Cleaning Meer Estate.

[crusader]

Hey guys!
Finally got my first meer estate. Interested if there is a preferred way to clean it that is different from a briar, especially the chamber.
It has the original carbon/cake build up from the last owner.
I don't want to wreck it going at it wit my usual senor reamer like a briar.

I will be making another stem as this one has a tooth hole. Someone loved it I guess

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Scrape out the bulk of the cake with a knife and sand the rest out.

 

[renfield]

Rustie nailed it.

Meers are pretty tough, just pay attention to what you’re doing.

I prefer to use a letter opener to scrape out my meers if they need a scraping. I don’t use my senior reamer because I have a better feel with the opener.

 

[OzPiper]

I use the "spoon" of a Czech tool. It's blunt and won't gouge if you don't use force.
Follow-up with sand paper
I don't trust myself with sharp-bladed or pointed tools

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just ream them with 320 grit sandpaper.

 

[LeafErikson]

I just ream them with 320 grit sandpaper.

I usually a tamper and just kind’ve scrape the cake out but one of my pipes had very stubborn cake so I tried this method. It worked great for me. I would just make sure you don’t end up nicking the top or inner edge of the bowl too deep as you sand and you’ll be good.

 

[orlandofurioso]

320 grit sandpaper wrapped around a proper dowel followed by wiping out with a damp paper kitchen towel.
No knives please, unless it is my Savinelli fits all.

 

[didimauw]

320 grit sandpaper wrapped around a proper dowel followed by wiping out with a damp paper kitchen towel.
No knives please, unless it is my Savinelli fits all.

My Sheffield pipe knife has been known to do serious damage to Meerschaum chambers