Maple Syrup Coating for MM Pipe Chamber

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shermnatman

Lifer
Jan 25, 2019
1,030
4,862
Philadelphia Suburbs, Pennsylvania
I picked up a new MM for my collection on Friday while hanging-out at The TinderBox and observing some Backgammon play. A great many years ago I recall hearing about Old Codgers putting a thin coating of honey inside the chambers of their pipes to break them in smoothly. I have never done this with any of my briars, but way back when I got my first MM, I recalled the "honey trick", and decided to try it out on an inexpensive cob. When I went to the cupboard, we had no honey; but, we did have some Vermont maple syrup - so I used that as a substitute (and experiment). This worked out great.
Regarding the new MM I purchased on Friday, I did they same "trick" with the maple syrup again - just putting a thin coating all around the inner-walls and the bottom of the chamber of the bowl with my finger. I let the pipe sit to dry over Saturday, and fired it up this Sunday morning with a bowl full of good ol' 5 Brothers tabak, and kick-started the new pipe into action.
Absolutely delightful; and smoked like an old friend right off the bat.
So, I am sharing this variation on the old "honey trick", by using the maple syrup here; for those who might be interested in trying it the next time they buy a new cob.
Enjoy - Sherm Natman

 
Jan 8, 2013
7,493
733
I read through the whole post, but all I'm seeing is....
light-fluffy-buttermilk-pancakes-recipe-1.jpg


 

tulsagentleman

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 7, 2019
206
39
I always coat the bowl of any new pipe with Honey before the first smoke. The sugar carmelizes and helps to start a cake in the bowl. Also keeps the first few smokes of a new cob from tasting like corn. I expect any syrup would work as well. It's the sugar that makes it work.

 

trouttimes

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
5,169
21,491
Lake Martin, AL
I have coated with honey, let it set overnite then fill with ash for the day. This tends to coat the inside well. Don't know wher I learned it but I have done it for years.

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,348
Some bowl coating recipes I've heard of include a thin layer of maple followed by adding charcoal powder, shaking, and leaving for a week before smoking.

 

odobenus

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 15, 2018
728
2,567
Vermont
Neat idea, thanks. I guess I'm in the right place for this method. Oh, and it's time to tap our trees.

 
Sep 18, 2015
3,253
41,957
When I get ready to break in a new pipe, cob or briar, I load it up and smoke it, repeat as needed. Hasn’t caused a problem yet. If coating the chamber with honey, molasses, syrup, grape jelly or ketchup works for you I say go for it!

 

rdavid

Part of the Furniture Now
Jun 30, 2018
648
9
Milton, FL
When I get ready to break in a new pipe, cob or briar, I load it up and smoke it, repeat as needed. Hasn’t caused a problem yet. If coating the chamber with honey, molasses, syrup, grape jelly or ketchup works for you I say go for it!
Same here. I remember when I first started piping a few years ago, building a good cake was all the rage and if you were breaking in a new pipe, you must do this or must do that to get a good cake going as fast as possible.
Doesn’t seem like a big deal anymore and in fact, myself and others here prefer a very thin cake. Almost like a carbon layer as opposed to a thicker build up. I’ve seen many references to the thickness of a nickel etc. and that’s great but again, I prefer a thinner carbon like layer usually no thicker than a dime.
I’ve also never experienced a wholly unpleasant experience with a new pipe and yes of course it takes a few bowls to make it right. Also I find that I don’t really care for the pre-carbonized bowls and many times will knock it down with an automotive grade scotch brite pad. Not to bare wood but close.
I do enjoy the experimentation involved with smoking pipes and kudos to the OP for trying something different.

 
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