Deep Pipe Cleaning and Resting

[stumpyds8]

I like the idea of spending all of my extra money on pipes. Someone needs to explain PAD though...Ive seen it on here several times. I am currently biddong on a Peterson pipe on Ebay. Goal is to have three quality pipes and a cheap cob.

 

[xray]

PAD (pipe acquisition disorder)- The inability to control the urge to obtain more pipes.

 

[baronsamedi]

See also TAD (Tobacco Acquisition Disorder).

 

[cajunguy]

The only definition I've ever known for the term "sweetening" is one of purification and sterilization. In other words, bringing the pipe back to a neutral state in which the full, natural flavor of the tobacco may be enjoyed. Some pipe restoration specialists use ozone chambers to "sweeten" a pipe; certainly an ozone chamber doesn't make the pipe smoke like a stick of liquorice.
It's more of colloquialism in the tobacciana vernacular by this point, but I see no point in reinventing the wheel.
I would never literally "sweeten" a pipe. I never use rum, whiskey, or any other flavored spirit during the cleaning process. When I clean pipes, the purpose is to sterilize the chamber, destroy bacteria, and rid it of lingering tastes -- not introduce new ones. I (and the people I've restored for) want to taste the tobacco, nothing more. That's why I use full blown Everclear (the 190 proof variety). Is it overkill? Possibly. But it may very well be the strongest product on the market, and I'd rather tend towards excess than risk a mediocre restoration.
In addition, briar does not like excess moisture, especially for prolonged periods of time. The higher the alcohol content, the faster the chemical reaction, the faster the evaporation rate... meaning less risk to the pipe.
In over one hundred restorations, I've never once had a person complain of a ghost flavor or otherwise nasty taste, regardless the age of their pipe or estate purchase.
Anyway, that's the reasoning behind my approach.
Edit: I just realized that I left out "sweetens" under the 91% Rubbing alcohol method. As per the aforementioned definition, it does just that. That was an error of silly omission on my part and may have led to some confusion as to what I considered "sweetening."

 

[ssjones]

In addition, briar does not like excess moisture, especially for prolonged periods of time. The higher the alcohol content, the faster the chemical reaction, the faster the evaporation rate... meaning less risk to the pipe.

A good point. Everclear is about $15 for a 1/5th here, so its cheap enough. A fifth lasts me over a year on restorations.

 

[cajunguy]

I pay approximately $12 for my bottles. I do quite a few restorations, though, so, unfortunately, I go through a bit more. It really is fantastic stuff. It tastes like crap, but its one hell of an antiseptic/cleaner/chemical agent/circus fire blower prop.

 

[adam12]

In some places, it's illegal. I guess certain states want to avoid people having clean pipes.

 

[philip]

I use Bacardi 151 (on the shanks). It works fine.

I don't taste any rum when I smoke the pipes.

 

[cajunguy]

To the original poster, it seems that the topic has derailed a bit from what was originally intended. I noticed a hint of frustration and, if I contributed to that, I certainly apologize. There are a number of excellent sites from which you can find information:
Pipedia
Here's a decent summary

How to Clean your Pipe
Youtube is also an excellent place to view videos on cleaning your pipes thoroughly.
Here's a nice FAQ entry on rotating your pipes:

Rotating your Pipes
Yes, you should pick up a few other pipes to enter into your rotation. Corn cobs, as mentioned by others, are a good option. Ebay is an excellent place to pick up some pipes for a relatively low price (depending on the pipe, of course).
Hope this helps. Happy smoking.

 

[ssjones]

Great info cajunguy, that should be helpful to any rookie.
Stumpy: If you do need advice on an ebay pipe, feel free to PM us, we won't snipe the pipe from you.

 

[stumpyds8]

Thank you all again!

 

[abala653]

Be careful with alcohol because it affect the finish on the bowl and sometimes the stem. It is, however, one of the best things to use to deep clean a pipe. Ream the bowl if it needs it and then do the salt/alcohol or cotton/alcohol method. Both work well, just give it time. I also use pipe cleaners dipped in alcohol for the stem and shank; just stick them in and leave them. For me, cotton is easier to get out after the pipe has sat. Once clean just let it sit out and air dry completely.

hope i offered some help

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abala

 

[anarchisthermit]

In 45 + years pipe smoking, I have never had an occasion where I felt a need to do any kind of deep alcohol cleaning of any pipe. I ream back the cake as needed and am liberal in my use of pipe cleaners.
My Dad and Grand Dad would roll over in their graves at the thought of doing so.

 

[fitzy]

I SEE ZOMBIES!!!

 

[pruss]

Zombie thread or not, as a guy who tries to resurrect old briar on a semi-regular basis I can tell you that my job would be a lot easier if guys like anarchisthermit's grand-dad and dad had occasionally run a cleaner dipped in alcohol through the shank and stem, and had deep cleaned the mortise and the bowl.
The mortise is the one spot on a pipe which requires the most solvent assisted elbow grease to pull tars, oils, and rancid gunk of every kind. Anarchisthermit, you may not feel the need to do this work on your pipes, but I can tell you that you'd likely taste the difference in your smoke if you did.
YMMV
-- Pat