cleaning out pipe

[dunhillmanuk]

Hi guys

What is the best thing to clean pipe bowls out with

I use pipe cleaners but is there a liquid to remove nicotine smell when not in use

Also what is the best thing to put on stem

chris

 

[chuckw]

I shove a pipe cleaner down the stem as far as it will go when I finish a bowl. As for cleaning the bowl, I'm not sure what you mean. MOst of us leave the carbon cake alone until it gets to be about the thickness of a nickle then ream it back. That cake fowm a heat barrier between the smouldering tobacco and the wood interior of the bowl thereby preventing burning the bowl.

 

[dunhillmanuk]

Hi

I got my wording wrong

I put a pipe cleaner through the pipe when ive smoked it

I have purhased a few restored pipes in very good condition with very shiney stems

is there anything i should be dipping the pipe cleaners in to remove nicotine smell when the pipes are not being used and also what can i use to keep the stems and external bowl in such cood condition on out side

thanks

 

[fred]

I use Everclear to clean the inside of the Block and bit.

The outside of a Briar is not a good thing to use any solvents

on. Most guys I know use a wax or polish on the wood. To bring

out the grain's appearance, a mild soap that is used on wood has

been recommended by many, followed by a wax or polish. The outside

of the bit I clean with Everclear and use a bit polish on, with

good results. Others use a buffer, which is something that I don't

own.

 

[smokingtoport]

For what's worth,I take a pipe cleaner---dip the very tip in dark rum{your favorite flavor here} and snake it down the stem,leaving it there till next we meet.I use softy bits on the mouth piece part of the stem{I like to hold the pipe in my teeth especially when tamping and lighting.With estate pipes it hides the chatter and with new ones helps to prevent it.When I'm done I take a pocket tissue,I always keep some in my pipe pouch,and wipe down the tip of the stem{taking the softy bit off to dry], and wipe the inside of the bowl after a gentle sweep with the pipe tool.When the pipe has cooled,I replace the filter{if it has one}and apply either EVO to the stem lightly and wipe it off or pipe polish if I think everything needs a little TLC.I usually save the Everclear for first cleans and maybe on the yearly deep cleans.Everybody comes up with their own way that works best for them.Don't go crazy with the alcohol,pipe wise that is, if you get it on the finish it will remove it,and you probably don't want to do that.See what everyone else says,and pick and choose what works best for you. The nickle rule works great on most pipes,but I like a dime on my small bowl VA flake pipes,and no cake on my Meers.Take care of your pipes and they should last for several lifetimes.Hope this helped even a little.Happy Smokes

 

[pstlpkr]

I use Ezra Brooks as a "Pipe Sweetener".

As for the outside, most pipes have a carnauba wax finish, but you can use Extra Virgin Olive Oil to "refresh" the look. (except on meerschaum)

 

[chuckw]

For the exterior, Savinelli, Arango and several others make a spray on wax that is sprayed on a Handy Wipe and allowed to dry. One can then wipe the pipe and stem down with it to regain the bright shine. An alternative I've found is Lemon Pledge. I do the same thing with it, spray it on a soft cloth and allow it to dry. I wipe the pipe down just before I return it to the rack and my pipes keep that new look.

This is a Peterson's Opera pipe from 1922. It did see the buffer before I started with the Pledge but I've used nothing else since.

 

[smokingtoport]

Very nice Peterson!!!The picture came out really great.

 

[python]

Great info given so far. You can also read my article about routine cleaning that also has a video in it:
Routine Tobacco Pipe Cleaning (With Video)

 

[dunhillmanuk]

Thanks guys and very nice peterson

 

[smokingtoport]

Just watched the video Bob,very nicely done.

 

[juni]

Thank you for the lemon pledge info. I think I'll try that too.
(I usually clean out the bowl with tp - it is softer than household paper. Then I dip a pipe cleaner in strong, clear alcohol and clean the stem - drying it with a dry pipe cleaner. If a pipe is really dirty I do the salt/alcohol treatment, although this doesn't happen very often.)

 

[hauntedmyst]

I highly endorse Briar Pipe wipe for the bowls. For vulcanite stems, you can wipe them down, then rub a little olive or grape seed oil on the stem and then let it sit for 30 minutes or so. Then wipe off the excess and store your pipe. You'll be surprised at how well it fights off oxidation.

 

[bubbadreier]

Hauntedmyst does what I do, just a little extra virgin olive oil every once and awhile on the stems!

 

[juni]

That lemon pledge trick really worked well. Thanks