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Nasty

Lurker
Feb 3, 2024
11
5
I recently bought two estate pipes, a Savenelli Tre 606 ks and a Chacom. Both bowls are black with cake. With the Chacom, after I reamed I tried a few things such as dish soap, alcohol, Bar Keepers Friend, and Murphys (all with tooth brush and cloth). I then did two salt treatments on it, the first with pink Himalayan and 91% isopropyl alcohol and the second with kosher salt, both for more than 24 hours. After the first, the very bottom was a lot cleaner, but that was it. With the Savenelli, I simply reamed, wiped it with some alcohol and then did the salt treatment with kosher, (albeit maybe an hour and half shy of the full 24). The pictures are of the bowls after I did all these things. I need help! IMG_20240203_235059376.jpgIMG_20240203_235142342.jpgIMG_20240203_235149820.jpgIMG_20240203_235102238.jpg
 
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Nasty

Lurker
Feb 3, 2024
11
5
Oh I forgot, I also tried 220 grit sandpaper on the inside of the Chacom as well
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,749
16,369
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Put in the time with a sharp edge taking small bites. It's how I'd go after the cake. One of the reasons I've never been tempted to buy used pipes. I simply do not have the time to spend cleaning op other smokers neglect. Not when new pipes are readily available to acquire. I'm not disparaging those of you who enjoy doing such labor.

If you want bare wood, Embers' advice seems to be spot on. But, first take as much of the cake as you dare with a knife or you could "worry" away the cake with a reamer. I favor the knife on thick, old cake. Again small bites until you acquire the skill and "touch".
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
5,892
31,472
71
Sydney, Australia
Rebornpipes has lots of hints illustrated with before and after photos.
A knife is effective but if you’re like me and am a klutz with blades, get a reamer
Sandpaper is a safe alternative.
Just go slow.
 
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Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
1,563
13,615
France
Have you used Murphys before in a pipe? The stuff has a really long lasting smell. I dont think Id use it...but if it works I stand corrected.
 
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Nasty

Lurker
Feb 3, 2024
11
5
Have you used Murphys before in a pipe? The stuff has a really long lasting smell. I dont think Id use it...but if it works I stand corrected.
No I haven't. This is the first time I've tried any of this stuff. There is definitely a faint smell in the bowls rights now (I just cleaned them last night), but hopefully that goes away😅
 

captpat

Lifer
Dec 16, 2014
2,288
12,183
North Carolina
Alcohol and salt treatment work pretty well at removing tars, etc, and sometimes a ghost or two, but not so good at removing cake. Removing cake is a material removal process so you need a reamer, knife, or other abrasive. Some sandpaper wrapped around a larger diameter pencil is the ticket, hard to hurt yourself or the pipe. I wouldn't use Bar Keepers Friend, or Murphys on my pipes, inside or out.
 

Two Pipes Crossing

Starting to Get Obsessed
Nov 3, 2023
124
2,402
Austin Texas

Nasty

Lurker
Feb 3, 2024
11
5
Well I tried the sandpaper. Wasn't working great, but I remember I have a drum bit with sanding drums. So I put that on my drill and went to town. Not super pretty but a lot better than it was in my opinion. Thank you all for your suggestions!
 

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