Bottom of the Bowl Filters?

[Flatfish]

I have noticed you can buy small chunks of meerschaum, volcanic rock, chalk, crystals, wire gauze etc that sit under the tobacco in the bowl.
All claim to improve airflow and cause a better burn. Some claim filtering/absorption properties.

Do they have any merit , or are they just a gimmick?
I am guessing a proper filter works better.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

If you dry your tobacco enough and don't pack too tight, or block the draught hole, these are largely unnecessary.

The small, irregularly shaped stones automatically create pockets or voids to guarantee airflow if the tobacco isn't packed too tight to restrict flow altogether, so they can assist with the smoking experience; the smoker using them might be better off addressing issues that create the "need" for these.

 

[OzPiper]

Since my tobacco choice is often not pre-determined and more likely a last minute random selection and I am not a believer in delayed gratification, my tobacco often don't get sufficient dry time.

I find that using meerschaum chips, Nording Keystones, Sharrow Philtpads or meerschaum cones result in a drier smoke, significantly reduced dottle.

They are not necessary if I have the time to dry my tobacco sufficiently.

 

[dPero]

I used meerschaum chunks, but didn’t like it

 

[ashdigger]

On old meerschaums they used buttons or such.

Sometimes the button comes out or the hole is just too big so I use these.

 

[CDubMoney]

On old meerschaums they used buttons or such.

Sometimes the button comes out or the hole is just too big so I use these.

View attachment 142291View attachment 142292

They suggest it, "burns to a clean, dry ash."

They appear to be metal. Aluminum cans seems to crumble to ash in a camp fire, but is not something I think I want to inhale. Can you confirm if they're metal? Do they really burn to ash?

 

[ashdigger]

They suggest it, "burns to a clean, dry ash."

They appear to be metal. Aluminum cans seems to crumble to ash in a camp fire, but is not something I think I want to inhale. Can you confirm if they're metal? Do they really burn to ash?

Metal, not aluminum. The tobacco burns to ash. The grate has survived roughly 100 pipefuls so far.

I have them in over 10 pipes. Nothing has happened to me except a bleeding ulcer, a failed kidney, one amputated leg and an eye that keeps falling out. Other than that I’m the picture of health.

They are available on eBay.

 

[Sir Yak]

If someone uses them and likes them—great. You certainly don’t need anything like this to successfully smoke a pipe IMO.

 

[elvishrunes]

Nope, and nope! Never heard of one, hopefully I never do again?. For all the pipes I’ve ever purchased a good pack is all you need.

 

[anotherbob]

I have noticed you can buy small chunks of meerschaum, volcanic rock, chalk, crystals, wire gauze etc that sit under the tobacco in the bowl.
All claim to improve airflow and cause a better burn. Some claim filtering/absorption properties.

Do they have any merit , or are they just a gimmick?
I am guessing a proper filter works better.

yeah they do what they say they do. But notice they're not that common.

 

[Osirus]

I got some of these screens in my starter kit, and I like them. They're easy to insert/remove (as long as the size matches the bowl, different sizes are available and they're pretty easy to bend into shape as well). They make the bowl a bit smaller. I think they're ideal if you want to use a screen in a tobacco pipe.