Quick Questions

[jvnshr]

Guys, there are several questions I would like to ask, will be happy if I get answers to them;
1 - Should I remove the dottle from a corn cob right after smoking or should I leave it to cool down like a briar and then clean it? I am afraid that if I leave it, it will cause a ghost smoke and then I am afraid that if I clean it right after smoking I may damage it.
2 - Should I clean the bowl of corn cob after each smoke? If yes, what should I use to clean it?
3 - Should I use sweetener for the stem and shank cleaning after each smoke?
4 - May I replace the sweetener with alcohol (whiskey, vodka, etc.)?
5 - May I use the sweetener/alcohol for cleaning the inside of the bowl? If yes, how often.
Thanks in advance.

 

[multuminparvo]

Caveat: There are many ways to skin a cat so everybody develops his own "system" over time
general proven ways are:
1) After you finish your smoke stir the ash and mix it with the dottle - this will soak up some moisture and makes it easier to dump the mess.
2) Yes, I would use a simple pipe cleaner folded in half to clean the bowl.
3) Yes, you can but it is not a must. If you detect a funny taste than give it a go.
4) Most of us use either an overproof neutral grain sprit or some tastier brown spirt (overproof Rum, Whiskey etc.). It should have a high alcohol content > 50% per volume/> 100 proof and must be consumable for humans so no methanol or denatured ethanol. I personally don't use commercial pipe sweeteners but STROH Rum 160 proof. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroh
5) Nope, you want to build some cake not scrub it clean.

 

[jvnshr]

@multuminparvo thank you very much for the answers, I am still curious about building a cake in a corn cob. I know it has been an issue probably for decades (to build cake or not in a corn cob). Thanks again.

 

[multuminparvo]

I smoke SG 1792 Flake and English Mixtures in my Cobs. They don't build a lot of cake but a little adds over time. I would say I ream them 1-2 times a year not more.

 

[jvnshr]

that is good thing to hear. thanks for the info

 

[ray47]

Read this it may answer all your questions:
http://pipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Corncob_primer

 

[prairiedruid]

I run a pipe cleaner or 2 through my cobs right after each smoke to clean and help dry them and then I don't smoke that cob for a day. I clean with vodka soaked pipe cleaners once every 3-4 weeks. The bowl I wipe out with a paper towel or pipe tool as needed.

 

[brass]

I don't think you need to be concerned about damaging your pipe just by cleaning when it is warm. Some would caution against removing the stem while the stummel is hot.

 

[jvnshr]

Read this it may answer all your questions:
http://pipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Corncob_primer

I read it before actually, maybe twice. it is a good article, however doesn't have exact methods of doing things, especially about cleaning. Maybe it is me paying too much attention to everything.

I run a pipe cleaner or 2 through my cobs right after each smoke to clean and help dry them and then I don't smoke that cob for a day. I clean with vodka soaked pipe cleaners once every 3-4 weeks. The bowl I wipe out with a paper towel or pipe tool as needed.

yeah, glad that we are on the same track

I don't think you need to be concerned about damaging your pipe just by cleaning when it is warm. Some would caution against removing the stem while the stummel is hot.

I had a cheap cherrywood pipe, I tried to clean the bowl (remove dottle and ash) after smoking it and I damaged the wood. The thing is after smoking a pipe it is warm and humid so you can easily damage the material. I think same thing goes with the corn cobs.

 

[okiescout]

Personally jvnshr, I would say no to #2 and #3 the rest I would say try and see what works for you. I would generally just wipe the bole out just like I do my briars. But cleaning stems with Everclear or alcoholic drink of your choice may keep some baccy from building a nasty taste in the stem portion of the pipe. It will not hurt to wipe the bowl out with alcohol but I would not make a habit of soaking it, cobs are pretty tough considering, but it probably is not a good idea to soak even briars beyond what is necessary to sanitize them. Hope this helps, enjoy your cobs.

 

[sthbkr77]

I have yet to damage a cob while scooping out crud right after a smoke. I think the softer nature of the cob is more forgiving than briar.

 

[mso489]

I've never had a problem with scooping out a cob bowl after it goes out. There's enough carbon left to keep the bowl from burning. I scoop it out, then wipe it out with a paper towel or napkin, use a pipe cleaner, and polish up the outside bowl, shank and stem. I'm not a cake builder on any of my pipes, and they last forever, and break in just fine as well. This isn't everyone's way, but it sure works for me, with some very old pipes I bought new "back when Hector was a pup." It works equally well with briar or cob pipes.

 

[anarchisthermit]

Just don't go poking and digging below the level of the shank. In time the ash and dottle will turn to solid cake to form a durable bottom to the chamber. Also there is some danger of poking a hole in the bottom. I basically treatmy cobs like I treat my briars and meers.

 

[anarchisthermit]

Just don't go poking and digging below the level of the shank. In time the ash and dottle will turn to solid cake to form a durable bottom to the chamber. Also there is some danger of poking a hole in the bottom. I basically treatmy cobs like I treat my briars and meers.