New Pipe has Arrived

[dj11]

My new pipe has arrived. Please pardon the rather novice question, but what should I clean the stem with before using? Thanks for the advice.

 

[bigvan]

If it's brand new, go ahead and light it up. If it's an estate, I'd give it a good inspection and cleaning.

 

[vigil]

For new pipes I run a bristle cleaner thru the stem a few times and see if big stuff comes out (both in the stem, and the pipe itself. You never know what might be hiding in there from the factory. Then I dip a pipe cleaner in Everclear or Whiskey and repeat til it comes out clean (most times one is plenty).
After that, if the stem is in fairly decent shape I just grab a small piece of recycled t-shirt and hit the stem with a good gritty toothpaste and rub away. Rinse and repeat a couple times if that pipe has been "on the shelf" long enough for it to discolor. If it's a new pipe and the stem isn't oxidized, I only do it once to get rid of the "sticker goo".
I give it a final rinse, rub it dry, and start plotting what I'm gonna break that new pipe in with!

 

[petes03]

Welcome aboard! First off, if the pipe is new, just blow through it to make sure it's clear, then dip a pipe cleaner in high proof alcohol and run it down to the bowl. After that, you're good to go!

 

[dottle]

I would clean it well,,,a heard tell of a member finding feral cat shit in his new pipe not long ago,,,true story,to hear him tell it anyway.