I elected not to use any solvents in this one for fear of them breaking down the glue holding the cork gasket in and the godet on. So I just filled it with activated carbon. I’ll let it sit for a while like this. 
Exercising the ghost from a gourd calabash.
- Thread starter RustiePyles CPG
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Nice bash. Is it any particular make?
I bought a used Strambach off of ebay a few years back and although it was in great condition it had a terrible ghost. It really was revolting and it didn't smell like pipe tobacco had been smoked in it. I'm pretty sure it had been used for hash/weed. If you've ever smelled dirty bong water it smelled like that.
The bowl, gourd, stem and cork were in perfect condition and it looked like it hadn't been smoked that much.
I used very high strength vodka (176 US proof) that I warmed up then poured into the gourd. I let it sit for a few minutes then poured it out. The first 3 - 4 times I did it the liquid that came out was very dark and nasty. I gave the gourd a very gentle scrub with some brushes and repeated the vodka treatment a few more times until the liquid that came out was pretty clear. The end result was about 80% better. It still wasn't right, though. In the end I found that leaving the gourd exposed to the air for about 3 months finished the job and the pipe had a neutral smell.
Here's a pic
I bought a used Strambach off of ebay a few years back and although it was in great condition it had a terrible ghost. It really was revolting and it didn't smell like pipe tobacco had been smoked in it. I'm pretty sure it had been used for hash/weed. If you've ever smelled dirty bong water it smelled like that.
The bowl, gourd, stem and cork were in perfect condition and it looked like it hadn't been smoked that much.
I used very high strength vodka (176 US proof) that I warmed up then poured into the gourd. I let it sit for a few minutes then poured it out. The first 3 - 4 times I did it the liquid that came out was very dark and nasty. I gave the gourd a very gentle scrub with some brushes and repeated the vodka treatment a few more times until the liquid that came out was pretty clear. The end result was about 80% better. It still wasn't right, though. In the end I found that leaving the gourd exposed to the air for about 3 months finished the job and the pipe had a neutral smell.
Here's a pic
I have a gourd Meerschaum CAO from the mid 80s. Over the years I have had to clean it in a similar manner as just mentioned above. These particular products need high maintenance cleaning from time to time.
I've got 4 gourd calabashes and they all definitely need a deep clean from time to time. I find that giving the gourd a good wipe with some kitchen roll after every smoke helps a lot.
Don't be afraid to re cork them from time to time. Clarinet cork and clarinet cork grease work amazingly well.
How did that activated charcoal work for you.
Yeah, the cork in this one is great shape so I’d like to preserve it, at least for the time being.
I’ll report back after it’s sat for a while, the Carbon has only been in the pipe a few hours.
Yeah this one is foul for sure, it’s pipe tobacco but is nasty. If the carbon doesn’t do the trick i my try some grain alcohol.
A 24-hour kosher salt and Everclear soak should do the trick.
Heated a little, not too much. And don’t be afraid to lightly brush.
I never used salt on a gourd. Have you done so and if you did, did the salt interact with the gourd?
That's the reason I didn't use salt. I was worried it might crack the gourd or something. Mine was really disgusting but the high strength vodka did the trick. I had to do it about 6 - 7 times but in the end that and few months airing it worked great.
I use a little chapstick of woodwind instrument cork grease. It only needs a tiny bit to nourish the cork.
Timely thread
I am waiting on delivery of a CPF calabash that is in need of some restoration and a lot of cleaning I’m sure.
I am waiting on delivery of a CPF calabash that is in need of some restoration and a lot of cleaning I’m sure.
I've always done that with my gourds with no negative effects, but they are also newer pipes.
If you're really concerned I suppose stuffing it full of cotton balls will probably work too...
The only negative there is that petroleum products can break down adhesives. I've only ever used lanolin.