Is This Cake or Just Crud?

[Goofeyfoot]

Do you guys use a reamer, or just the water and paper towel technique?

 

[Briarcutter]

I use a British Buttner or a pocket knife. Never water.

 

[Briar Lee]

Do you guys use a reamer, or just the water and paper towel technique?

If the pipe has cake, use a sharp pocket knife or reamer to scrape off 100% of the cake.

You could use water, but I use 190 proof Everclear and a twisted paper towel to keto Just a razor thin whisper of carbon in the bowl.

I’m convinced the manufacturers all advised cake the thickness of a dime to protect against burn out when men smoked pipes all day outside.

Cake does protect against burn out, and also stops the transfer of briar flavors to the smoke.

 

[didimauw]

If the pipe has cake, use a sharp pocket knife or reamer to scrape off 100% of the cake.

You could use water, but I use 190 proof Everclear and a twisted paper towel to keto Just a razor thin whisper of carbon in the bowl.

I’m convinced the manufacturers all advised cake the thickness of a dime to protect against burn out when men smoked pipes all day outside.

Cake does protect against burn out, and also stops the transfer of briar flavors to the smoke.

I have gouge more chambers than I care to admit using a sharp knife style reamer. Gotta be gentle.

 

[bobpnm]

I like to clean out my bowls with a twisted paper towel after every smoke. A bristle pipe cleaner through. works To my liking.

 

[Briar Lee]

I have gouge more chambers than I care to admit using a sharp knife style reamer. Gotta be gentle.

Using a pocket knife freehand to ream a chamber is an aquired skill, sort of like shaving.

But all bladed purpose built pipe reamers have all the conscience of a mean bull or a sow having pigs. One slip and it’s over.

 

[Searock Fan]

If you use a knife be careful or you won't be able to sit down for a month.

 

[skydog]

I don't build cake in my pipes for the sake of having thick cake or to improve the smoke. Cake builds because I don't wipe them down after every smoke and only clean them when I deem it necessary. Sometimes that is when the cake has gotten so thick that the tamper won't fit in the chamber anymore. Clean it with rounded tip blade and it's as good as new. Sometimes I'll clean the carbon/lava buildup on the rims at the same time, sometimes I just leave it since it'll just form again as I smoke more.

I do try to wipe out my meers more often but they don't get smoked nearly as much as my briars anyways so it's easier to stay on top of ensuring cake doesn't build up too thick in a meer for me.

 

[Jef]

I have always kept a thin layer of cake in my pipes. I feel that it helps protect the briar from heat. It is nothing to shave it back when necessary. As mentioned in an earlier post, SLOW is good!

 

[irishearl]

Of course I use a pipe cleaner and wipe out the bowl with a paper towel after every smoke, which reduces the frequency of reaming. However, if I see cake building up more than a couple of mm's, I'll ream. I typically use a senior pipe reamer but occasionally a Butner depending on the geometry of the bowl.

 

[seanv]

Do you guys use a reamer, or just the water and paper towel technique?

Is your name a reference to skateboarding?
I use paper towel and a bristled pipe cleaner to clean my chamber. I will hot water flush at non regular intervals when I feel the pipe needs a refresh. I never use bristled cleaners in a stem, I always use soft cleaners there.