Freezing Temperatures And Robust Briar

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Hi everyone, it is very cold here in Québec (-20°C/-4°F), and I wanted to know if there is a possibility that my pipe may break due to thermal shock when I'm smoking it outside. I would rather look silly here with a question like this than break my favourite pipe. Thanks in advance!

 

[Skyfall]

Not sure about that, but those cold temps make it easier to break the stem if ya drop it!! Almost like dropping glass.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Hi everyone, it is very cold here in Québec (-20°C/-4°F), and I wanted to know if there is a possibility that my pipe may break due to thermal shock when I'm smoking it outside. I would rather look silly here with a question like this than break my favourite pipe. Thanks in advance!

I can’t answer your question. That is pretty cold. Better to ask before you become “Vlad the Pipe Destroyer”

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Not sure about that, but those cold temps make it easier to break the stem if ya drop it!! Almost like dropping glass.

Thanks for the tip! I wouldn't be too worried about dropping and breaking the stem, since there is a thick layer of snow covering everything here. But I've noticed that an army mount might not be the best type of tenon-stummel connection when smoking in winter ; it tends to fall off if I'm not careful enough, the cold affecting the volume of the vulcanite.

 

[Skyfall]

Well the cold makes it extremely brittle.
I lost a nice camenitto due to cold.

 

[warren]

Pipe comes out of a nice warm pocket, stuffed and lit, nice warm cherry exuding heat, held in a warm hand, I've had no problems over many years smoking, some of it in waaay below zero temps (North Slope oil fields). Anecdotal info is all I can offer.

Of course, if the pipe already has some unseen/unknown defect....all bets are off I suppose.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Thank you, I'll keep in mind that vulcanite is fragile when cold and that I do not need to be tense when I'm out and about, smoking in the winter.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Thank you, I'll keep in mind that vulcanite is fragile when cold and that I do not need to be tense when I'm out and about, smoking in the winter.

May I suggest buying a few inexpensive corn cob pipes for the extreme weather. All of your anxiety will disappear.

 

[warren]

I should point out most smoking was in the truck when Slope temps reached -20 or so on the Slope.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

I haven’t dealt with temps that cold, but while camping I have lit up my briars at well below freezing temps with no problems. And the pipe was not warmed up but 17 degrees—or whatever the temperature was

 

[Hillcrest]

I've never had a problem but then I only smoke lesser pipes in that kind of cold and not for very long...then I dump it and come inside. The pipe usually lasts longer than I do ...

 

[didimauw]

Pipe comes out of a nice warm pocket, stuffed and lit, nice warm cherry exuding heat, held in a warm hand, I've had no problems over many years smoking, some of it in waaay below zero temps (North Slope oil fields). Anecdotal info is all I can offer.

Of course, if the pipe already has some unseen/unknown defect....all bets are off I suppose.

I was going to brag about the cold here in Wisconsin, and say how I've never had any issues with my pipes. But I cant complain about the cold anymore now Warren! Make me look like a sissy here.

 

[RL Bucktails]

i would imagine some wicked moisture smoking in those temps?

 

[OzPiper]

Antarctica explorers Roald Amundsen and Sir Ernest Shackleton were noted pipe smokers.
I doubt they gave any thoughts to coddling their pipes

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

i would imagine some wicked moisture smoking in those temps?

The cold affects way less the humidity of the smoke as you would think. It is a less harsh, colder smoke, for sure, but I haven't noticed improved humidity (apart from the occasional water drop dripping from my mustache )