In Praise Of Water Rinsing a Briar Pipe

[cosmicfolklore]

Because it removes stain and damages many pipes’ exterior. Same way water doesn’t penetrate the wood, neither does the stain so it’s often readily removed by some water.

You are talking about Petersons, right? When I got my Rua, I was going to rinse it out before smoking it, like I've done over 100 other pipes I've bought, with not a single problem. But, one good and one bad thing happened. The good was that the bowl coating just whisked away easily. The bad was that my hands turned red from whatever stain Peterson uses. That was the first ever time this happened.

It totally lost that beautiful contrast of red and black, but.... phhhhht, so what., I just buffed it up with carnauba wax, and ran water over it again, no problem. It's just red now. Cheap pipes... what would I expect. I understand that Bringham pipes uses a cheap stain also.

 

[cigrmaster]

All you water sports guys are ruining some fresh hard cake and the pipe gods are watching. When your pipe disintegrates into a sloppy mess, don't say I didn't warn you. Bunch a freaking Nancy Boys playing with warm water. There is a name for that but I can't remember.

 

[BROBS]

You are talking about Petersons, right? When I got my Rua, I was going to rinse it out before smoking it, like I've done over 100 other pipes I've bought, with not a single problem. But, one good and one bad thing happened. The good was that the bowl coating just whisked away easily. The bad was that my hands turned red from whatever stain Peterson uses. That was the first ever time this happened.

It totally lost that beautiful contrast of red and black, but.... phhhhht, so what., I just buffed it up with carnauba wax, and ran water over it again, no problem. It's just red now. Cheap pipes... what would I expect. I understand that Bringham pipes uses a cheap stain also.

It’s not just Peterson’s. Many pipes are like this. Stanwell, Ser Jacopo, butz Choquin and many other handmades… Peterson…. Many many more.

 

[BROBS]

I guess it depends on the nature of the stain and manner used by the manufacturer. While I try to keep the water flow controlled such that it merely fills the chamber to the rim while pouring out the end of the shank and not spilling over the finish, occasionally some does spill over the exterior. So far, none of my Britwood has been affected by contact, nor any of the artisan pipes I own.

It’s usually smooths with red stain that seem to be affected the most.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It’s not just Peterson’s. Many pipes are like this. Stanwell, Ser Jacopo, butz Choquin and many other handmades… Peterson…. Many many more.

Nope, I have rinsed BCs, Stanwells, and Ser Jacopo's with no problems. Well, I haven't rinsed one of the new Stannies, since they quit making pipes and had some Italians start making them for them.

 

[BROBS]

Nope, I have rinsed BCs, Stanwells, and Ser Jacopo's with no problems. Well, I haven't rinsed one of the new Stannies, since they quit making pipes and had some Italians start making them for them.

I wiped a stanwell Danish made pipe with a wet paper towel and the stain continually came off. I think it’s just random and you have been lucky.

 

[monty55]

I will give it a try. Will veg. oil do the same thing as mineral oil?

veg oil will go rancid, as well as olive oil. Mineral oil will not, as it is a distillate of petroleum.

 

[BROBS]

Also you may be removing all the loose stain right away then not noticing any come off after that.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I wiped a stanwell Danish made pipe with a wet paper towel and the stain continually came off. I think it’s just random and you have been lucky.

Really, after ten years, a pipe still had stain coming off of it?
No, the Peterson was my first pipe to have any stain come off on my fingers, and I have well over 100 pipes. I hate to be adamant, but I my experiences just don't line up with what you are saying. Red is one of my favorite pipe colors.
If you don't rinse your pipes, then... nevermind. Ha ha... I rinse my pipes and have for several years now, with no problems till the one Pete... I knew better than to rinse the Regaire until after I had a chance to buff it with carnauba wax, and I was happy to see the bowl coating just wash out of it as well.

