I switched to 99% isopropyl myself, from Everclear, and noticed zero difference. The Isopropyl, at about $2/bottle from Walmart is a lot easier to find in Maryland. I saw no benefit to sticking with Everclear.
Favorite alcohol for pipe cleaning/sweetening
- Thread starter unclefloyd
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No idea. The bottle is still in my cupboard…and it takes a long time to go through a bottle.
Another vote for Everclear. Besides, you never know when a party will break out and you will need to spike the punch!
Who actually drinks everclear,, that's shits basically gasoline..
You mix it 50/50 with “Hand Grenade” mix from the Tropical Isle in New Orleans and after drinking about 8oz. you probably won’t be able to stand up.
91% IPA. only on estates. Once I've finished the original cleaning, I now only use water, soap, and a tube brush.
yes, sir. works fantastic. I spent the first few decades of pipe smoking worrying about even night mist getting near my briar pipes, only using IPA. Did some of my own experiments, because I was still dense and over-protective. Came to find out that running water and soap do no damage to the wood, nor the dyes. Also leaves no aftertaste, in case there is that concern. The only downside to washing with soap and water is that it does remove the wax, so I have to re-wax my pipes if I give them a good scrubbing. But that's also a concern if you get alcohol on the outer surface. Highly recommend soap, water, scrub pad (for inside the bowl), and a tube brush. Faster. Cheaper. Better than alcohol and pipe cleaners and salt an whatever other deal I've tried.
Buffalo Trace is fantastic!Pipe sweetner here. My Buffalo Trace is for drinking.
As someone once told me….I taught you all that you know but not all
that I know.
I say any brown liquor is good. Though Brandy is my favorite. I like that neat extra flavor on the next two bowls.
I only asked about the soap because the only experience I've had with soap in my pipes was many years ago when my brother-in law washed one of my pipes with soap and it then tasted like soap (not Lakeland), nothing I did could remove the taste and I had to throw it in the trash. What kind of soap do you use?
I have been smoking a pipe for a few decades and in that time have tried almost all methods- water, rubbing alcohol, pipe sweetener, no clean method, everclear, vodka, rum etc etc.
For some reason, with rubbing alcohol (and pipe sweeteners), I get a bitter taste no matter how long I leave it to sit and dry out. Seeing as that I don’t drink alcohol I really tried to like the rubbing alcohol method but I just could not. Switched to everclear and never looked back. Not to say that I don’t use other methods from time to time but mostly the everclear.
For some reason, with rubbing alcohol (and pipe sweeteners), I get a bitter taste no matter how long I leave it to sit and dry out. Seeing as that I don’t drink alcohol I really tried to like the rubbing alcohol method but I just could not. Switched to everclear and never looked back. Not to say that I don’t use other methods from time to time but mostly the everclear.
Tito's vodka is what I use when I deep clean my pipes.
Gentle dish soap, my fingers, hot running water, pipe cleaners and some clean paper towels to dry.
Alcohol????
Do you bathe yourself in alcohol?
Do you wash your clothes in alcohol?
How about your car?
The dog?
Can you taste a ghost on your dinner dishes? No, no you cannot.
There’s no gentler way to freshen a pipe, loosen grunge and rinse it clear than dish soap and hot running water.
No harm will come to your pipe. We set fire
to them!
All alcohol does is make a mess inside and I’ll bet you taste that.
Alcohol????
Do you bathe yourself in alcohol?
Do you wash your clothes in alcohol?
How about your car?
The dog?
Can you taste a ghost on your dinner dishes? No, no you cannot.
There’s no gentler way to freshen a pipe, loosen grunge and rinse it clear than dish soap and hot running water.
No harm will come to your pipe. We set fire
to them! All alcohol does is make a mess inside and I’ll bet you taste that.