Do Yellow Acrylic Stems Smoke Cooler Than Black Stems?

[Mike N]

Just throwing this question out for discussion. It sometimes feels to me that my yellow pipe stems smoke cooler than my black ones. Is this real or imagined?

We know that a black object absorbs all wavelengths of light and converts them into heat, so the object gets warm. A white or lighter object generally reflects all wavelengths of light, so the light is not converted into heat and the temperature of the object does not increase noticeably.

Thoughts?

(click on photo to enlarge)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No... but you are allowed to think that they smoke cooler.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Maybe... There is a possibility that the pipes you have with yellow stems are drilled better, or have a draw more to your liking. But there is zero chance that they smoke better because of stem color.

It could also be some form of cognitive bias, you perceive the pipes to smoke better simply because you have an affinity for them based in some part to stem color.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

If anything, the darker stems would smoke cooler based upon your thermodynamics theory about the darker color absorbing heart. They would absorb more heat from the smoke. Rest assured, the color of the stem makes no discernible difference in the temperature of the smoke.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Perhaps a black stem might get a little warmer in sunlight, but black objects are also better at radiating infrared light.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The reason for my quick response is that the smoke moves so fast up the stem (almost instantaneous) that any affects that the properties of a stem may have, just don't have time to affect the smoke.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Just throwing this question out for discussion. It sometimes feels to me that my yellow pipe stems smoke cooler than my black ones. Is this real or imagined?

<< Snipped bits out >>

Thoughts?

Yes, it's both. First, imagined, but if you really believe what "feels" to you as cooler, it is real. Or, purtanear.

 

[solideogloria86]

Red ones smoke faster.

 

[sablebrush52]

Red ones smoke faster.

I prefer chartreuse.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Agree with others - no. Color will have no impact on cooler smokes.

 

[georged]

Yes, it's both. First, imagined, but if you really believe what "feels" to you as cooler, it is real.

Sounds like BS, but is literally true. Brain researchers call it the placebo effect:

Placebo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jbrewer2002]

Sounds like BS, but is literally true. Brain researchers call it the placebo effect:

Placebo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I have to think that there a lot of things in this hobby that are influenced by the Placebo Effect.

 

[georged]

I have to think that there a lot of things in this hobby that are influenced by the Placebo Effect.

This ^^^^

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have to think that there a lot of things in this hobby that are influenced by the Placebo Effect.

This isn't isolated to pipe smoking by any means but it certainly affects a lot of aspects of pipe smoking.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Sounds like BS, but is literally true. Brain researchers call it the placebo effect:

Placebo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

My favorite tobacco is Placebo Plug. It’s a blend of flu cured Virginia and broasted cavendish cased with vitamin C.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

It’s highly unlikely that the yellow stems smoke any differently with regard to temperature as compared to the black stems—what may be an unaccounted factor is the different shapes and thicknesses of the briar bowls and how the perceived heat in your hand may be different, which may colour your perception of the temperature of the smoke.

Through my experience with high-end audio over the last twenty-eight years, I do think there are instances where we’re not measuring the right things that might give a better idea of why something is different. The key is figuring out what to measure.

When I was playing competitive darts many years ago, I used a polymer flight system that came in a variety of colours. My friends and I found that the clear versions were more durable and lasted longer. I suspect that the pigments used meant less of the substrate was present because of the pigment taking up space within the polymer, making the flights more prone to tearing. Several friends used to mix and match colours with a set of three flights. I opted to use the same colour (or lack thereof) for all three after I discovered the black flights were a bit heavier than the clear—same darts, same shaped flights from the same company, but whenever I used the black flights, my darts dipped in the back when entering the dartboard instead of landing level or with the backs slightly up. This was consistent and repeatable. Small things can make differences.

 

[Searock Fan]

This is a new one for me!

I can think of several wise-ass answers, but I'll control myself. Only thing I can figure is you have some yellow stems that are bored extra large and it making for a slightly cooler smoke. But, can't see how color could make a difference.

 

[woodsroad]

I have been well-beaten to the punch.
There are so many variables that effect smoke temperature in a more meaningful way. Which raises a question: Why aren’t water pipes more widely used in the US?

 

[Ahi Ka]

I just googled “cool guy smoking pipe” and the first 100 images all had dudes smoking pipes with black stems. It appears that black stems are in fact cooler to smoke….but then I stumbled upon the anomaly, the essence of coolness, keeping it smokey. All of the other guys now look like posey wankers.

 

[georged]

When I was playing competitive darts many years ago...

It sure was fun, wasn't it?

Discovered that I had a knack, and went all in for a while. (Then a lovely girl came along, and, well, my interests were re-directed... lol)

Anyway, was captain of a team that won the Greater Phoenix League Championship three seasons in a row, won a televised cricket tournament final once, and was a Western States All-Stars team alternate.

And I still have half a shoebox filled with tungsten dart bodies, assorted shafts & flights, and two diamond wire bristle boards in a closet.

Coming up on 40 years ago... (now that's a weird feeling)