I have bottles of 70% and 99% isopropyl alcohol can I use either to clean? I would prefer not to use drinking alcohols.
Is There a Difference Between Using 70% and 99% Alcohol to Clean Briar Pipes?
- Thread starter tzinc
- Start date
Don’t put anything in your pipe that you couldn’t consume. Buy a bottle of Everclear.
As many have said, nothing can permeate briar, so anything should be fine. Jokes here.
Personally, I have used 91% rubbing alcohol and 99% neutral grain alcohol and have found negligible difference in the result. I probably wouldn't use anything less than 75.5% (151 proof) but since the remainder is mostly water, with no worse additives than the chloramines we drink every day, you could go down to about 70% and still get sanitizing properties.
Personally, I have used 91% rubbing alcohol and 99% neutral grain alcohol and have found negligible difference in the result. I probably wouldn't use anything less than 75.5% (151 proof) but since the remainder is mostly water, with no worse additives than the chloramines we drink every day, you could go down to about 70% and still get sanitizing properties.
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Avoid denatured alcohol though. Thought I should put that out there.
SPC uses it on their estates.
Post in thread 'Estate Smell, What Is It?' Estate Smell, What Is It? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/estate-smell-what-is-it.39716/post-35344674
They may well do so. There are some who clean estate pipes with garlic too so who am I to judge.
I've used both and both work just fine.
Another good reason not to buy them.
This topic comes around every so often.
I personally only use vodka on pipes.
Be that as it is, here is a link to an article quoting a Microbiologist explaining why 70% is the more effective disinfectant.
Why 70 Percent Alcohol Disinfects Better Than 91
I personally only use vodka on pipes.
Be that as it is, here is a link to an article quoting a Microbiologist explaining why 70% is the more effective disinfectant.
Why 70 Percent Alcohol Disinfects Better Than 91
I've only ever used a clear apricot brandy - does a great job and leaves a nice aroma which goes off with the 1st smoke. I've not noted it affecting the taste of any of the blends I've smoked.
Isopropyl Alcohol is flavorless and the second most common way to clean human skin after soap and water, and you think it's not good for your pipe?
As mentioned 70% is going to kill more microbes, but if you just want to get the tar out of the shank then 99% will work better as a thinner.
I've been just using whisky or rum to clean draft holes (can't get Everclear around here) once or twice a year. Don't know if it's right or wrong?
As a biochemist, 70% is far better as aI disinfectant, as it disrupts cell walls and makes bacteria pop, 99% simply dehydrates them.