I obviously recommend a Kaywoodie over Grabow. There is QC at Kaywoodie, not so much at Grabow. But that's just my opinion.
Metallic, Sour Taste with Both of my Cobs
- Thread starter towhee89
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Thanks. Yeah looking on Amazon it seems they are plagued with that. I have a nice Omega Crown Briar I got from my dad I just haven't smoked it as much since I got cobs but have been thinking about it more because of said issues with the cobs. But I do like the feel of the briar better. I'll have to try out some of my non aros in it.
My experience with cobs. I remember that when they are new, for a while they gave me a bitter aftertaste, perhaps because of the relative freshness of a cob that has been dried in a short time to be sold. I have cobs with at least three years of use, and they give me a different taste, a bitterness even, different from my heather pipes, which give me a sweet aftertaste. That's my feeling. I clean them daily, but that bitterness never goes away, and the degradation will be easier in this type of material. It's a personal opinion, I'm still a rookie, I'm only 4 years old I think, of pipe smoking.
As needed (or motivated), I run the shanks of my cobs with a loosely doubled over cleaner soaked in Everclear on mine, and I don’t go for thick cake buildup.
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+1 on the KW over a Grabow, modern Grabows are, ehh... pipe shaped objects... KW's are great values and stellar smokers.
Are you using a Zippo to light it by any chance? I fouled out a couple of MM Prides with a Zippo and they were just hideous. I had to toss them.
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Great service and I highly recommend getting a Kaywoodie.
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Thanks all, I will certainly be getting a Kaywoodie next briar I buy! I'm smoking some 965 out of my Briar and enjoying it much more than in the cob.
No Clipper butane.
Well, today I smoked both cobs some more and they seem to be back to normal, hah! (?!) I guess they needed some time to rest and dry out after cleaning.
I’ve got one and like it. I’ve used their paper filters and also the 6mm charcoal.
Glad you found a solution. That does sound like tobacco juice/residue coming up through the stem and causing that nasty flavor. I had the same problem with an improperly cured briar once - instant mouthful of sour, metallic tobacco juice, and I couldn't get that taste out of my mouth for days.
Definitely a good idea to swab with a cleaner each smoke and allow the pipes to dry a day or two after use for best flavor. I like to clean with a bit of whiskey every now and then as well - helps keep the pipe smoking sweet, dry, and clean.
Definitely a good idea to swab with a cleaner each smoke and allow the pipes to dry a day or two after use for best flavor. I like to clean with a bit of whiskey every now and then as well - helps keep the pipe smoking sweet, dry, and clean.
I've been trying to smoke slower, when I sip I get no funky flavors from the cob. So just gotta keep on doing that.
I just got a new, unused Dr. Grabow Grand Duke on fb marketplace for $8 plus shipping, seemed like a no brainer. Still want a Kaywoodie though but for that price I'll try a Grabow. Pretty great deal.
I also ordered another MM Legend, I'm going to try cleaning it after every smoke from now on so maybe the foul taste doesn't happen. I wasn't able to get rid of it unfortunately, but live and learn. At least they're cheap.
I also ordered another MM Legend, I'm going to try cleaning it after every smoke from now on so maybe the foul taste doesn't happen. I wasn't able to get rid of it unfortunately, but live and learn. At least they're cheap.
Having a couple more pipes will definitely help. Cobs I've found don't need a much drying time, but the abuse will catch up to them quickly if you let basic maintenance slide. A basic cleaning after a smoke, then let it chill for a while. More pipes mean you shouldn't be reaching for that one as often.
Yeah that's why I want to get a few pipes to rotate so this doesn't happen. Thanks for the comment and all others who commented.
I haven't tried it, but cobs being what they are.. How about getting a blow torch and giving it a good, but brief burn down inside the chamber? I always wipe the chamber, clean the stem, shank, mortise and all that, but wouldn't it be more sanitary to just burn off the surface layer of the chamber? Just thinking out loud.
I used to smoke hot and wet and a constantly sour pipe(s) was the result
Bought a few more pipes (when I could afford it) and built up a rotation.
Problem solved somewhat
With the hints from Forums members I am now drying my tobacco more
Packing looser and tamping more gently.
Using meerschaum chips or Nording Keystones at the bottom of my bowls
Smoking much more slowly
Now generally dry smokes, minimal/no relights, little or no dottle
PS I clean out my pipes with a minimum 2 cleaners immediately after each bowl
Great. It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be but no big deal. Do Grabow pipes vary in size even within the same models? The smooth Grand Duke looks a lot bigger. I'll get a bigger Grabow if I find any on ebay or new old stock it seems they can be had for pretty low like $20 on the regular. Next pipe I want a Kaywoodie or Bones for sure. But I'm surprised how well the Grabow feels, you can tell it's not a high end pipe but makes no difference to smoking the briar is still solid quality.
Th
You would have to consult one of the docs on the forum, but I think you are describing the symptoms of pipe acquisition disorder (PAD)! Good luck!
To my knowledge they are all the same size per type. The biggest one they make is called their (drumroll) “big pipe”. I’ve seen one and they have a large bowl indeed.
You would have to consult one of the docs on the forum, but I think you are describing the symptoms of pipe acquisition disorder (PAD)! Good luck!