Pipe Screens

[badbriar]

Been enjoying many pipes for about 8 years now and still wondering about the use of pipe screens. I worked in a pipe / cigar shop and remember there being two different materials used. So, why use a pipe screen and what are the benefits of using brass or silver?

 

[PipesAndCigarsInFrance]

Hey my friend!
I have never used one....for years I have meant to given I live by the coast.
In short they help in windy conditions protecting the embers/tobacco being blown around. Also handy if you put a half finished pipe in your pocket. Can also help slow smoking speed in general.
In terms of brass and silver, I cannot help. Different costs perhaps?

EDIT: I think I am referring to pipe covers...screens are another thing that I have no idea about. I apologise.

 

[badbriar]

Actually, by Pipe Screens, I meant the thin screens that go inside the bowl. Good description on the Wind Screen, though!

 

[jaxonlee]

I assume, badbriar, that you are referring to the tiny round screens occasionally sold at a tobacconist but more often found in a "head shop"? I believe, and I'm open to be corrected, that those screens tend to be used in the bottom of pipes which are meant for more recreational herbal usage than tobacco. In other words, it keeps the ashes and embers from marijuana from sneaking through and giving a nasty surprise.

 

[jaxonlee]

Furthermore, I think the choice of brass or silver color is strictly aesthetic.

 

[cigrmaster]

There is never a reason for a screen to go into a tobacco pipe. Pack the thing right and just smoke.

Those brass screens are for weed pipes. Hell I used to steal screens from the faucets in my house kitchen as some had 3-4 in each one. My parents never noticed.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Never use them, as it's one more element to fiddle with.

Simply make sure the first dollop of tobacco on a load is large bits, at least absent of fines.

 

[Briar Baron]

I tried them a few times but eventually did not bother anymore. They do keep a bit of tobacco out of the draft hole on some occasions but after smoking the screen gets a bit gunky and I did not want the bother of cleaning it.
Now I just use a "sacrificial" tobacco for the first pinch of tobacco (a tobacco blend that I did not like too much) and then pack as normal my preferred tobacco and then never smoke right to the bottom. Seems to work well for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Those brass screens are for weed pipes.

This

 

[64alex]

While the screens are mainly used for weed the reason of their use with tobacco pipe, in addition to avoid the obstruction of the draft hole, is mainly to create an air chamber below the tobacco to improve the combustion. I sometime use them and they actually improve the combustion if you shape the screen to create a concavity below the tobacco. It can help particularly the beginners who tend to pack too tight the tobacco; when you gain more experience with packing you can achieve similar results with a proper packing. So they can help to improve combustion particularly for beginners.

 

[Chasing Embers]

the reason of their use with tobacco pipe, in addition to avoid the obstruction of the draft hole, is mainly to create an air chamber below the tobacco to improve the combustion.

You can do the same thing with a cannon ball pack.

 

[badbriar]

hmmm - weed cloth for pipes!

 

[condorlover1]

I used to use them until I discovered 'Philt Pads' and then the meerschaum ones courtesy of the Weezell.

 

[didimauw]

Yup definetly weed screens. However, since I started drying the crap out of my tobacco, I found the balsa filters ( in pipes that take filters) are great for moisture and tiny bits of tobacco that might fly through the stem.

 

[anotherbob]

had one pipe that the draft hole was too huge and used screens for that piece of garbage.

 

[bermuda]

The use of screens in a pipe intended for tobacco is inappropriate. Functionally, one or the point of "breaking in" a pipe is to try to form the cake all the way to the bottom of the bowl. This avoids problems later with wet smoking. If you use a screen the bottom of the bowl never gets caked an thus will always smoke wet, an undesirable and unpleasant experience. Save the screens for weed in a metal pipe, not for fine briar pipes and pipe tobacco. Also someone mentioned screens avoid clogged draft holes. With respect, if you pack the pipe properly with quality tobacco this should never be an issue. Keep puffin.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Functionally, one or the point of "breaking in" a pipe is to try to form the cake all the way to the bottom of the bowl. This avoids problems later with wet smoking. I

That's mostly been debunked. Many no longer allow cake to form and wet smoking can be fixed with drier tobacco, looser packing, and slower smoking.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Have to disagree with well formed cake being a guarantee against gurgling or wet pipes.

And using a screen is, for me, a complete waste of time, but hardly inappropriate for those who need or prefer them for whatever reason.

Edit: Wrote this before I saw that Duane had said much the same.

 

[whiteburleydude]

I've broken in brand new pipes that smoke dry with no cake. And I've smoked pipes with well formed cake that smoke wet. Personally, I prefer the taste of tobacco to the taste of burning wood, so I like to keep a light cake. My preference.

 

[B.Fee]

Nording key stones, have never needed them but I have been intrigued with the theory behind them. Anyone use these ?