Grabow stems

[HeadMisfit]

As I clean once more I am baffled about the choice behind making stems.

Grabow, with mine, made the plastic stem with a rectangle shaped airway in it. It's horrid to clean, normally the only option is scrubbing from both ends with a doubled over pipe cleaner.

And normally xant get a taste or smell out unless I dribble isopropyl through. Then it's sweet till the next smoke finishes. Cleaning the aluminum piece that slides into the shank is just as bad.

Why not use a round hole like normal people?
Is there a quick replacement stem i can get?

 

[Waning Embers]

Careful with alcohol on those, it'll destroy the stems.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

As I clean once more I am baffled about the choice behind making stems.

Grabow, with mine, made the plastic stem with a rectangle shaped airway in it. It's horrid to clean, normally the only option is scrubbing from both ends with a doubled over pipe cleaner.

And normally xant get a taste or smell out unless I dribble isopropyl through. Then it's sweet till the next smoke finishes. Cleaning the aluminum piece that slides into the shank is just as bad.

Why not use a round hole like normal people?
Is there a quick replacement stem i can get?

I don’t have any trouble with mine. The advantage of the aluminum tenon is it makes removing the stem super easy even when pipe is warm. If I run a cleaner both ways through the stem and wipe down the tenon after every smoke, it stays clean. I pull the cleaner to one side then the other of the rectangular opening while pulling it through. A fluffy cleaner will get into those corners. I smoke, and clean, my Grabow every day. No problems with build up

I second the warning on using alcohol on plastic.

I have read on these forums about people having stems on grabows replaced by repair specialists other than grabows, so i think it can be done.

 

[edger]

@Chasing Embers has commented in the past that the aluminum tenon has sharp edges that scrape away briar in the mortise rendering the stem loose. I bought a cheap set of diamond? tools at Harbor Freight. The set has a small pointed head that I use to round over the tenons slots and round end. After this my Grabows can be cleaned after every smoke with no apparent wear in the briar mortise. I like Grabows!!

 

[HeadMisfit]

I don’t have any trouble with mine. The advantage of the aluminum tenon is it makes removing the stem super easy even when pipe is warm. If I run a cleaner both ways through the stem and wipe down the tenon after every smoke, it stays clean. I pull the cleaner to one side then the other of the rectangular opening while pulling it through. A fluffy cleaner will get into those corners. I smoke, and clean, my Grabow every day. No problems with build up

I second the warning on using alcohol on plastic.

I have read on these forums about people having stems on grabows replaced by repair specialists other than grabows, so i think it can be done.

It needs constant cleaning only time I've gotten the aluminum completely clean took a 2 day soak

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Edger has some good advice if you gotta take them apart.


I just leave the stems on and water flush my Grabows. I actually do that on all my pipes.

As far as I can tell... the Grabows will have a pretty short life, with that metal tearing up the mortise, if you always take 'em apart.

 

[HeadMisfit]

The aluminum. Does scrape slightly. But its hard to notice be cause the pipe goes together easy but you get stem inserted fully in place, it's tight to pull out

 

[Sobrbiker]

I’ve only got one, an Adjustomatic. Sometimes the threaded parts stick together and the “clutch” in the stem spins rather than the assembly unscrewing.
I have no issues cleaning mine, and when I remember I wipe the threads with Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner. This keeps it from sticking.
I have had to repair my stem with G-Flex, as I didn’t know they were prone to alcohol damage and it was in sad shape when I got it.
I’ve tried to contact the mothership about getting a new stem, as I’ve heard they did this in the past, but have had no luck.