Letting your pipe rest

[storm]

From what I understand about pipe care and cleaning (which isn't a whole lot, but I've been picking up information here in the forum and Bob's video is very helpful) it is recommended that you clean your pipe after each bowl and then let it rest for a day or two before using it again. But what if you want to smoke again, say after two or three hours? Would you continue to use the same pipe? Or go to the next one in the rotation? This might not be an issue if you have a large stable of pipes, but what if you only have a few (like me)?

 

[bubbadreier]

From what I have heard from some old-timers and from reading around on the internet, if you smoke 1 bowl in a pipe let it rest 1 day, 2 bowls and rest 2 days, 3 for 3, 4 for 4.... you get the picture. So if I understand correctly, you can smoke a pipe more than once a day just let it cool before you smoke another one. But of course I could be way wrong!

 

[kcvet67]

If you ask a dozen different smokers you'll get at least 13 different answers. I very often smoke the same pipe more than once a day.
When I finish a bowl, after knocking out the ash and any dottle, I blow hard through the stem. This removes any loose tobacco from the stem and shank. It also blows any accumulated moisture into the bowl which should still be hot enough to help it evaporate quicker.
Run a pipe cleaner down the stem, but don't remove the stem until the pipe has cooled. I prefer to remove the pipe cleaner right away, others like to leave it in the stem. Honestly, I really don't think it matters that much which way you choose. There are plenty of other good posts here on how to clean a pipe once it's cooled.
The purpose in allowing a pipe to rest is to allow the accumulated tar and moisture a chance to evaporate. Most of this occurs in the first 24 hours, so if you only have a few pipes try to give each one at least a full day before smoking it again.
There's no reason to rush into building your rotation of pipes, take the time to find pipes that you really like. Not all expensive pipes are great smokes. Not all moderately priced pipes are inferior. The most important thing to remember is that YOU are the one who's going to be smoking the pipe. Don't buy it to impress me or anyone else, buy it because it suits you. It's a fun process, I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.

 

[igloo]

After every pipe I run a pipe cleaner in the stem .Gently clean the bowl with Czech spoon and then brush it out with a the same pipe cleaner shaped like a horse shoe . As long as the same blend is being smoked I feel no need to let the pipe rest . Sometimes I will smoke the same pipe three times in one evening . There are seven pipes on my side table by my chair , the same as the number of blends . When I change out a blend the pipe gets a proper cleaning and then a nice nap . New blend clean pipe to match . If the table gets cleaned so do the pipes . To reseal a tin for storage . Clean a cast iron skillet then put on the stove to dry the water residue , place the tin lid face down . When the the water residue is gone the rubber has softened and resealed the tin . Opinions may vary .

 

[pstlpkr]

I smoke mine sometimes several times in a day for up to a week... sometimes more. Usually I will run a pipe cleaner down the stem just to prevent any accumulation in the stem. I keep no more than four pipes on my pipe table by my chair, and I will swap them out for others periodically.

When I do let them rest it is usually for at least a week. I do that for no scientific reason. But, after a week or so of repeated usage the quality of the overall smoke seems to diminish, so I'll put it on the shelf and let it rest until I'm ready to use it again.

I just give them a little vacation. It seems to work miracles.

 

[hauntedmyst]

bubba,
just smoke the pipe as much as you want to during the day then run it through the dishwasher to refresh it for tomorrows smokes. they will come out clean and fresh with a hint of lemon added to each smoke@

 

[bubbadreier]

Make sure you use the heated dry when you put it in the dishwasher!

 

[unclearthur]

I am not sure how many pipes I have right now. But I grab a different one each day for that day's use. Gives the others a LOOOOOOOOOOONG rest between.

 

[bubbadreier]

Sometimes I just want to have a number of pipes each member owns! I used to think my 14 (now 16) pipes was a pretty big collection... Now I realize I am a small timer
PAD strikes again!!!

 

[unclearthur]

Right now ( until I sell off the culls ) I think I top 200. I would have to count to be sure.

 

[cortezattic]

About 20, but I recently sold off about a half dozen or so artisan/collectible types.

Now, don't ask about tobacco... I feel like I have some of everything! LOL

 

[maineyachtie]

If your pipe collection is small and your pipes aren't getting the rest they need, buy a few corn cobs. They're cheap, they smoke without gurgle and the best part is you'll enjoy your briar pipes more when they're really fresh.
Personally, I tend not to smoke a briar more than twice in one day followed by at least 24 hours rest. 48 hours is better.

 

[cortezattic]

the best part is you'll enjoy your briar pipes more when they're really fresh.

Right-on Maineyachtie. Not only because the briars will be well rested, but you'll enjoy them more in contrast to the crap-taste of the cobs. LOL (Oops! there I go pissin' people off again. No, really. If the cob works for you then it's a good thing.)

 

[maineyachtie]

Right-on Maineyachtie. Not only because the briars will be well rested, but you'll enjoy them more in contrast to the crap-taste of the cobs. LOL (Oops! there I go pissin' people off again. No, really. If the cob works for you then it's a good thing.)

I think it is more likely that you'll experience a "crap-taste" in a sour or unrested briar than in a cob. Often in the first few smokes of a cob I can actually taste the corn, but I kind of enjoy that.
Help me out on this one guys.
Edit: Pstlpkr (a little help with the quote function)

 

[pstlpkr]

Often in the first few smokes of a cob I can actually taste the corn, but I kind of enjoy that.

I have to second that "corn" taste Mr. Yachtie, but I don't enjoy it. However, I have recently acquired a MM cob Churchwarden, and I did not notice that particular aspect to my new pipe. My old MM is twenty-odd years old and still tastes like a corn cob. I suppose you win some, and you lose some.

 

[cortezattic]

Ya, I'd definitely prefer a clean cob to a sour briar, but that's not exactly what I said

...or meant to anyway.

 

[surfmac211]

Ya, I'd definitely prefer a clean cob to a sour briar, but that's not exactly what I said

...or meant to anyway.

LOL people changing your words around? LOL

 

[cortezattic]

Surf,

Don't tell the other guys, but I get a sinister delight pissin' off cob-ites; even though I own three ass-wipes myself.

 

[pstlpkr]

Ain't botherin' me. I never cared for cobs very much.

But, I have to admit, my new MM Cob CW is "very not bad", but is now being rested.

 

[bubbadreier]

Hey Lawrence, I want to see a picture of this CW cob I keep hearing about!