How Often Do You Change Your Paper Filters

[haroldt]

Most of my corn cob pipes have the Dr Grabow or medico paper filters. To those of you that uses paper filters, my question is how often do you replace the filters with fresh ones?
My habit is once a week, sooner if I've smoked a certain pipe heavy; later if I've only smoked it a few times.
If I have to guess I'd say I might get about 5 - 10 smoked before changing. Your thoughts??

 

[mcitinner1]

I usually change them after every bowl, but always after two bowls. I don't like my airflow to be pulled through the collected black tar on the front of the filter. I buy 6mm and 9mm filters by the biggest and cheapest quantities I can find. 8)

 

[darthcider]

I only have a filter on one pipe, it gets binned after two smokes.

 

[brokenkrayon]

I only smoke a bowl or 2 a week, so when I smoke my cob with a filter I will toss the filter when done. I do not want the filter to sit in the stem for a period of time while it is still wet and nasty.

 

[mso489]

I'll go with the consensus, about two bowls. I only have two or three filter pipes, cobs and a Grabow. Even

a new filter does strange things to a blend's flavor. Mainly, they dry out an over-moist aromatic and make

it bite less. With non-aros, which ironically seem to bite less, I don't like filters.

 

[jmatt]

I just received my first pipe that even uses a filter. Can I not just smoke it with no filter in place?

 

[derfargin]

HAHAHAHAHAHA...Paper filters...Good one!!!

 

[buster]

I only have two pipes with filters. I get rid of the filter each smoke. Got to keep your pipe clean!

 

[phil67]

How often do I have to change a filter... NEVER.
Which is simply a matter of why I never need to do so. Less hassle and every time you need to change the filter, which is VERY often, you must remove the stem which is something you should not have to do that frequently. Also, I like having the option of occasionally running a pipe cleaner through the stem when I feel the need to do so. Ya can't very well do that with a damn filter in the stem.

__________________________________

I just received my first pipe that even uses a filter. Can I not just smoke it with no filter in place?

Absolutely. I have several pipes that use filters but I never use them. However you can obtain, with some pipes, a filter insert to replace the filter if you feel the draw is too open.

 

[weezell]

I use filters on my Grabows and MM Cobs always. I happen to like them that way. After a few smoke or so I discard them and run a pipe cleaner thru. Works for me...

 

[toby67]

When I get a pipe that has a filter I pull it out and throw it on the fridge, tried one once, couldn't tell the difference so I thought why bother with the additional expense. I think the only regular thing a pipe needs is a pipe cleaner, oh and plenty of tobacco of course .... ::

 

[haroldt]

Thanks folks for your comments. Seems the consciences is that I should change mine more often then I do currently.
Plil67 You stated

, I like having the option of occasionally running a pipe cleaner through the stem when I feel the need to do so. Ya can't very well do that with a damn filter in the stem.

I have no problem sending a pipe cleaner down the stem and through the paper filter s needed.

 

[elpfeife]

For all you 9mm filter folks (and 6mm filter, too) I recommend the Savinelli balsa filters. The 9mm are fairly available and give a better smoke than the paper/charcoal versions. Just my opinion.

 

[lordnoble]

When I used the paper filters, I'd change after every smoke. Now I've switched to the Brigham Rock Maple filters which I clean under the faucet after a day's use. I leave them out to dry for two days afterward. If using in the plastic stems the cobs come with, there is no need to cut the filters down. If using in a Kaywoodie/Grabow, you'll have to trim it back to fit inside the stem. Hope this helps.
-Jason

 

[blueeyedogre]

I change out the filters in my 9mm pipes after every smoke and in my Brighams I wipe down the filter and run a pipe cleaner through it after every smoke until it turns a brownish color then change it out.