Is There a Right Way Up in a Pipe Rack?

[Franco Pipenbeans]

A friend has very kindly made me a pipe rack that sits the pipes bowl up and stem down. I’m guessing some people will say “Same as mine” and others will say “You heathen; how dare you!” but does it really matter if the bowls are below the stem or if the stem is below the bowl?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I doubt there's an appreciable difference. People have stored them both ways for years. My only concerns might be wear to the finish, depending on the contact point(s), how much movement might occur, and gravity/stability, etc.

 

[MacMarty89]

As long as you (clean and) air-dry your pipes after a smoking session has ended, I don’t think it really matters how you store them.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

As long as you (clean and) air-dry your pipes after a smoking session has ended, I don’t think it really matters how you store them.

I must confess, I don’t normally clean them until Sunday and then I give them a good going over, whether they’ve been smoked or not that week.

 

[mso489]

I don't think it matters. I guess if I have my choice, I store them stem up, so any drainage of moisture or settling of ash would go toward the bowl, not the bit. But I think all of that is imaginary and doesn't matter, in fact.

 

[Donb1972]

I store some of my pipes on my Grandfather's rack, which has little indentations on the bottom which are clearly for the bowls. So on that it's stem up. On my homemade rack, I store them stem down. I haven't noticed any difference.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

I store some of my pipes on my Grandfather's rack, which has little indentations on the bottom which are clearly for the bowls. So on that it's stem up. On my homemade rack, I store them stem down. I haven't noticed any difference.

That’s good to know. Do you find that one or the other way of storing them adds to the gurgle when you’re smoking the pipes?

 

[anotherbob]

Yes there is and it has nothing to do with basic physical characteristics. If you put them stem up bowl/chamber down. It gives a place for imps to live and not only do they make little imp fires which ruins cake, it also gives them a place to settle down and start a family. And you don't want imps. So stem down!!!

 

[Donb1972]

That’s good to know. Do you find that one or the other way of storing them adds to the gurgle when you’re smoking the pipes?

I never noticed a difference in that regard, no. I did get gurgle quite a bit when I first started out. Then I let the tobacco dry out a little, but I still got gurgle. THEN I realised that I was blowing into the pipe before I sucked out. When I stopped doing that, it ended my gurgle issue.

 

[Dragonmaster]

I have pipe racks and pipe holders that are in either direction. I believe that the difference is strictly in Esthetics, and cosmetics. If it feels right, or looks correct in your opinion, go for it.

 

[Donb1972]

Yes there is and it has nothing to do with basic physical characteristics. If you put them stem up bowl/chamber down. It gives a place for imps to live and not only do they make little imp fires which ruins cake, it also gives them a place to settle down and start a family. And you don't want imps. So stem down!!!

So that's why I hear screams when I light up!

 

[anotherbob]

So that's why I hear screams when I light up!

no that's just because your neighborhood is part of MKultra part 2. Not supposed to tell you, but like it will make a difference.

 

[reloader]

I've got racks that store the pipes both ways. I've never noticed any difference as long as I keep my pipes fairly clean. I think its just a matter of preference.

 

[cigrmaster]

All of my pipe racks have the bowl at the bottom and the stem up top. My first rack I ever bought was a Savinelli 36 count Burlwood with three holes on each side to let it breath. The glass doors are also tinted keeping the light out. I have had it for over 20 years and I was lucky to get it as they were discontinued not long after I got mine.

 

[jpmcwjr]

That’s good to know. Do you find that one or the other way of storing them adds to the gurgle when you’re smoking the pipes?

No, and no to your first question. That assumes there's not free moisture sitting anywhere.

 

[TheWhale13]

I keep all of my pipes in a shoe box, I don't know why there would be any difference at all in how you store your pipes as long as they are well enough ventilated and somewhat cleaned.

 

[mso489]

Right, keep your pipes and their racks out of direct sun which will oxidize the Vulcanite stems and may discolor the finishes slightly too. I don't think ambient light in a room, even if some of it is daylight from the window, will do any harm, just no direct sun.

 

[bullet08]

People worry too much. This is not the Japanese ritual suicide.

 

[Eastmon]

Doesn’t matter as long as they dry out

 

[anotherbob]

Right, keep your pipes and their racks out of direct sun which will oxidize the Vulcanite stems and may discolor the finishes slightly too. I don't think ambient light in a room, even if some of it is daylight from the window, will do any harm, just no direct sun.

ever see a pipe that's been sitting in a rack for decades without being moved? Like that half and half pipes from certain brick and mortar windows.