Pipe Shapes and Moisture Control

[smokey789]

I just finished an article that said some pipe shapes are less prone to moisture and gurgle than others. I looked to see some explanation and didn't see a link or anything.

Does the shape make any difference? Is it noticeable? Which shape(s) smoke better than others?

And, maybe it has something to do with the angle of the drilled holes? Maybe one manufacturer gets it right more often? Is there some sort of sweet spot for the angle?

 

[pianopuffer]

I think the general consensus is that bent pipes have a propensity to collect moisture and gurgle more than straight pipes. Clenching exacerbates this to some degree.

I smoke only straight pipes with only a couple bents in my collection.

 

[Chasing Embers]

90% user 10% equipment. Most moisture issues can be solved with drier tobacco, lighter packing, less aggressive lighting, and slower smoking. A pipe won't correct improper technique.

 

[weezell]

90% user 10% equipment. Most moisture issues can be solved with drier tobacco, lighter packing, less aggressive lighting, and slower smoking. A pipe won't correct improper technique.

Embers is correct and to the point! 10% equipment is f_up drilling, lousy stem, etc...

 

[jpmcwjr]

What Duane said, plus the status of the pipe you load. Is the pipe itself really dry? Some briar dries well and some doesn't.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I have more trouble with my bent pipes. This could be because they aren't great smokers for reasons other than shape, or it could be some kind of operator error. I do have better smokes with my straight pipes, either way.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Same here, when it comes to moisture, I do find straight ones being easier to 'control'

 

[chilllucky]

I have only bent pipes. One always gurgles no matter what. A coupla others occasionally will, depending on the tobacco. Most never have.

 

[bullet08]

None gurgles. But I do notice moisture collecting. I just run pipe cleaner. No big deal.

 

[musicman]

I feel like gurgling has more to do with the drilling and the stem than the shape of the stummel. In my experience, if there’s significant variation in the width of the parts of the pipe the smoke passes through, this results in more gurgle.

 

[shanez]

90% user 10% equipment. Most moisture issues can be solved with drier tobacco, lighter packing, less aggressive lighting, and slower smoking. A pipe won't correct improper technique.

^^^^This.

I can make probably any pipe gurgle if I try.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

In my short experience, more open draw equals drier smoke. Maybe this leaves more room for operator error.

 

[smokey789]

I'll try to change my methods a bit. Sometimes, I don't get the packing right. I make it too tight. Sometimes, I don't switch and I think that doesn't let the pipe dry out well enough. I rarely have that happen with a well hydrated blend. I think I need to watch my packing the most.

 

[smokey789]

I'll have to get a nice straight pipe one of these days. I should have one in my collection. I have a Peterson tankard, but it's a small pipe. I'd like to have one that's standard size.

 

[cigrmaster]

I own 55 artisan made pipes most being from American guys. Not a one has a moisture issue even the few full bents smoke dry as a bone.
If a pipe is made well there should never be a moisture issue.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Harris-

That's true in your world, but many many folks have moisture issues with very well made pipes. It's those we're trying to address.

 

[bullet08]

I do notice more moisture on colder or windy day. I only smoke outside and when it's colder or windy, I do notice moisture collecting. Breath smoking definitely help with gurgling, but water being condensed has to go somewhere. On bent pipes, they usually end up in water trap or at the heel of the chamber.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Breath smoking definitely help with gurgling, but water being condensed has to go somewhere.

Smoke slow enough and the heat from the ember will burn it off before it becomes an issue.

 

[F4RM3R]

Aside from the comments of it being a "user" problem. Which I totally agree with, I'd like to add a few things..

I have found that pipes with a conical bowl, where the heel is quite small, seem to be more moisture prone. Not because more mositure is being created, but for the fact that the moisture gathers at the bottom in a smaller space, vs a wide bowl where there is more tobacco to soak up that moisture.

It's also been my experience that a more open draw leads to less buildup of moisture in the pipe. Not to say a pipe with a stricter draw can't be designed to have minimal moisture buildup, but the open draw leaves less room(from having more room) for error. Haha

 

[Dandy Pipesmoker]

For me it is more the briar than the construction or the shape. This is why it happens both with high-end pipes and with cheap ones.
Sometimes instead it happens that you are not the right smoker for that pipe. Someone else may not have the same problem.
Could be the briar or the smoker.