Questions About Meerschaum for Meerschaum Smokers

[gord]

About three months ago, I bought a meerschaum miniature for display, and began using meerschaum chips to diffuse the draft hole in pipes that had that hole placed centrally in the pipe. I had heard that meerschaum never needed to break in, that from the beginning the pipe will be perfectly broken in. I'm not so sure. I decided to smoke that miniature, and there was a slightly mineral taste, that after a few smokings disappeared, and the smoking experience became absolutely delightful. I'm hooked.

I also decided to buy a Falcon pipe to take on fishing trips, and have two briar bowls with that august little pipe. Was going to buy a couple of meerschaum bowls for the pipe, but decided not to, but rather, to obtain three or four actual meerschaum pipes instead, dedicating one pipe to each type of tobacco I smoke, as the little fellow I experimented on took on the flavor of the tobacco I was smoking.

Tell me, guys, am I on the right track, mentally ill, (uhhh . . . don't answer that question please!! ) or should I start over from ground zero? I actually look forward to smoking that miniature every couple of days, and I want more!

Please give me your thoughts and expertise. Thanks!

Also, don't suggest to buy a meerschaum lined bowl for the Falcon. I have come to loathe pre-carboned bowls intensely, having to break them in properly to eliminate that ridiculous coating. I'm figuring meerschaum lining is going to be a similar problem and would rather have dedicated pipes.

 

[didimauw]

Everything sounds good to me.

Except whoever said meerschaum doesn't need to be broken in, was a liar. I prefer mine after 10 to 12 bowls. 1-9 are just pure chalk taste. I hate breaking in meerschaums. But it's worth it to me. They are my favorite pipes, after the break in period.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I smoke 3 different Meers most days. I don't find they smoke drastically different than briar but they do smoke quite good. I also think Meer and Briar are best if you dedicate a blend, or at least a blend type, to them. Both get better as they're smoked and build up a thin layer of cake. I highly recommend Meers, I really enjoy mine.

 

[OzPiper]

About three months ago, I bought a meerschaum miniature I'm hooked.

I actually look forward to smoking that miniature every couple of days, and i want more

Could be the happy hormones from the flush of a new love.
Or just the joy of a brand new toy
Just joking

I have several meers - Turkish and African, as well as a gourd calabash (with a meer bowl)
And pipes of other material - mortas, olive wood, clay, porcelain, cherry wood, ivory and, of course, briar
I can’t say that I reach for them any more often than my other pipes

 

[OzPiper]

Everything sounds good to me.

Except whoever said meerschaum doesn't need to be broken in, was a liar.

^^^^^

Also, meerschaums DO ghost

 

[AJL67]

All i smoke it meers now, meers def have a break in period (new meers not estate meers) there is a period where they taste disgusting, to me it tastes like sour milk, smoking stronger blends in them help a little bit and it only lasts a few bowls.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

I haven't had any notable odd taste to the first couple bowls in my meers, but the quality of my taste buds is debatable.
They definitely do take on some flavor, though.

 

[condorlover1]

@AJL67 : That why I smoke 'dead dudes' 100+ year old meerschaum, no break in hassles!

 

[didimauw]

^^^^^

Also, meerschaums DO ghost

Very every true. They are the spookiest of all pipes.

 

[gervais]

Tagged as the most original and spot on metaphor...
(Or, damn, is it a simile?)

"They taste like you're sucking smoke from a clams arse for the first few smokes."

 

[condorlover1]

They taste like you're sucking smoke from a clams arse for the first few smokes

Thats brilliant. That beats my 'sucking farts out of Swans' description. +100

 

[AJL67]

@AJL67 : That why I smoke 'dead dudes' 100+ year old meerschaum, no break in hassles!

I'm with you, i bought 2 new meer pipes and about 40 estate pipes, one of the new meer i didn't smoke for weeks because i was dreading that taste from the first few bowls, now i let someone else suffer and i buy the pipes that come already smoked from them or their widows.

 

[OzPiper]

They taste like you're sucking smoke from a clams arse for the first few smokes

Hey, I’m old enough to remember when smoked oysters used to be THE thing
Tasted like wet toilet paper marinated in rancid cod liver oil

 

[proteus]

I have a collection of meers and they've smoked great from day 1. Buy a few and go from there. You can't go wrong.

 

[renfield]

I’ve never had any bad break-in tastes out of the more than 10 new meers I’ve owned from several different carvers. At most a light mineral taste for the first couple of bowls.

Interesting that some people find strong off flavors in their new meers.

The White Lady beacons. Why resist?

 

[didimauw]

I'm with you, i bought 2 new meer pipes and about 40 estate pipes, one of the new meer i didn't smoke for weeks because i was dreading that taste from the first few bowls, now i let someone else suffer and i buy the pipes that come already smoked from them or their widows.

You almost have a really good point.

Almost.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I've had one new Meer that had a funky taste for the first 6 to 8 bowls. All the others were quite neutral.

 

[jerry]

Every meer, and every meer smoker, is unique. We learn by experiment and experience. Enjoy your meers!

 

[AJL67]

I’ve never had any bad break-in tastes out of the more than 10 new meers I’ve owned from several different carvers. At most a light mineral taste for the first couple of bowls.

Interesting that some people find strong off flavors in their new meers.

The White Lady beacons. Why resist?

Some of us have functioning taste buds. lol

 

[gord]

I’ve never had any bad break-in tastes out of the more than 10 new meers I’ve owned from several different carvers. At most a light mineral taste for the first couple of bowls.

Interesting that some people find strong off flavors in their new meers.

The White Lady beacons. Why resist?

That's what I found, too, exactly. However, it was a little pipe for sure and a very strong very cherry tobacco that overwhelmed everything