Help identifying

[Piperjd]

I’ve recently fallen in love with the moonshine shapes, especially the devil dog. Still new to learning how to break in a pipe properly… I noticed the bowl coat from moonshine was rather loose and it wiped out by the tins when the pipe first arrived…this is now after 3 smokes after that bowl coat was wiped out. Is this cake forming or cracking? May have to click on them, I’ll make the last one zoomed in as best I can on my phone

 

[zanxion]

It looks just a fine cake build up. Don't sweat on it. It will build nicely gradually. After the first few smokes I wipe my bowls with paper towel to prevent or slow down further build up of the cake.

 

[Piperjd]

It looks just a fine cake build up. Don't sweat on it. It will build nicely gradually. After the first few smokes I wipe my bowls with paper towel to prevent or slow down further build up of the cake.

I think at first I was inadvertently stopping cake buildup on my other pipes because I was cleaning the bowls too hard with a paper towel and wiping it off before it could start, so the look of this is just new to me.

 

[zanxion]

It just looks a bit rough. I noticed this to some of my pipes too. After a while it gets smooth by the action of cleaning them with paper towels.

 

[Piperjd]

It just looks a bit rough. I noticed this to some of my pipes too. After a while it gets smooth by the action of cleaning them with paper towels.

I was hoping a lot of old timers would come in here and tell me I’m worried about nothing so I could relax about it lol.

 

[Waning Embers]

Looks fine.

I think at first I was inadvertently stopping cake buildup on my other pipes because I was cleaning the bowls too hard with a paper towel and wiping it off before it could start, so the look of this is just new to me.

That creates the carbon layer you really want instead of a flaky cake layer that can flake off and create hot spots.

 

[Piperjd]

Looks fine.


That creates the carbon layer you really want instead of a flaky cake layer that can flake off and create hot spots.

So what I’ve done on these is gone from wiping really hard with the paper towel to just softly wiping, so that’s what I should be expecting to see after 2-4 smokes?

 

[Waning Embers]

So what I’ve done on these is gone from wiping really hard with the paper towel to just softly wiping, so that’s what I should be expecting to see after 2-4 smokes?

Appears to be the start of the flaky cake I was referring to.


Wiping the chamber as you were presses down a film of residue that will form a hard carbon layer over time. Many don't bother with building a cake at all anymore.

 

[Piperjd]

Appears to be the start of the flaky cake I was referring to.
View attachment 427035

Wiping the chamber as you were presses down a film of residue that will form a hard carbon layer over time. Many don't bother with building a cake at all anymore.

So what’s your line of thought? Just keep doing the harder wiping or leave it as is? I’m mostly confused because I’ve not ever built a cake yet, I just swap around pipes too much, but I’m looking to make these daily smokers that I can take to work, so I’m worried about longevity

 

[Waning Embers]

Just keep doing the harder wiping

Absolutely.

I’m mostly confused because I’ve not ever built a cake yet,

That will take care of itself.

I’m worried about longevity

Those pipes will likely outlive your grandchildren.

 

[Piperjd]

Absolutely.



That will take care of itself.



Those pipes will likely outlive your grandchildren.

You’re the best! You always set me straight on here! Thank you!!

 

[Waning Embers]

You’re the best! You always set me straight on here! Thank you!!

You are very welcome.

 

[Piperjd]

You are very welcome.

In future I should just @ you directly lol

 

[Waning Embers]

In future I should just @ you directly lol

More than welcome to.

 

[HeadMisfit]

cake isnt anything really to be concerned about. its not going to really help much at all if you use a soft flame. And dont try to play choo choo train when puffing away.

And to be honest, the creation of cake in the bowl hampers with keeping the shank tasty