Routine Cleaning Question.

[abdulaziz]

What's up pipers
I've watched and read a lot about the Routine Pipe Cleaning and everybody insists on using alcohol when cleaning the shank but the problem is that in my country it's nearly impossible to get any liquid that contains alcohol even the medical ones, so the question is; is there anything else that can replace alcohol when deep cleaning a pipe?, and are shank brushes important to clean pipes or bristle cleaners can do the job?. Thank you.
*I have some chloroform spirit right now so can I clean the pipe with it or not?, if the answer is yes I still need other suggestions because I can't get it all the time.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ahh, you must be a fellow Alabamian. I have this problem too, ha ha.

 

[abdulaziz]

Actually I am from Yemen.

 

[mainman341]

Whiskey/vodka works well how about that?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

From what I hear of Yemen, it's not that different from Alabama. ::
Eh, I wouldn't use chloroform on my pipes. You might wake up in a strange place, like Las Vegas.

Alcohol just loosens the crud from the inside and it dries quickly. Maybe you could just use a more aggressive bristol pipe cleaner, and occasionally use a pipe sweetener. Can you order from 4noggins or another tobacconist? They can get you a pipe sweetener.

 

[abdulaziz]

I ordered more than once from smokingpipes.com and the last order was more than ten days ago (haven't arrived) and it didn't occur to me ordering pipe sweetener, the shipping to Yemen is a little expensive so I have to order many things every time so the shipping cost worth it.

I will order pipe sweetener the next time I need tobacco or a pipe.

Thank you Cosmicfolklore.

 

[abdulaziz]

Mainman341, I live in Yemen and here any alcohol beverage is forbidden.

 

[phil67]

Whiskey/vodka works well how about that?

Ah... the last time I looked/drank whiskey or vodka it was alcohol. lol
Other than that, and as cosmic mentioned pipe sweetener should do the trick. However, seeing that you can't obtain alcohol I would be tad more conscious about regular cleaning rather than letting the pipe(s) get too dirty when alcohol might then become more of a necessity. Also, on your next order by all means grab a few shank brushes.

 

[ravkesef]

Please keep in mind that though it is not potable, pipe sweetener does contain a significant amount of alcohol.

 

[newbroom]

Go to the drug store and buy isopropyl alchohol for antiseptic. Get the highest % strength available...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Newbroom, his OP suggests that he cant even get medical alcohol.

 

[abdulaziz]

Phil67, I clean the pipe during and after each smoke. I will buy some shank brushes from ebay because the shipping is free :D

 

[derfatdutchman]

That is a good question. For the stem I don't see why you couldn't use boiled (really hot) water. Now if it would work on the shank of the bowl, I don't know. Maybe someone else can provide some more information.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Can you buy mouthwash at the store? Some have a little alcohol, and others have none. Some have milder flavors than others. Probably good for the stem, but I don't know about the shank and bowl. Use plain water on the pipe cleaner last so it won't leave too strong of a flavor. Just a thought...

 

[brudnod]

Has anyone ever done solubility tests on doddle? Seems like the stuff that gets stuck in the shank and stem should be soluble in oil as well as alcohol. Never tried light oil but seems as though it should work as well. Any thoughts?

 

[abdulaziz]

I don't know If mouthwash works but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks Agnosticpipe.

 

[phil67]

Has anyone ever done solubility tests on doddle? Seems like the stuff that gets stuck in the shank and stem should be soluble in oil as well as alcohol. Never tried light oil but seems as though it should work as well. Any thoughts?

Then how would you go about cleaning out and removing the oil?!

I know... alcohol! lol

 

[loneredtree]

Sounds like the stem can be cleaned with dish washing detergent. This sounds crazy but how about white gas? It is a good solvent and should evaporates easily. I would do only the shank and let it dry a long time. Or, at least until you do not smell it.

 

[phil67]

This sounds crazy but how about white gas?

Yep, that's crazy alright. Granted, it evaporates quickly. but it's a carcinogenic! Don't, under any circumstance use such a substance!

 

[abdulaziz]

So there is no other solution but alcohol or pipe sweetener?