How do you Prevent Rim Darkening

[tzinc]

Is there any way to prevent rim darkening I have been wiping after each smoke but it doesn't seem to work, it is a little darker after each smoke lol.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

If it's residue, the enzymes in saliva will often help remove the build up. It could be that your flame is actually charring the rim. Keeping the flame above the level pipe rim and drawing the flame to the tobacco will help reduce charring.

 

[Aomalley27]

Don’t fill your pipe all the way. Use 3/4, and a direct flame, or better yet matches. Slow draw to char, heavier draw will cause a flare up.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I also find packing the tobacco below the rim helps.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

My problems stopped when I began using a pointed lighter.

 

[bullet08]

Don't torch your pipe. And spit shine with.. Spit once in awhile.

 

[solideogloria86]

If it's residue, the enzymes in saliva will often help remove the build up. It could be that your flame is actually charring the rim. Keeping the flame above the level pipe rim and drawing the flame to the tobacco will help reduce charring.

Saliva and a pipe cleaner work wonders. This was 2 or 3 years worth of gunk, that I'd always assumed was permanent, until I learned the spit shine technique.

 

[solideogloria86]

It's also worth noting that if you're using butane, odds are high that what's darkening your rim is mostly butane residue and not charring. It definitely could be charring if you're being careless with the flame, but if you're taking the care to wipe the rim after each smoke, it doesn't sound like you're that careless.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Folks: I very much doubt charring is at play here at all. At least I hope not.

Charring is when the briar is damaged such that a spit shine won't do shinola.

 

[Donb1972]

The spit method works well. The only pipe I own that I have to be super careful with is a raw briar. Spit isn't going to fix that one! But all my other clean up well with just a bit of care.

 

[sablebrush52]

The only way to prevent rim darkening is to NEVER smoke your pipe. There are ways to reduce the amount of rim darkening by running a bit of spit over the rim just prior to lighting up, keepin the flame, which should be soft not hard, away from the wood, and by cleaning the rims with spit or cold coffee to remove tar build up. But some darkening is going to happen over time as a consequence of the wood being heated.

 

[newbroom]

I distinctly remember a post on this subject by chasingembers, about 7 yrs ago. (?)
He said he used tissue and black coffee and elbow grease. Others attested.
I use a stick wrapped with hempwick that I light with a tamper and get directed flame.
I have some pipes that just seem to 'sweat' at the rim when they're smoked.

 

[jpmcwjr]

And virtually all wood will darken over time with exposure to light—(and maybe it will darken in the dark; dunno.)

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wet paper towels work wonders.

 

[Streeper541]

1. Don't set the rim on fire.
2. Wipe the rim when you're finished.

 

[kcghost]

Blackening is a minor problem provided you didn't take a torch to your pipe. Several people have stated the cure all you have to do is follow it.

 

[tzinc]

Thanks everyone I knew you guys would be all over this lol.

 

[instymp]

Like several posts above said.
Don't smoke it if you don't want discoloration.
You will be fine.

 

[anotherbob]

water works. A paper towel and water will clean up the gunk. It's probably not char. My suggestion is not to worry about it and consider part of a pipe being used.

 

[Sir Yak]

Lots of good info already posted. If you smoke your pipe the rim is probably going to show it. I will lick a finger and rub that on a smooth rim right before I light. Pretty sure that was already mentioned. I don’t know if it actually helps. Thankfully a damp paper towel will usually clean a rim up more than you’d expect.