Pipe Stem is Sticking

[AreBee]

I

If it's really stuck, put the pipe in the freezer for a few hours, which should lessen the pressure, and detach. Then, as been said above, thoroughly clean out the mortise and airway.

Yes.

I have a Peterson pipe with a sticky stem. I always wait a couple days before removing the stem after I smoke it and the stem can be removed fairly easily. Putting the stem back in flush and lining it up is impossible. I read on this forum that 5 mins in the freezer will solve the problem, and it does.

 

[Brad H]

Put graphite on it.
It even comes conveniently packaged in the pencil form!

 

[sablebrush52]

I

Yes.

I have a Peterson pipe with a sticky stem. I always wait a couple days before removing the stem after I smoke it and the stem can be removed fairly easily. Putting the stem back in flush and lining it up is impossible. I read on this forum that 5 mins in the freezer will solve the problem, and it does.

Just make sure that you clean out the mortise thoroughly while the stem is out. To different degrees, heat, cold, humidity affect the dimensional stability of briar, usually causing the briar to push against, and in extreme cases push out, the stems a little bit, which causes a sediment build up in the mortise.