Cleaning pipe after smoke

[mspadoni]

So right now I have about 3 pipes and maybe 15 different tobaccos. Should I be cleaning each one out before I put in a different blend in? Say for example I smoke something like Molto Dolce and I finish a bowl - would it be ok to dump that out and put something like Warhorse Green in? Does it affect the taste too much?

 

[Chasing Embers]

So right now I have about 3 pipes and maybe 15 different tobaccos. Should I be cleaning each one out before I put in a different blend in? Say for example I smoke something like Molto Dolce and I finish a bowl - would it be ok to dump that out and put something like Warhorse Green in? Does it affect the taste too much?

I take mine apart and clean them after each smoke and never cross genres. Some do though so do as you may, no rules.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

After each smoke, I run one final pipe cleaner through and that’s it. My pipes are clean, not immaculate. I smoke very few “aromatics” & no longer enjoy Latakia…so switching back and forth between Virginia, VaPer, & Burley is not a problem. ️

 

[warren]

You paid good, hard earned moneys for those pipes. There is no oversight on pipe smokers to enforce rules so, do as you wish. As stated above, no rules. Now asking some why they do such and such could be valuable. Some here have excellent reasons for doing what they do. Other, like me, simple keep the entire process/experience as simple as possible.

Your pipes! Your rules!

 

[OldRocko]

You’ll find many - great - opinions in the forums regarding frequecy of use, cleaning, and ghosting. Personally, I clean my pipes after each use, rotate their use to give them a “rest”, and try to limit tobacco types to specific pipes. Having 3 pipes may limit your options, but at the end of the day, smoke on and enjoy.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I run a pipe cleaner through, reverse it and run through again. Fold it in half, clean out the bowl. Then water flush, use napkin to wipe off rim and clean inside of bowl. I dedicate pipes to blend genres but not to specific blends.

 

[mspadoni]

Thank you all for the great responses!

 

[ray47]

Whatever works for you is the answer. As for me, I run a pipe cleaner thru the stem and swab out the bowl after each smoke. I'll smoke various blends out of the same pipe. Back when I started, 54 yrs ago, I had one pipe and smoked everything out of that pipe using the same cleaning method I use today.

 

[Magnum207]

If you’re trying to avoid flavors from your first bowl to your second bowl of a different type or blend in the same pipe, I would completely empty the remaining contents (obviously), twist a clean/dry paper towel vigorously around the inside the bowl, and then run an absorbent-type pipe cleaner through the shank. Although extremely effective, I would skip the bowl-flush with water if you intend to smoke it immediately following your first bowl. Flush with water and wipe clean after its use for the “day,” and then allow it to rest and completely dry while utilizing one of your other two pipes in the next visit.

 

[kcghost]

Shortage of pipes is not my problem. I have designated pipes for VaPers and pipes that handle English blends. If you don't do this eventually you'll put something in your pipe and proceed to gag. If you wish to smoke aromatics definitely set aside some pipes for those.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I smoke a pipe once, let it cool, and clean it the next day. I have dedicated pipes for aromatics and usually go by a loose colour code to easily remember which ones I use for English and Virginia blends (darker and lighter finishes respectively).

 

[Grangerous]

Say for example I smoke something like Molto Dolce and I finish a bowl - would it be ok to dump that out?
[/QUOTE]

Oh. Hell Yes. Fast as you can!

I’m kidding — Welcome to the forum.

 

[warren]

I usually smoke the same pipe two, three times, one bowl after the other. I might run a cleaner through it if the draw feels a bit constricted. Otherwise, dump the ash/dottle, reload, light and return to work.

 

[OzPiper]

I run a pipe cleaner through, reverse it and run through again. Fold it in half, clean out the bowl. Then water flush, use napkin to wipe off rim and clean inside of bowl. I dedicate pipes to blend genres but not to specific blends.

^^^^This
Except I don’t water-flush unless the bowl “smells”. I find that using a damp scrunched kitchen paper towel inside the bowl is sufficient most times.

I have pipes for Latakia/Oriental blends, Virginia/VaPer blends and aromatics. And I have enough pipes to leave them to air several weeks before the next smoke, so “ghosting” is rarely an issue.

 

[bullet08]

Well, I don't enjoy drinking water out of a glass that I drank milk out of. Unless I wash it first.

 

[Searock Fan]

I never clean a pipe after smoking it. The reason is that there is usually a small amount of moisture in the bottom of the bowl and (contrary to what some genius on this site said) the briar can absorb this which makes the wood soft. Repeated cleaning with a pipe cleaner can slowly dig away at this soft wood and damage the pipe. It's best to let the pipe rest and, if needed, clean it before the next smoke.

How often it needs cleaning depends on several things; the tobacco smoked, the pipe itself, and your personal taste. Or you can do like an old uncle I had and when it gets too dirty just throw it away and buy a new one....

 

[captpat]

I run a pipe cleaner through, reverse it and run through again. Fold it in half, clean out the bowl. Then water flush, use napkin to wipe off rim and clean inside of bowl. I dedicate pipes to blend genres but not to specific blends.

I follow this regime, though I only do the water flush treatment when it needs a deep clean. I don't dedicate pipes to a specific blend or genre though it sort of happens in practice as the bowl size/shape I prefer for VA, VA/PER is different from what I like for latakia blends.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I like sticking a pipe cleaner in the bottom of the bowl and using a paper towel. I am attempting to prevent small bits from getting into the stem area.

I like what @ray47 said and tend to do the same. Of course I am the one that keeps his pipes in a cardboard box in a trailer down by the river.

 

[Old school 33192]

I use a paper towel and reload if I want more

 

[dctune]

Just my personal opinion, but I pay closest attention to a clean shank. I feel like that’s where a lot of unpleasant taste come with a dirty pipe.

Somebody shared that tip with me once when I was having some trouble with an “ashy” quality coming through one of my pipes. Might’ve even learned it from someone here on the forums. Can’t remember. But I’ve found it to be helpful.