Is It Really Necessary To Rotate Pipes? My Opinion!

[PApiper63]

I've always thought that the need to "rest" a pipe for 24 hours before you smoke it again evolved so that pipe makers would sell more pipes. I started to smoke a pipe in the 70s when I was in college and smoked the same pipe multiple times a day for a couple of years. I always cleaned it with a pipe cleaner and usually swabbed out the bowl with a paper towel. I still have that pipe and smoke it from time to time.

This past weekend, I went on a camping trip with some buddies for four days. I packed food, beer, some whiskey and a couple of changes of clothes. Of course, I also brought some cigars, pipe, tobacco, and my pipe bag with all of the accessories. But, I forgot my pipes, leaving them setting on my desk at home. I had one briar pipe in my bag and an old cob in my truck. I debated having my wife meet me halfway with my pipes, but decided to chance it and smoke the briar pipe the whole four days. During those four days, I smoked well over 30 bowls. I ran a paper towel through the bowl after each smoke, and of course, cleaned it with a pipe cleaner. But, at the end of the four days, I noticed no difference in the performance of this old pipe. When I am home, I generally will rotate pipes because I have a large collection and like the variety even though it's not unusual for me to smoke one pipe for a day. It was a reminder to me that this hobby can still be relatively inexpensive. I'm sure there are people on this forum that will disagree with me, but that has been my experience. Here is a picture of the pipe that I ran through its paces. I gave it a good cleaning when I got home, but it is no worse for the wear.

 

[Briarcutter]

I know many people live by the rotation and rest theory, I don't. I smoke them back to back many times,sometimes same pipe all day. I never wipe the chamber out and use pipe cleaners PRN. They always taste good.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've smoked the same pipe repeatedly in the course of a day, and for weeks at a shot with no ill effects.

That said, not all briar tolerates use in the same way. SOMETHING is causing those shank splits that get fixed with those nice sterling and gold bands. And, I had a much loved and well cared for Sasieni Mayfair develop a split mid shank, while being rested. Other than that Mayfair, I've not experienced any problems with my other pipes, and there are so many unknown variables that could account for all that shank splitting. Something is causing that loss of fit between the tenon and the mortise.

I have found that a nice long rest after a thorough cleaning, months to years out of rotation, has worked to revive a tired pipe that I'd over enjoyed.

 

[Sig]

I dont generally smoke back to back, but its 100% because I like variety. I have in the past smoked one pipe several times in a day with no issues.
I do often chain smoke a MM Diplomat while hanging out and BBQing with friends. Mainly due to laziness than anything else.

 

[ThermionicScott]

My practice is to sniff the bowl. If I've smoked an English or Burley or dark-fired blend fast and wet, it'll smell kinda rank and I know it won't taste quite as good if I immediately go for another round.

I have a feeling that slow, dry-ish smoking pays more dividends than we realize -- not only is the ongoing smoke tastier, but it seasons the pipe for future smokes to taste better, and helps keep the pipe fresher for the next smoke.

 

[wyfbane]

I dont generally smoke back to back, but its 100% because I like variety. I have in the past smoked one pipe several times in a day with no issues.
I do often chain smoke a MM Diplomat while hanging out and BBQing with friends. Mainly due to laziness than anything else.

Pretty much this. I torture my cobs and have yet to have one of them not perform. I have put briars through paces, too. No issues.

Just wipe them down after and go.

 

[Roach1]

I smoke my Jirsa 210 and Stanwell small Freehand several times a day without any problems,probably also has alot to do with laziness and convience of the pipes always being close at hand here on the table by my chair in the kitchen where we smoke. We don't smoke anywhere else in the house. I smoke most of my other pipes at least twice before rotating back into the cabinet.

 

[FLDRD]

I can't say what it is or that it's even "real", but I generally seem to prefer a pipe that's sat unused for several days, or even a couple of months sometimes. It "always" seems good and fresh as opposed to "mostly" when I've used one a few times in a row.
I have many pipes.
And I probably huff them way too hard.
But they're mine and I prefer to use them once, clean, rest, and choose another.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Hell, the only reason I rotate my pipes when smoking is because I have so damn many of them, and I hate to think I bought them for nothing.

 

[OzPiper]

The OP’s pic of his pipe and shoe is rather apt.
Ever smell a shoe that has been worn daily without a break ?

 

[Briarcutter]

The OP’s pic of his pipe and shoe is rather apt.
Ever smell a shoe that has been worn daily without a break ?

Apples and oranges my friend

 

[VDL_Piper]

It’s fine, I fill them and smoke them over and over, you can’t haul 5 pipes around with you when you work on a farm and you also learn how to clench your pipe and work for long periods without touching your pipe.

 

[Hutch Piper]

I let mine rest at least a day. Don’t know why - that’s just what I do. No issues smoking the same pipe after a day of rest.

 

[Briarcutter]

It’s fine, I fill them and smoke them over and over, you can’t haul 5 pipes around with you when you work on a farm and you also learn how to clench your pipe and work for long periods without touching your pipe.

We need some pictures of you and your farm

 

[VDL_Piper]

They’re on here, less now but my morning post was nearly always out and about. Here’s a couple for ya @Briarcutter

 

[Briarcutter]

They’re on here, less now but my morning post was nearly always out and about. Here’s a couple for ya @Briarcutter

Thank you. I just wondered what it looked like there in Australia. Nice hat! No wonder you're so busy with all that cattle.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

Can I smoke a briar pipe multiple times a day, day after day, without problems? Yes. I do it when traveling. Does it go sour? Not in my experience. But if I let the pipe rest 24 hours between smokes, preferably 48, the smoke does taste better. And for me this goes double for cobs, which really absorb moisture. I do clean the pipe well after each smoke, but for me there is no substitute for resting .

 

[BigR]

I smoke mostly cheap pipes. Dr Grabows and cobs, so I don't worry much about them resting. That's one of the reasons that I love cheap pipes. Just swab out with a paper towel and change a filter. Now, if I had expensive pipes, they would probably get special treatment. I'll be camping in a couple weekends, and will haul a cob with me. I love this time of year.

 

[PApiper63]

The OP’s pic of his pipe and shoe is rather apt.
Ever smell a shoe that has been worn daily without a break ?

Haha. True. I've had these boots for 15 years and it shows.

 

[instymp]

I rotate mine.
I pull two pipes out on Sundays and load both up & smoke one then the other, all day.
Until next Sunday & pull two different pipes out & repeat.
Pipe cleaners when needed.