Chipping cake!

[jallen49]

Hey guys... Has anyone had the experience of their pipe cake chipping?
Better yet, does anyone know what this mean... Is it a sing that I am doing something wrong? Is it even something to be worried about?
Thanks in advance

 

[marmal4de]

I'd give the pipe a good ream and start over, then after each smoke during the re-break in period, twist a paper towel into the chamber. YMMV.

 

[tedswearingen]

Was there pre-carb in the bowl or was it natural? I've noticed that some pre-carb formulas have a harder time taking a carbon buildup and what cake does build will chip and flake off occasionally.

 

[tedswearingen]

And to answer your question, it's nothing to worry about. A carbon lining isn't totally necessary. If you're smoking a crummy pipe made in the 1950s that's got two dozen putty fills then you might want some reinforcement. But otherwise, a cake buildup is not a requisite for a good smoking pipe.

 

[pstlpkr]

Ted and Marmal4de bout have it covered.
I might add that the twisting Paper-towel thing really works very well. Since I have been performing that minor maintenance to the cake over the years I have had no more flaking cakes.

 

[ace57]

Yep, That's what I do.

 

[schmitzbitz]

I'll jump in here and say that while a paper-towel works, twisting up a piece of copy-paper works even better. I used to use the paper-towel method, but noticed that no matter whether I was using budget or Cadillac paper-towels, little bits of fluff would be deposited around my bowl. With the copy-paper, not so much, and it sluffs off the gummy crap a little bit better IMHO.

 

[olderthandirt]

Or you can maintain the inside of the bowl by dry reaming with a pipe cleaner bent in two.

Does the same thing as the paper towel, simply my preference.

I do this after each smoke and the cake in most of my pipes stays uniform and thin.
Are you doing anything wrong? Prolly not, it happens.

 

[unclearthur]

I haven't had to chip a cake since I quit eating the ex's cooking.

 

[pstlpkr]

:rofl:

 

[markw4mms]

I haven't had to chip a cake since I quit eating the ex's cooking.

And I assume that's one good reason she's an ex?? :wink:

 

[unclearthur]

One among many!

 

[jallen49]

thanks for the help guys... and YES it's a pre-carbon Savinelli

 

[papipeguy]

A good tool to have is a Senior reamer. I use it to ream my pipes about once a year. It also has a detacible bit for clearing the air hole in the bowl. Could not live without mine.

 

[shaintiques]

Yes the senior reamer is a great tool to have, got mine on amazon for cheap compared to anywhere else I saw them.

 

[jallen49]

I have since committed the "sin" of reaming with a sharp pocket knife, and to be honest, it worked really well! Don't think I caused any damage to the pipe, only the thick cake.

However, I am seeing the need for a good reamer, so I think there is one in my near future!