Cleaning Calabash acquisition

[ricospipe]

I just acquired my first Calabash pipe from a local antique store.

I’ve read that you’re supposed to take off the Meer bowl to clean the gourd.

I’m kinda afraid to take it off cause I don’t want to break the pipe.

I was wondering if I could use a retort to clean it?
Rico

 

[shutterbugg]

Just a word of caution from my experience. I got a Calabash off ebay a while ago and used the salt trick to clean the bowl and it cracked

 

[ricospipe]

Hi shutterbugg:
Ya, I read somewhere that you can't use the salt/alcohol bowl sweetening method on Meer.

If I I'll post the reference link.

Was it a fatal or was it repairable?
Rico

 

[ricospipe]

I have cleaned/sterilized the stem & it came out great.

Haven't done anything to the rest of the pipe.

Waiting while I do some research.

It is a gourd pipe, so I want to be very careful with what I do.
Anyone have any suggestions or tips?
Rico

 

[ricospipe]

OK, now I'm confused.

I've been reading and some say take off the Meer bowl and clean inside the gourd.

Others say you don't have to
I did get it from an antique shop, so I don't know it's condition.

Do I clean inside the gourd or do I leave it?

 

[ricospipe]

Now the the Big Question:

How do I remove the bowl?
Rico