Is it OK to clean stems with alcohol?

[jmui]

Is it ok to clean the outside of stems (both acrylic and ebonite) with alcohol? Or is it damaging?

 

[smoothsailing]

The only time I clean the surface of a stem with alcohol is when the stem is going to be restored,other wise alcohol can oxidize the stem .I take great care in cleaning the interior of a stem with alcohol that I'm not restoring not to get it on the outside.

 

[jmui]

But how about acrylic stems? Is it ok then?

 

[smoothsailing]

I believe it could cause a hazy look and even cause cracking if left on too long .

 

[jmui]

Ok. Thank you!

 

[smoothsailing]

Are you restoring estates or maintaining your own P&C sells pipe stem cleaner and protective!

 

[jmui]

No. I am in the process of removing all my softy bits from my stems and the mouthpieces on some of them are a little gross. So I thought I would wet a rag with a bit of everclear to remove any crud. Not really deep cleaning.

 

[seacaptain]

When I got all my new pipes, the first thing I did was wipe the stems down with alcohol and rinse them with water.

 

[darwin]

I use Softys exclusively but always remove them after smoking and give the stem a swipe with a cloth. Bit of a hassle but I never have any problems with stem discoloration.

 

[phil67]

But how about acrylic stems? Is it ok then?

I've been using 151 proof grain alcohol on acrylic stems for years with with no issues whatsoever. However, I'm simply wiping it on and then off around the area of of the mouth piece as a disinfectant when I remove a softy bit and also on the softy bit itself before I place it back on.

 

[jmui]

Yes, that is what I am doing also. Seems like it should be ok. I am not saturating the stem in the alcohol.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I always clean out the inside and outside of my stems with alcohol after every smoke. I guess I'll cut back to every other smoke if it's that damaging or maybe just use hot water. I don't like the taste of a stem I had in my mouth in the next smoke, so I definitely have to clean it each time with something. For my ebonite stems, I use alcohol and olive oil.

 

[tarak]

I have not had any issues with using high proof alcohol on stems of either kind.

 

[ejames]

I wipe off my stems frequently with 91% ISO. and don't see any problems with it. It will, as does water, make any oxidation on the stem show up--it's easier to see if the stem is wet, which is one reason I like to wet sand stems when refurbing them.

I guess I'll cut back to every other smoke if it's that damaging or maybe just use hot water. I

I've found that the quickest way to make a rubber stem oxidize is to place it in hot water-close to boiling temp. I'd just use luke warm water--and a little soap won't hurt. Washing with hot water may speed up oxidation.

 

[tarak]

If you're that concerned about oxidation, consider picking up a bottle of Obsidian Stem Oil from any of our online retailers. Also, a Dunhill pipe wipe might not be a bad idea.