Grain Alcohol or 99% Isopropyl for Retort Cleaning?

[kgill]

Can these be used interchangeably for cleaning the interior of the pipe with the retort process or must only one of them be used and if so why?
Thanks

kgill

 

[ssjones]

I use 99% iso. Everclear (or grain) is a bit too pricey and I don't think function is enhanced. (same for soaking in salt/alcohol). My opinion.

 

[durham270]

I use only Everclear, Golden grain, etc for cleaning out those pipe bowls along with Kosher salt. Many will use cotton balls in place of salt.

 

[shawn622]

I only use high proof liquor

 

[wayneteipen]

Either is fine to use and work equally well. Everclear/grain alcohol is food grade so some prefer it.

 

[ciderguy]

I don't like to put anything in or through my pipe that isn't safe for eating or smoking. I'd worry about inhaling the isopropyl fumes.

 

[waznyf]

I use both solutions. Honestly, no harm is going to be brought to you by using either of these. Many people use both, and yet no one has experienced any negative side effects other then MAYBE a bad taste, but even that sounds like a long shot to me. Maybe my palate isn't sensitive enough.

Use whichever you find both more affordable and easier to access. Heck, try them both and see which you prefer! For all you know, you'd rather use rum or whiskey.
-Frank

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Grain alcohol is fine if you can get some that has 90%+ (180 Proof) alcohol. Where I live you can't get that high of a proof alcohol. So I use 99% isopropyl (NOT denatured). They use it to clean open wounds so I'm not worried - besides, the stuff evaporates incredibly fast at that level, which is exactly what you want.

 

[swhipple]

I've used both and prefer the 99% Isopropanol. This is mostly because the highest proof grain alcohol we can get is 150. Compared to 99% Isopropanol it has a higher boiling point. So if you are using a retort it takes longer to get the grain alcohol boiling well.