Keeping the Bowl Sweet / Avoiding Bad Tastes???

[bowler1]

Hi,

I am re-posting this as I think I posted it in the wrong forum section....
I occasionally get a really bad and bitter taste from my pipe. People have told me that one good way to prevent this is to ensure that I let my pipe rest adequately between smokes.
What are some other things I can do to prevent this?
I always clean the pipe with a pipe cleaner after smoking. What kind of care do you recommend for the bowl? Is it a good idea to wipe off the gummy sludge or does that help to build the cake? How often should you wipe the bowl down with alchohol?
What other things can I do to take care of my pipe to make sure it provides a good sweet smoke?
Thanks

Matt

 

[timely]

I agree with everything samcoffeeman has posted.

Keeping your pipe clean should become your routine after every bowl smoked.

Just don't go overboard, you will need some bowl coating.

 

[cigrmaster]

One pipe cleaner after you are done smoking a bowl is no where near enough to get the job done right.
Here is what I do. I break the pipe down first. I take 1 or 2 pipe cleaners depending on bowl size, double it and then wipe it around the inside of the bowl removing any ash or left over tobacco. I then take a bristle pipe cleaner and double that and put it the shank, turn it around a few times then brush it back and forth a few times. I then take another bristle and do the same, and keep doing it until it comes out clean. I then take depending on the pipe stem, one or two bristle cleaners and run them through the stem, I then take one or two fluffy cleaners and run those through the stem. I will do a deep cleaning with Everclear every 8-12 bowls or so using shank brush and polishing cloth.
Keeping your pipes clean will guarantee that your tobacco will always taste as it should, in my opinion there is nothing worse than wasting good tobacco because I was too lazy to keep my pipe clean. The pipe Gods will look upon you as a blasphemer if you do not keep your pipes clean, and they are watching. lol

 

[cigrmaster]

roth, I just got me one of those pipe knife tools with a tamper and pick. I was doing some deep cleanings today and used it to scrap the bowl and get some cake off, freaking thing worked great. Much easier and quicker than a reamer and I like the control of it. Thanks for the suggestion, only took me a year of listening to you to finally get one.

:roll:

 

[cigrmaster]

I don't know why I waited so long to grab one, change comes slow for this pipe smoker I guess.

 

[sparrowhawk]

First, adequate rest for the pipe is essential, I've discovered. Beyond that, there is a product called "Clean & Cure" by Pipemaster (I believe it's available at SmokingPipes.com) that is supposed to clean, sweeten, and sanitize the bowl. I've tried it once, but my palate is not developed enough to determine its efficacy. Perhaps others here can vouch for it, pro or con?

 

[cigrmaster]

I am with roth on the use of any pipe sweeteners, never use them. In my opinion, Everclear works best and leaves no residual after taste. If I could not get Everclear in my state, I would use Bacardi 151.

 

[allan]

I always enjoy reading these tips on pipe maintenance. It keeps it fresh in my mind and I fully agree, a clean pipe makes any tobacco thats your favoite taste great

 

[mikestanley]

For me, I run a cleaner through the pipe after a smoke. I try to smoke to the bottom of the bowl (smoking quality tobacco makes this easier). Store my pipe bowl down for a couple of days after two or three pipes and maybe once a year, clean the pipe with 91% iospropyl ( I think) and that's it. I also have a pipe retort for a deep cleaning, but it's rarely required. Although it's only a supposition from some 25 years of pipe smoking,nothing scientific, I think smoking a single type of tobacco in a given pipe helps too.
Mike S.

 

[mso489]

I have a regular cleaning regime every time I smoke a pipe, but I don't use any liquids. Rarely, when a pipe gets funky, I'll use

whatever higher proof I have hand, usually bourbon. This does the job in one application, or has so far. I'll let the pipe dry

out completely, several days. The smell is gone, and it's back to the rotation.

 

[foggymountain]

I try to break down each pipe and thoroughly clean it every few years or so. If you use pipecleaners during the smoke, that is all that is really needed, unless the pipe begins to taste regularly sour.

 

[voorhees]

I also use rum on the pipe cleaners when I finish a bowl. About 3 does it for me. I also do a little scraping with my pipe knife followed by a paper towel reaming.

 

[4dotsasieni]

In over fifty years of pipe smoking, I have never put alcohol or any other harsh chemical in my pipes, and I still shudder at the idea. After each smoke, I clean the bowl with a twisted paper towel, twice, using both ends of the paper, then, after the pipe cools, I remove the stem and clean it thoroughly, usually with two cleaners, each inserted from both ends, then one or two thicker cleaners run through the shank into the bowl, after which I double it and thoroughly clean the shank.
Using this method, I have never had to ream a pipe. It is also very important to let a smoked pipe rest for as long as possible before the next smoke. This is also an excellent motivator for feeding your PAD, in order to build as large a rotation as possible. ::

 

[cigrmaster]

4dot, Everclear is drinkable which is why I use it, I personally would never use anything I cannot drink. I believe that if you were to clean your shanks and stems with Everclear or Bacardi 151, you would notice a difference. I never put alcohol in my bowls just the stem and shank. Give it a shot, you certainly have nothing to lose and the gains could be immeasurable, you might think you are smoking a brand new pipe, it could change your life and will put you on the path to pipe smoking Nirvana. lol
I think for a pipe to perform at it's optimum level, regular deep cleanings is a necessity. I honestly could not imagine smoking a pipe more than 12 or so times without one and never doing it would be abhorrent to me. As fastidious as I am with cleaning after each bowl, it never ceases to amaze me at how much crap builds up after a dozen bowls.

 

[4dotsasieni]

OK, Harris -- you make a convincing case, so I'll tell ya what I'll do: I've got an old (and I mean REALLY old) GBD sitting in my rack that I haven't smoked in ages, and it could probably use a good cleaning, if not a restoration. So I'll buy some Bacardi 151 (not sure if Everclear is sold in Washington) and give it a try. As you say, I can always drink the stuff, although that may be a bit hard on my frail old body. If I (and the pipe) survive, I'll report back. Keep your fingers crossed. :roll: