How do you deal with pipe gurgle if you don't have a cleaner at hand?

[pstlpkr]

I rarely take pipe cleaners with me when I'm out and about.

Today I was smoking a bowl of "Evening Cordial" (a sample sent by a friend) and I developed a bit of gurgle.

It occurred to me that as a matter of reflex I quickly puffed a bit of air back down the draft hole to stop the gurgle. I've done this seemingly for ever without ever thinking about it.

Just wondering if anyone else does this in a pinch, or like I have been known to do on occasion (outdoors), to give the pipe a sling to clear the moisture from the stem.

 

[dervis]

Do that myself now that I think about it. And if to bad hold it at an downward angle and tap against my jeans. Works in a pinch.

 

[hobie1dog]

I blow back into the stem hole for 5-10 seconds and it always works, as I've never used a pipe cleaner yet for that.

 

[oldshacker]

I have been known to blow in to the pipe to get rid of any gurgle. I'm outside working and do wonder if it changes the smell of the tocacco.

 

[joshwolftree]

I tilt the pipe bowl down and tap it a few times on the hand then give it a sec to reabsorb the moisture. Though since I've taken to smoking my briars in the house and my nearly gurgle free cobs when I'm out it isn't as much of an issue because the cleaner tube is right next to the ashtray

 

[rigmedic1]

I have always done it that way, Lawrence. Seemed like the natural way to burn off the excess moisture. Only time it doesnt work is if I am smoking a really wet aro.

 

[slowwideturns]

I just pull the stem off and blow it out and continue smoking

 

[radio807]

I blow back into the stem. I thought about trying the sling method, but I imagine that you'd get a bit of a taste of the liquid at the end of the stem. I'd rather chew my arm off than taste that stuff. I imagine that's what they serve you to drink in Hell.

 

[hfearly]

I usually cover the top of the bowl real tight and build up pressure down the draft hole by blowing into the pipe, then slightly open a small gap to 'depressurize', usually moisture is then in the heel of the pipe and gets burned off by the tobacco embers. After 5-10 seconds of "ffsshhh" sound the pipe is good to go.

 

[gmwolford]

I usually keep a pipe cleaner handy. I've done the sling-method outdoors but once came a hair of slinging the entire pipe; think that was the last time I did that.
Never thought about blowing back into the pipe. Actually I'd have thought that wouldn't be good. Anyway, I like Nic's pressurized idea and will give that a shot.

 

[captainprophesy]

Yeah I blow back into the stem... But gooing to try out Nic's method.

 

[mrenglish]

Interesting, I have never tried the blow back method. Normally, I just cup the bowl in my hand and give the pipe a quick flick with the wrist, stem facing outward. That removes the gurgle, just make sure you don't do that in front of someone. LOL

 

[shaintiques]

I do both, the tap method normally on a pant leg or blow it back into the bowl

 

[cigrmaster]

There has only been a few times when I did not have cleaners and I will just take the stem off and blow through it. I never tried the blow back method, but will next time. I have pipe cleaners in my car, I have them all over my house, and the only time I get caught without them is when I am taking the dogs for a walk. I now have a dozen pipes in the collection that have never needed a pipe cleaner to get rid of excess moisture, which is pure joy in my book. I hate that gurgle sound, so I smoke those 12 more often than the rest of my collection. My goal is too ultimately have almost every pipe in the collection one that does not ever need a pipe cleaner.

 

[john218]

I blow down the stem. It seems to me that slinging the pipe would drive the moisture into the stem, making matters worse, but that's just my opinion. However, I've seen a quite a few warnings against removing the stem of a warm pipe.

 

[cigrmaster]

john, I agree, removing the stem of a warm pipe isn't the brightest thing to do, which is why I try not getting caught without cleaners. If done carefully it is ok, but you cannot force it, it it feels like it doesn't want to move, I back off.

 

[msandoval858]

The only time I ever use a cleaner (aside from cleaning) on a pipe is when I relight one that has been been sitting partially smoked. I often smoke a partial bowl after I drop the kids off in the morning and head to the office and finish it on the way home. The cleaner just makes sure there's no gunk in there to make that first relight taste off.
As for the gurgle, I am fortunate that I rarely experience it. Honestly I can't recall the last time one of my pipes did that. When I do, the gentely blow back through the stem usually resolves it quickly.

 

[orionpyoung]

Just tried that blowing down the stem trick for the first time on my Weber pot and it worked great! Managed to get through the bowl with fewer relights then ever before.

 

[mikey]

I've never given it any thought, a puff or two back into the bowl works for me. No one has ever told me what to do, it just seemed to be the thing to do at the time. Personally I would'nt want the sour taste in the stem.

 

[zanthal]

If you've got good embers going in chamber, if you tilt the stem towards the sky, the condensation will run into the bowl and some of it will sizzle off as steam.
Pipe cleaners are without a doubt the best way to clear the draft hole, though.