These and and smoking filtered pipes without filters gives the airways a mini reverse calabash effect I think.

 

[seanv]

Try a hot water flush before cleaning the reservoir. It will loosen up the gunk for you

 

[Chris T]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I had figured as well that the way it was supposed to work was like a calabash with a condenser added for good measure. Makes me really appreciate the engineering of these little pipes and explains how you can get a 50-70 minute smoke out of them.

Smoking the Pipo now. Very significant improvement.

I had heard electric torch but not power torch. Was worried what Oz was suggesting..

 

[ThermionicScott]

Interesting... I ran a bristle brush through my Big Ben Ranger and shined an electric torch down the mortise and didn't find any reservoirs. It just necks down to the diameter of the draft hole. Maybe they're making them differently now?

 

[Chris T]

Maybe they're making them differently now?

I wondered about that. Mine was probably from the late 90s or early 00s judging from the other pipes available where I got them.