Pipe Sweetener

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ravkesef

Lifer
Aug 10, 2010
3,040
12,562
82
Cheshire, CT
Your basic question--what is a pipe sweetener? It's an alcohol based solvent (denatured, as noted above,) with a few flavoring additives, such as mint, etc. The solvent is intended to dissolve the gunk in your pipe, and the sweetener is intended to remain behind as a residue, thereby masking any unpleasant taste remaining in the pipe.
My advice is the same as others: use a food grade solvent such as Everclear. It being 190 Proof, i.e., 95% alcohol, its dissolving power will be greater. When you're satisfied that your pipe is clean, make one more pass with the liquors mentioned above. Some go for bourbon, others prefer irish, scotch, a certain brand of rum, etc. Pick your own. The main thing is to clean the pipe, leaving behind a nice fresh scent. How often should you do this? As often as necessary. I'm a clean freak, and I like my pipes to be spotlessly clean. Others clean after every 10 smokes, and the list goes on. You'll know when the pipe is beginning to develop an unpleasant taste, then it's time to break out the alcohol.

 

brudnod

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 26, 2013
938
6
Great Falls, VA
This thread has resurfaced and a good thing to expose the topic but again. My preference is Bacardi 151 rum. High alcohol proof and pleasant flavor. I prefer to clean my pipes after each use but admittedly, I smoke rather infrequently compared to other forum members; more opportunity to clean than time to smoke...

 

maxx

Part of the Furniture Now
Apr 10, 2015
709
6
Ezra Brooks is a tasty whiskey. It's 90 proof. Wild Turkey 101 is higher. Scotch whisky is lower at 80 proof. I don't know if Everclear is sold in Minnesota, but I think Wisconsin, which is a short drive away, sells it. I think I'll get some Bicardi 151 and try that. It's an excuse to taste it. I don't ever buy rum.

 

blackbeard

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 13, 2015
706
0
As mentioned above Wild Turkey 101.....tried that with no success and it lingers. Used briar fresh....new at this, seems to be working so far on my soured pipes. It also removed a lot the 101 missed. I would be interested in knowing.....if straight shine will work in place of everclear or should i just get everclear when the opportunity arises?

 

jpmcwjr

Lifer
May 12, 2015
26,264
30,360
Carmel Valley, CA
What's the proof of the shine?
In any event, a dry pipe and dry-ish tobacco go a long way to alleviating the problem.
Also, the space between the end of the tenon and the bottom of the mortise can be a place of trouble in some pipes. Clean with q-tips, pipe cleaners folded over, pipe tool if it has a flat non-pointed tip. (And your shine, Everclear, whatever)

 

blackbeard

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 13, 2015
706
0
Don't know the proof. The only shine that I was able to drink was filled with pears. So, I always re-gifted it. However, easy enough to obtain in Kentucky.

 
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