If someone doesn't want to rinse, fine. I'm not about to start evangelizing this process, ha ha.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I guess it depends on the nature of the stain and manner used by the manufacturer. While I try to keep the water flow controlled such that it merely fills the chamber to the rim while pouring out the end of the shank and not spilling over the finish, occasionally some does spill over the exterior. So far, none of my Britwood has been affected by contact, nor any of the artisan pipes I own.

Same here, I haven't had a problem with the stain coming off. If strain is going to dissolve in water, I would think it would also dissolve over time from the natural contact it has from being smoked.

 

[mingc]

Really, after ten years, a pipe still had stain coming off of it?

Yes. Unlike some folks, I'm not in the habit of licking my stummels. Bits yes, stummels no. There, now you know.

I still give my stummels water baths once in a while. I even scrub the inside of the bowls with a toothbrush.

 

[renfield]

Warm water will definitely reveal or cause oxidation on vulcanite. I learned this the hard way when rinsing the stems of pipes over the last few years. Barely warm can be enough. Some brands seem more robust than others. It may be a matter of age.

Think about where a stem oxidizes first, near the bit where it touches your lips and is exposed to your saliva.

As far as sensible rinsing damaging the cake we’ll see. I can always make more.

 

[krizzose]

For whatever my $.02 are trading at at the forum exchange currently, I’ve been water rinsing for more than 3 years now. I do it after each smoke, with hot tap water and zero concern if water gets on the outside of the stummel. I give the shank a few scrubs with a shank brush, then wash the gunk off the brush with a little dish soap. I meticulously dry the stummel by shaking it exactly 3 times. I’ve never had any issue at all with any finish - smooth, rusticated or sandblasted. Most of my stems are acrylic, and I water rinse them and run a cleaner through. Sometimes I dunk them in soapy water and scrub the inside with a bristle cleaner; it’s acrylic, the soap rinses off completely.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Same here, I haven't had a problem with the stain coming off. If strain is going to dissolve in water, I would think it would also dissolve over time from the natural contact it has from being smoked.

^^^^ This ^^^^​

 

[sablebrush52]

All you water sports guys are ruining some fresh hard cake and the pipe gods are watching. When your pipe disintegrates into a sloppy mess, don't say I didn't warn you. Bunch a freaking Nancy Boys playing with warm water. There is a name for that but I can't remember.

Reminds me of summer camp, when I would sneak out of the tent at night, fill a bucket with warm water, and slip some schnook's hand into it. Makes them wet their sleeping bag. Works like a charm. Boy, was I a little bastard back then!

 

[sablebrush52]

Warm water will definitely reveal or cause oxidation on vulcanite. I learned this the hard way when rinsing the stems of pipes over the last few years. Barely warm can be enough. Some brands seem more robust than others. It may be a matter of age.

Think about where a stem oxidizes first, near the bit where it touches your lips and is exposed to your saliva.

As far as sensible rinsing damaging the cake we’ll see. I can always make more.

Water rinsing can remove soft cake, but so far, it hasn't affected the thin hard carbon build up.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Reminds me of summer camp, when I would sneak out of the tent at night, fill a bucket with warm water, and slip some schnook's hand into it. Makes them wet their sleeping bag. Works like a charm. Boy, was I a little bastard back then!

Just then?

 

[sablebrush52]

Warm water will definitely reveal or cause oxidation on vulcanite. I learned this the hard way when rinsing the stems of pipes over the last few years. Barely warm can be enough. Some brands seem more robust than others. It may be a matter of age.

Think about where a stem oxidizes first, near the bit where it touches your lips and is exposed to your saliva.

As far as sensible rinsing damaging the cake we’ll see. I can always make more.

It also depends on the quality of Vulcanite used by the manufacturer. Sasieni and Charatan used a lower grade, higher sulfur content Vulcanite. Barling, Comoy, and I believe Dunhill, used higher grade lower sulfur content German rod stock.

 

[sablebrush52]

Just then?

Welllll...

 

[OzPiper]

I have to say that I've noticed that this time around there has been much more good natured banter and appreciably less vitriol than in previous threads on this subject.

Could it be that more are coming around to the view that water rinsing is beneficial ? ?