Meerschaum Pipe, Can I or Can't I use Everclear Inside the Bowl and Shank?

[crazyhog]

Hey,

My first Meerschaum pipe is arriving Friday. I have read different opinions regarding using alchohol inside of the bowl and shank. I know you should not use any liquid on the outside of either. Would it be alright to put a few drops on a paper towel and on a pipe cleaner to clean the inside of bowl and shank/mortise? Thanks in advance

 

[Waning Embers]

Sure can.

Using Alcohol and Cotton Balls on Meerschaum :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

To prevent polluting another thread with progress reports I'll start this one. Too much hearsay turns into the gospel and phobias among pipe smokers. In another thread a while back it was stated as fact that wiping a meerschaum down with alcohol would damage it. I did it to one and it neither...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I clean the outside of century old meers with saliva, it’s a remarkable solvent… I’ve never had a problem running alcohol through the inside of a block meerschaum pipe either, but I’d be wary around pressed meer. Alcohol can negatively affect certain acrylic bits though.

 

[The Benedictine]

I clean the outside of century old meers with saliva, it’s a remarkable solvent… I’ve never had a problem running alcohol through the inside of a block meerschaum pipe either, but I’d be wary around pressed meer. Alcohol can negatively affect certain acrylic bits though.

I just had the oddest picture of you putting the whole bowl in your mouth

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I just had the oddest picture of you putting the whole bowl in your mouth

Well… how else would you do it? I just jam it in there like a golf ball washer and go to town.

 

[The Benedictine]

Well… how else would do it? I just jam it in there like a golf ball washer and go to town.

Could get you a job if you ever fell on hard times.

 

[Servant King]

 

[crazyhog]

Sure can.

Using Alcohol and Cotton Balls on Meerschaum :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

To prevent polluting another thread with progress reports I'll start this one. Too much hearsay turns into the gospel and phobias among pipe smokers. In another thread a while back it was stated as fact that wiping a meerschaum down with alcohol would damage it. I did it to one and it neither...

pipesmagazine.com

Thanks, that was a very helpful thread. My Meerschaum pipe is block.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Sure can.

Using Alcohol and Cotton Balls on Meerschaum :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

To prevent polluting another thread with progress reports I'll start this one. Too much hearsay turns into the gospel and phobias among pipe smokers. In another thread a while back it was stated as fact that wiping a meerschaum down with alcohol would damage it. I did it to one and it neither...

pipesmagazine.com

Is it OK to use alcohol on the plastic amber swirl stem that I have on my meer?

 

[Waning Embers]

Is it OK to use alcohol on the plastic amber swirl stem that I have on my meer?

Alcohol may cause damage to that. I'd just use warm soapy water and a pipe cleaner.

 

[Waning Embers]

Thanks, that was a very helpful thread. My Meerschaum pipe is block.

Very welcome.

 

[Hillcrest]

Sure can.

Using Alcohol and Cotton Balls on Meerschaum :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance

To prevent polluting another thread with progress reports I'll start this one. Too much hearsay turns into the gospel and phobias among pipe smokers. In another thread a while back it was stated as fact that wiping a meerschaum down with alcohol would damage it. I did it to one and it neither...

pipesmagazine.com

I missed the post on teaching meers to fly ... or was that the UAP thread ?

 

[Sig]

Ive always used booze in my Meers.
Never had an issue.
But if you keep it clean, you shouldn't need alcohol too often.
You dont want any cake in a Meer.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Could get you a job if you ever fell on hard times.

TMI….

I just had the oddest picture of you putting the whole bowl in your mouth

of course you did

 

[xrundog]

The main issue is that alcohol may affect the exterior finish on a laboriously colored meer. Otherwise it’s fine. I recently took a meer that stank of cologne and soaked it in alcohol for a couple hours. Then I lit it on fire to try and burn off the stink. Didn’t hurt it at all. The stink persists. But less so.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Ive always used booze in my Meers.
Never had an issue.
But if you keep it clean, you shouldn't need alcohol too often.
You dont want any cake in a Meer.

I prefer a thin cake in all my pipes including Meers. The only blend I smoke in my Meers are Virginias. My Altinok is dedicated solely to Sir John's Flake Virginia. I want that thin layer of cake to preserve the Virginia flavors and enhance them.

 

[didimauw]

I just had the oddest picture of you putting the whole bowl in your mouth

You're going to fit in here nicely my friend

 

[didimauw]

I only use warm water to clean my pipes. I also dont drink alcohol, so I dont have any handy. But water really seems to neutralize pipes, especially meers.