My guess is that this isn't Brylon, which is some kind of synthetic wood composite, but I believe it is at least designed to tolerate heat far above the pipe-smoking level. So this is some kind of bad news plastic with the metal liner meant to contain the fire. Clearly it doesn't. Yes, get rid of it. I'd break it enough so some kid or teenager doesn't try to smoke it. This just sounds toxic. Brylon isn't toxic, but most of us feel it's too heavy, too hot to the touch when smoked, and not pleasant to handle compared to briar, cob, Meerschaum, and some other real wood. A few Forums members do like Brylon for its incredible durability, especially in rough and dirty work place situations. Brylon isn't all bad, just not generally a Forums favorite.