Permanent/Reusable Alternative To Pipe Cleaners

[Effortlessdepths]

Does anyone have experience using a product like this to clean their pipes, especially the stems? If so, what do you clean the tobacco guck/resin off the bristles with? I'm just sick of buying pipe cleaners over and over again.

https://www.amazon.com/Straw-Cleane...t=&hvlocphy=1015150&hvtargid=pla-774938706371

 

[Merton]

since you cite a particular vendor, note that you can buy pipe cleaners in bulk from them at a very reasonable price. I do this 2 or three times per year. The wire bristle is helpful but nothing beats the liberal and vigorous use of nice clean pipe cleaner. It keeps your pipe....cleaner.

 

[FurCoat]

I use these when deep cleaning my pipes. They will stain no matter what but Everclear will keep them clean. I use cotton pipe cleaners mainly to control moisture in the pipe while smoking. Cotton pipe cleners can be cleaned and reused.

 

[RonB]

I've used something very similar: very small white nylon bristle brushes. In my opinion, they work great at getting the gunk out of old estate pipes and they're better than pipe cleaners for that. To clean them, I have a little glass of everclear or vodka I soak them in and then wipe them on a paper towel. Sometimes I wash them in dishwashing soap and hot water, again wiping with paper towels. They come up fairly clean.

But for just cleaning a slightly dirty pipe, I prefer pipecleaners.

 

[OzPiper]

Pipe cleaners are cheap. But if the mortise is filled with years of tar, you will need more than pipe cleaners.
I use a set of jewellers screwdrivers to (very gently) scrape out as much of the gunk as possible. Then alcohol-soaked bristle brushes and finally lots of pipe cleaners and more alcohol.

 

[sablebrush52]

Does anyone have experience using a product like this to clean their pipes, especially the stems? If so, what do you clean the tobacco guck/resin off the bristles with? I'm just sick of buying pipe cleaners over and over again.

https://www.amazon.com/Straw-Cleane...t=&hvlocphy=1015150&hvtargid=pla-774938706371

I've used shank brushes and they work well but they do get gunked up. I wipe them down with alcohol after use, but they can also pick up lint from a rag. So not perfect, but for a real scrubbing out and for being reusable they're a good tool to have in your bag.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I use a set of jewellers screwdrivers to (very gently) scrape out as much of the gunk as possible."

Ozpiper, try to get hold of some dental picks. They are perfectly suited for dragging out stubborn tars from just inside the mouthpiece.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I use cotton pipe cleaners mainly to control moisture in the pipe while smoking.

Bingo +1. I do have some brushes like that for when I have to do a cleaning, but for everyday maintenance, I prefer just absorbing the moisture using the cotton pipecleaners.

 

[jpmcwjr]

if you hot water flush the bowl and airway you'll have far less much to deal with.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Does anyone have experience using a product like this to clean their pipes, especially the stems? If so, what do you clean the tobacco guck/resin off the bristles with? I'm just sick of buying pipe cleaners over and over again.

https://www.amazon.com/Straw-Cleane...t=&hvlocphy=1015150&hvtargid=pla-774938706371

you still need pipe cleaners -

 

[mawnansmiff]

"....far less much to deal with"

Say what John?

Regards,

Jay.

 

[olkofri]

Cans of compressed air to remove lint from the whole airway.

 

[olkofri]

Cans of compressed air to remove lint from the whole airway.

I'm serious! My last step in cleaning is a couple of spritzes from a can of compressed air.

 

[mingc]

Like the others, I use the nylon shank brushes for cleaning estate pipes. I clean the brushes themselves with dish washing detergent and a toothbrush.

 

[philobeddoe]

I buy these from Walmart for around $6.00.

 

[jei64822]

I'm serious! My last step in cleaning is a couple of spritzes from a can of compressed air.

just make sure you avoid the ones with bitterant added!

 

[olkofri]

just make sure you avoid the ones with bitterant added!

I was actually thinking of buying a pancake compressor. Those cans are expensive.

 

[jpmcwjr]

"....far less much to deal with"

Say what John?

Regards,

Jay.

Spell check, "auto correction". The word was "muck".