Floating Black Particles

[Philosopiper]

Ever notice black particles floating up and around, especially right after lighting your pipe? When I catch them in my hand, and touch them, they liquify. I assume these can only be particles of tar.

I mention it because I never hear others mentioning this phenomenon. But it's one of the small things about pipe smoking that keeps me, strangely, amused. Just the image of some tar congealing in the chamber and floating up and out--if I understand the process right--instead of going down and up the shank as expected... And then randomly noticing this stuff floating around, these particles that have evaded death by pipe cleaner, even minutes after putting the pipe down.

 

[mso489]

I've noticed unplanned smoke rings but never black particles. I'll start paying attention and see. I do not build cake in pipes; I scour out the bowl after each smoke with paper towel, so never need a reamer, and the chamber circumference stays about the same, so I may see no or fewer black particles.

 

[Casual]

I’ve never experienced such things. But I’d be careful about it.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

If you're ever walking around at night on a foggy day it's really neat to see how a flashlight will illuminate the water droplets in the air.
It is kind of crazy how big floating particles of water can be.

 

[scloyd]

I've noticed little floating black particles like you're describing after lighting with Diamond Greenlight matches. I thought it had something to do with those particular stick matches.

 

[sasquatch]

Yeah it's off matches as far as I've ever been able to tell. Never seen it with a Bic.

 

[Philosopiper]

I use diamond greenlight matches-- Mystery solved! Thanks fellas. Now the question is what is the black stuff?

 

[Grangerous]

I’m stickin with a bic

 

[mingc]

I use diamond greenlight matches-- Mystery solved! Thanks fellas. Now the question is what is the black stuff?

I'd guess that they're particles of burnt phosphorus and other stuff from the match head.

 

[Briar Lee]

I’m older than Bic lighters.

Back when most smokers lit up with matches or a Zippo, there were three kinds of portable matches used.

The most popular were Diamond Brand strike anywhere matches, sold everyplace cigarettes and tobacco were, in a little box, first for a penny and then two for a nickel before Bic lighters (and the cheaper Wanna Be Bics) replaced them.

Occasionally those little boxes said Safety Matches, which meant old men could not strike them off a brass button on the front of their bibs.

Then there were books of matches, usually free, with advertising.

I usually used book matches and they always said

CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING

It happened to me several times, that when I neglected to close the cover the entire match book would flare off.

I wish I’d looked for the black dots.

Today I use a Zippo, and must have developed a resistance to tasting naphtha.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Carbon particles.

 

[romaso]

Today I use a Zippo, and must have developed a resistance to tasting naphtha.

I've found that Zippo fuel has the least taste and is what I always use.
I tried Ronson liquid lighter fuel once and was very disappointed with the scent/flavor it had.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've found that Zippo fuel has the least taste and is what I always use.
I tried Ronson liquid lighter fuel once and was very disappointed with the scent/flavor it had.

The newer Zippo fuel has reduced odor.

 

[romaso]

The newer Zippo fuel has reduced odor.

View attachment 97345

Yes, that's the one I always get & recommend. 4 & 12 oz cans,
I believe its the only lighter fluid Zippo sells now.

 

[mingc]

Yes, that's the one I always get & recommend. 4 & 12 oz cans,
I believe its the only lighter fluid Zippo sells now.

Zippo bought the Ronsonol brand in 2010.

The Zippo US MSDS shows naptha. The Ronsonol US MSDS does not. Are they different? I suspect it'd be more efficient business-wise to make just one product for the two brands, but who knows.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

My suspicion is that any such particles are most likely to be some of the partially-burned hydrocarbons released before the fire gets going fully in the pipe. Some of these are what settles on the rim of a pipe and forms that build-up of gunk thereupon.

 

[condorlover1]

Black particles in the air huh? Only after a really good vegetarian curry!

 

[mingc]

Black particles in the air huh? Only after a really good vegetarian curry!

Those must be the same particles I see after 1792 on a empty stomach!

 

[condorlover1]

Can also cause 'Rim' charring!

 

[anotherbob]

Ever notice black particles floating up and around, especially right after lighting your pipe? When I catch them in my hand, and touch them, they liquify. I assume these can only be particles of tar.

I mention it because I never hear others mentioning this phenomenon. But it's one of the small things about pipe smoking that keeps me, strangely, amused. Just the image of some tar congealing in the chamber and floating up and out--if I understand the process right--instead of going down and up the shank as expected... And then randomly noticing this stuff floating around, these particles that have evaded death by pipe cleaner, even minutes after putting the pipe down.

never experienced such a thing. I've had some black ash particles float out but they disintegrate like ash and are not liquid. Not sure what's going on with your situation.