Pipe Storage

[sinister]

Figured this would be a good thread for this section.
What is the best way to store your pipe(s) when not in use?
- Open and sitting on a rack/pipe stand or shelf?

- In a pouch / case?

- Leave the stem in or out?

- Laying on its side, stem, up, down, sideways, tilted, etc
What are the basic dos and donts?

 

[sixmp]

It would depend on amount of time between uses.
As i use all my pipes regularly i leave them all on rests.

Stem always left in. Never leave stem out longer than you have to as leaving it out can create fitting problems.

I personally tilt mine stem raised so any moisture can make its way down towards the bowl.

 

[taerin]

The US method is to just leave them pointing stem up on a rack (keeps the juices in the bowel and away from the stem), I just have a rack made from a plastic box with packing material inside of it for the pipe to rest on, it can be very very cheap and do the trick. The UK method is to have the stems of the pipes pointing down while hanging in the racks (Lets the juices run down the stem). Both methods are correct, I use the first one on msot pipes, use the second on my clay to help the coloring fluids run down the stem (my "rack" for that is a shot glass).
I would say the biggest don't is, for the love of Bob, don't rest the pipe on things that may scratch it (harder than the briar or stem material, my father leaves his nicest briar resting in a cup full of metal coins and screws, I am not kidding!) and especially never ever ever leave the pipe sit for days without cleaning it, it will smell quite nasty when you get back to it and cleaning it will be more difficult (I sometimes do this myself with corn cobs).

 

[nsfisher]

I always use the stem up method. Just the way my racks are designed I guess. Either way is probably fine though, so long as you run a cleaner through to the bowl when your done smoking it.

 

[captainprophesy]

Stem up method in the rack for me.

 

[cigrmaster]

Stem up in my racks is the only way I have ever done it. I never even considered doing it another way.

 

[fireman03]

Dammit! Another thing I'm doing wrong. I think I have learned more today than I have since I started last month. I swear its one step forward two steps back for me.

 

[gnatjulio]

Most of mine are stem up unless the bigger pipes do fit then I just drop them stem down into the hole in the pipe rack. No problems so far.

 

[sinister]

Stem always left in. Never leave stem out longer than you have to as leaving it out can create fitting problems.

What would you consider a long time? I know that after I give my pipe(s) a good clean when I take the stem out, I let it sit for a day or 2 so all the moisture (alcohol) is dried out from both the stem and shank

 

[sixmp]

What would you consider a long time?

This article talks about the problems with leaving stems unattached.
Mail It In One Piece, Please

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I usually put them in my pipe rack or on individual stands with the stem up in between smokes.