How often should a pipe be cleaned?

[mjzerby]

I know I should run a pipe cleaner through the stem after every use, but how often should I take the pipe apart and clean it?
Also, how should I do this?

 

[psychpipes]

Well, I think this may be a bit subjective, but I can tell you what I do. I usually thoroughly clean mine every 2-3 weeks. I do a very light reaming with a Czech tool. Then I ream it with a paper towel to get any excess. I then take a bristle pipe cleaner, dip in some Jack Daniels, and run it through the bowl, shank and mouth piece. Next, I take a match and hold it over the bowl to ignite the left over Jack. Finally, I polish the mouthpiece if I think it needs it, and set the pipe to rest.

 

[mephistopheles]

I thoroughly clean my pipe after every two bowls. I find that it improves the flavor of the tobacco.

 

[phil67]

After every smoke I run a pipe cleaner through the stem followed by a good wipe out of the bowl with a rolled up paper towel or napkin. I try to avoid at all costs of ever using any type of reamer if at all possible (HATE the freaking things). If by chance I need to remove some built up cake I carefully use a small round ended knife. Other than that I'll give a thorough cleaning of the stem and shank with 150 proof grain alcohol and a shank brush every 3 weeks or so.

 

[warren]

I clean smoking pipes every Sunday evening.

 

[mcitinner1]

I usually use filters and never go past two bowls without doing the pipe cleaner thing, and I don't seem to need to do ANYTHING else. 8)

 

[brass]

I run a cleaner through them after each smoke. I used to clean all my rotation at least monthly.

But some pipes require more frequent cleaning than others, thus - obviously - some less. Now, I deep clean them only when they start to bite a little when smoking and running a cleaner through them doesn't fix it.
I'm not sure why but my cobs have never needed anything more than passing a cleaner through them after smoking. My briars need more attention. In the past, I used 90% Isopropyl alcohol but it left behind an unpalatable flavor. Burned off after a couple of smokes but I didn't like it. Now, I use a Bourbon or Scotch for the cleaning agent. Still leaves behind a temporary taste but one I find much more pleasant.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I throw them in the dishwasher at the end of the day and then let them hang on the line over night. I find that if I use the auto dry, they shrink :wink:

 

[sablebrush52]

This is one of those topics that has been covered about a zillion times. With 30 seconds and a simple search:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-do-you-clean-your-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/general-pipe-section/routine-tobacco-pipe-cleaning-with-videos/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-an-estate-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-you-clean-your-pipe-after-smoking
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-and-what-alcohol-to-use
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/bowl-rim-residue-after-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-to-clean-charring-around-rim-of-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaned-with-whiskey
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/alcohol-cleaning-salt-vs-cotton-ball
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/question-from-a-new-member-cleaning-pipe-stem
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/suitable-solvents-for-pipe-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/tag/how-to-clean-your-pipe/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/using-isopropyl-alcohol-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-with-high-proof-spirits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YRyamTLLYo
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/rubbing-alcohol-to-clean-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/shank-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/meer-cleaning-questions
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-a-calabash
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/break-to-clean-or-not
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-with-wine
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/exterior-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/advanced-cleaning-question
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-a-pipe-too-often-1
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-do-you-alcohol-clean
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-a-briar-pipe-when-and-how
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/stem-removal
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/alcohol-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/stinger-cleaning-1
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/alcohol-claening-question
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-a-meerschaum
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/when-to-sweeten
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaners-scratching-amp-other-silly-cleaning-questions
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/peterson-pipe-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaned-and-sterilized-right
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/when-to-change-corncob-pipe

 

[drwatson]

I never clean mine. When they are dirty just throw out and buy a new one.

 

[nurseman]

When the dot on the Dunhill pops up it is ready to be cleaned .
Seriously , Personal choice - I do mine on a schedule
And welcome to the forum ,

 

[phil67]

Just a follow up question for sable; just exactly how often should a pipe be cleaned? :lol:
Damn... you did quite a bit of work there! I hope you saved it in MS word for future use as this question is all too sure to pop up repeatedly.

 

[zekest]

Your supposed to clean the pipe too???
Mine came with no instructions and no warning labels.

 

[zekest]

At least tobacco smoking pipes give a visual indication which end to fill with tobacco, and which end to suck on.
Far too many people shoot themselves every year, because until they fire the gun, they don't know which end is the loud one.

 

[darthcider]

Sable's post should be refined and sent to every new piper as an introduction.

Excellent post and use of the search feature, sir.

 

[desertpipe]

I clean my pipes whenever they need it, same as my socks.

 

[foggymountain]

I use about 3 pipecleaners during each smoke. Other than that I never clean the pipes unless they start to taste foul. I have some pipes that have never had the stem removed except to remove the Dunhill inner tube.

 

[freakiefrog]

Couldn't help myself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxxNvfVfDB0

 

[daimyo]

I clean my pipe once a decade, whether it needs it or not.