Pipes In Cars In Winter

[mso489]

I live in the mid-South, so this is a theoretical question, to a degree. Is there any temperature

in North America that represents a problem for briar or stem materials, or any other pipe

materials, left in a car overnight? I grew up in the Chicago area, so I have known some cold.

Wintered over in Milwaukee one year, even a little further north.

 

[pitchfork]

I have a pipe that I left in the car overnight, multiple nights in fact, during the coldest winter I've ever experienced here in the mid-west. We had temperatures some days of -15 F and I didn't notice any damage to pipe or stem (vulcanite).

 

[warren]

Never considered it a problem up here (Anchorage, AK). Of course when I get in the car in cold temps I let it warm up, my pipe is in my hand (warming) as I load it, then the lights and the smoke. So it's not as though it goes from -30 to high heat in an instant.

 

[ravenwolf]

I've wondered about this myself. I think Warren's answer from Anchorage is pretty definitive for me. Thanks Warren - I'll smoke on without any fears.

 

[mso489]

Yeah, Alaska would pretty much settle the case. As with cameras, it's probably better to keep a pipe

in an inside pocket (or under your coat with cameras). But pipes don't have moving parts (mostly) so

should be more durable. Thanks for the report from "true north."

 

[shaintiques]

I would think the only real danger is if the pipe is very cold and you fire it right up. The extreme temp change might cause a pipe to crack. But I wouldn't think the temp itself on a pipe just sitting there would matter.

 

[northernneil]

Using a pipe in a car during the winter, no issues. However, I would not recommend leaving the pipe in the car if it isn't running. I accidentally left my pipe in my car while I was at work, when I picked it up the bowl separated from the stem and fell to the floor. Once I got the pipe back into the warmth the problem fixed it's self. Nonetheless, I would not recommend leaving your pipe in the car during cold or hot weather.