Clean Your Briar Pipes the "New Way".

[Chasing Embers]

And meerschaum being very absorbant, wouldn't calcification be an issue there?

 

[sablebrush52]

It's a short exposure and the water is being wiped away immediately, so how much calcification could collect?

 

[cigrmaster]

The water here in Florida is disgusting. I am worried that I will get a nasty chlorine taste left over in my pipes using the water here. I guess I will take one of my pipes I hardly use and see what happens. I am all for an easier softer way.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Good Lord, my parents used to live in FLA, and now I remember the crap water there. Almost forgot; 35 years ago last there, as my Mom moved to NM; Dad was dead.
Fortunately, chlorine does evaporate pretty well, and hopefully not a trace when you light up.

 

[aldecaker]

I wonder why the water there is so heavily chlorinated? Isn't it just regular groundwater?

 

[sablebrush52]

Clean 'em or don't clean 'em any way you want. All I know is that my pipes smell better and my smokes taste better and that's all I need to know.

 

[jpmcwjr]

IIRC, on the West Coast (S of Sarasota ca. 30 miles) the water had some real sulphur content, and perhaps the chlorine was added as a safeguard against germs.

 

[warren]

Anchorage is rated as having great water. I, unfortunately, am on a well which produces a liquid iron infused substance requiring heavy filtration. But, the water cleaning technique seems to work. My only observation is I can't do it in my chair with a drink handy. I have to stand at the sink. I am getting lazy or old, combination of both I suspect.

 

[cigrmaster]

The ground water here in Sarasota stinks like rotten eggs from all the sulfur. They have to treat it with a ton of chlorine to make it potable.
I have my hot water heater turned up to the max so I get wicked hot water. I am looking forward to seeing if it will melt all the crap in my shanks. Using Everclear takes time and tons of pipe cleaners. I will report back my findings.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I await your report with bated breath!
PS, you can use a nose clip to help with the odor....
Also, you might finish with a dash of cool drinking water. (some with Scotch for the operator, rest for chamber rinse.)

 

[londonmake]

Hey guys

I've used water for years now. I use it to clean estate pipe bowl chambers. Not the shank.

First, I'll ream the bowl. If the cake comes out easily, I'll go right to the "bath".

Stem is removed. Go to the sink, run hot water.

Use one hand to hold bowl upside down, then, with my other hand, take smallest finger and get it wet, put it into the bowl and rotate once or twice, repeat as needed until the my finger doesn't come out all brown any longer. Swap out with paper towel. Then, I'll turn to alcohol and swab the bowl interior with pipe cleaners.
I've never dipped a whole pipe into water and let it stay under---that looks really bad for the wood and it's color stain.
With my way, the bowl exterior is not really touched by the water at all. I've cleaned many many estate pipes this way and it gets them clean and sweet smoking every time. I use alcohol for cleaning the stem airways, not water, ever.

 

[uncleblackie]

I just tried this out with three different pipes. Removed the stems and ran hot water out of the sink through the bowls and stems for about a minute each. Followed this with some pipe cleaners, scrubbing the bowls, shanks, mortises, and stems. They definitely smelled cleaner as a result. Already smoking one after about ten minutes of dry time. Not sure if it tastes any better but it’s certainly no worse for the wear.
Only things I noticed: the finishes dulled slightly, but a quick buff with a cloth took care of that. Other thing is the fills on one pipe washed out somewhat, and are now more obvious and pit-like. Doesn’t bother me though. I think I might prefer the look.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've never dipped a whole pipe into water and let it stay under---that looks really bad for the wood and its color stain.

No one is suggesting that. For the good of science, Mr. Monkfish illustrated there's no harm in doing so; if soaking doesn't hurt, rinsing for a minute or two certainly won't.
I don't understand your reluctance to clean out the stem with hot water, nor the fingering of the pipe. Just run very hot water down the chamber and out the bit till it runs clear. Then you don't need to follow with the alcohol nonsense.

 

[snagstangl]

Does water instant oxidize stems like alcohol? I think only my spit does that.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'm not the best to ask, as I pay minimal attention to the stems, though I have plans to change that one day. Seems to bring up some, but then it seems to be easy to wipe away.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Interesting thoughts from both sides water v alcohol. I'm going to stick with my normal routine for cleaning and continue to use alcohol. It hasn't failed me yet.

 

[cortezattic]

I read that alcohol is a great solvent for tars and oils; but, water is an excellent solvent too, overall, owing to its bi-polar nature. Has anyone tried cleaning a dirty pipe first with water, then re-cleaning it with alcohol to see if the alcohol picks-up any grunge the water didn't remove?
Personally, I have no reason to doubt the efficacy of the water rinse, but I just can't bring myself to subject my pipes to a stream of water (even though I know that burning tobacco produces steam that always condenses inside the pipe).

 

[crashthegrey]

I don't clean with water, but to address some of the issues with chlorine; instead of running from the faucet, just pour a glass and let it sit out for a bit and the chlorine will be a non issue. Then you can pour the water through the pipe instead. Or get a brita or similar filter and do the same. I suppose that would remedy your issues. Although the chlorine will evaporate from the pipe anyway.

 

[popeofpiping]

I simply abide by the drinking alcohol rule. Pour you a glass of some high proof, dip a couple of cleaners in, and the rest if for my enjoyment.

 

[huntertrw]

Tap water? Bah!
To really do the job you need a pressure-washer!