Ghost In a Meerschaum.
- Thread starter isaac
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Soaking the pipe in alcohol is not a good idea. However, swabbing the inside of the bowl and shank with high proof or isopropyl alcohol will not damage meerschaum; particularly if it's applied lightly as from a q-tip. Note that in a moistened state the material will be softer and susceptible to scratches.
Cob
Cob
Guess I'm going to have to give a meerschaum the cotton ball alcohol treatment.
When dealing with ghosts in meerschaum bowls, both block and lined briars, I've had tremendously good success with activated charcoal powder and water. Take the activated charcoal powder and add water to make a paste or slurry with it, then paint the inside of the bowl with it. I usually try to apply several coats, then I pour activated charcoal into the bowl and let it set for several days. Dump it, give it a gentle scrape with a pipe knife and then smoke away.
Word of caution, if you are inclined to make a mess doing something like this, best to wrap a block meer with saran wrap and masking tape to keep the charcoal off the outside, it will stain.
Word of caution, if you are inclined to make a mess doing something like this, best to wrap a block meer with saran wrap and masking tape to keep the charcoal off the outside, it will stain.
I may be wrong but alcohol and salt sounds really not good in a meer?
You'll find so many "not goods" online for meerschaum that I'm surprised how many new guys there are that aren't afraid to smoke them.
Yup, I have quite a few and would never even think to put alcohol or salt near them. A bit dangerous for smokers on here giving advice to folks when they don't even have meerschaum. Not trying to upset anyone, but maybe when it comes to advice, stick to what you know.
Meer care is easy. No cake, clean hands, wipe with soft cloth after each use. As embers said, meer is extremely forgiving when it comes to a ghost. Simply smoke a blend you like and a few bowls after that the ghost is gone. I smoke Lakeland blends on occasion in some of mine and it takes a few bowls to get back to nutral.
You could send them to me instead, I run a shelter for unwanted pipes. These cruel and demoralizing tests you subject your meerschaum to in the name of science make me sweat and have nightmares. Save the meerschaum, kill a briar!
Duane,
I salute your dedication to research.
And willingness to place your pipes on the sacrificial altar
It's not going to hurt it. I wiped one down with straight isopropyl in another thread with no ill effect.Duane,
I salute your dedication to research.
And willingness to place your pipes on the sacrificial altar
Very rarely. Much of what I've found online about meerschaum is more superstition or fear than fact.
And...we're off!Duane,
I salute your dedication to research.
And willingness to place your pipes on the sacrificial altar
Within the first 25 minutes, nothing more than the alcohol, cotton balls, and pipe cleaner leeching out impurities.
Not exactly what I said. Meerschaum being a natural sponge ghosts worse than any pipe material. Sometimes going all the way to the outside of the stummel. I just suggested fighting a strong ghost with another strong ghost.
Yep, I don't know if the alcohol will chase away his ghost, but it won't harm it, or dissolve it, or clog its pores up.
Cob
Cob