Everclear & comparable liquors for pipe cleaning?

[aquilas]

As long as it's 91% or above Isopropyl you are perfectly fine.

Yeah that's what I'm using right now. Haven't had any ill effects from it.

If any friends travel to non slave territories like Reno/Tahoe, Vegas, or Arizona give them a few bucks.

Hmmmmm....Reno, you say. I actually have some cousins going up there this Saturday. Imma have to ask them to check for me. Thanks for the tip!

 

[checotah]

FWIW, you will have a hard time finding any alcohol truly greater that 190 proof. Alcohol tends to be hygroscopic and absorbs water out of the atmosphere, especially above the 190 proof level. While purer alcohol can be created in the lab, it requires specialized equipment to create it and specialized vessels to hold it.
That aside, and to the OP, I use 151 rum to clean my pipes. High enough alcohol content to do the job and leaves a nice finish after-taste.

 

[lurch76]

I guess this is what the old timers used. It is 87% alcohol. I found it in a humidor when I bought a stand with some estate pipes.

 

[jazzlover]

I've used two things: 91 percent isopropyl and Oggun brand "aguardiente" which is 151 proof rum. Both work well but the aguardiente imparts a slight flavor to the smoke which never lasts past the first half of the first bowl after cleaning.

 

[tennesseean87]

Iso here. It is not meant to be consumed, so I don't drink it. It dries, I smoke, and my wallet stays intact!

 

[tennesseean87]

Sorry, accidental double post.

 

[smokeybear]

I always used 99% Isopropyl Alcohol There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, Your not consuming it if you allow min 2-3 days drying time. After that time the alcohol would be none existent and you will have a very clean pipe.

 

[puffdoggie]

Smokeybear, et al., using iso 99% is not as much fun as using Everclear, 151, etc. Clean. clean, sip, sip, clean, clean, clean, sip, sip. If it ain't fun I ain't doin' it! :clap:

 

[smokeybear]

True but i prefer a good single malt anyway lol

 

[buster]

Aquilas said,

Question for those in California: We can't get Everclear here or other grain alcohols like the one the OP mentioned. What high proof spirits do you all use then? I almost got 151 the other day, but I really want to use Everclear or something like it. I have a buddy who said he could get everclear at an airforce base, but it seems a bit of an inconvenience just to drive a while to the base for some everclear.
POSTED 1 WEEK AGO #
I live in California and buy ever clear at Bev Mo.
http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Spirits/Other-Whiskeys/Everclear/Everclear-151-Grain-Alcohol/3709

 

[oldsoldier]

I agree anglesey. I use nothing but Vodka; The Cheapest Vodka!
High grade or cheap; the pipe doesn't know the difference.