With most pipes it is best to wait until they cool before taking them apart. However, for the Peterson Standard #307, one of their most popular, and some of the others, the stem just pops out of that metal ring so I just pull it apart when hot. With this kind of design there is little chance of cracking the shank, which could happen with some pipes when you pull them apart hot. Be sure to double up a pipe cleaner to clean out that little reservoir inside (part of "the system") as well. Good luck. For my money, Peterson has to be about the best.