Savinelli Balsa Filters - Not Pushing All The Way Through
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When you push a fresh filter into the stem, you don't want it to bottom all the way in. If you do that, it can restrict the air flow. When I use them, I push them all the way in, then pull them back out about 1/8". The smoke actually goes around the filter, and the balsa absorbs the moisture like a sponge. Nothing actually goes through a balsa filter. That's why I call them absorbers, because they don't really filter anything in the normal sense.
They are not filters, they absorb the moisture from teh smoke, giving you a dryer smoke, with less burn on the tongue.
Best instructions, IMHO, is to take filter, line it up with the trash can carefully, deposit in trash can, smoke pipe without it.
I love the Savinelli balsa “filters”. The don’t take anything away from the taste, but they absorb moisture and maybe some of the nicotine (I don’t know if that’s true just what I’ve heard). Filters are great in my book.
I don't see the balsa filter doing anything different than running a pipe cleaner through the stem while smoking won't. So it's just one more thing and expense to mess with that I don't feel is necessary. But if you like them, by all means, use them.
The other thing is, get a small piece of tobacco plugged in the hole at the bottom of the bowl and try clearing that out with a pipe cleaner when a balsa filter is installed.
The other thing is, get a small piece of tobacco plugged in the hole at the bottom of the bowl and try clearing that out with a pipe cleaner when a balsa filter is installed.
I use the balsa insets a lot in my savinellis, and also in cobs, in which they fit perfectly. They pull a ton of moisture directly out of the smoke.
@Hoosier: you’re absolutely right that you can’t use a cleaner to clear a clogged draft hole. But that’s fairly rare compared to condensation. Using a cleaner to soak up condensed moisture inside the pipe is a solution to a problem that the balsa largely eliminates in the first place by directly absorbing that moisture. In other words, you don’t have to bother with the cleaner. I guess it’s a matter of which solution works best for the individual smoker.
Of course, this discussion is moot if you get a couple Brighams with the maple inserts which both wick moisture and can pass a cleaner. They’re fairly cheap, good smokers, but more than a little bit butt ugly
@Hoosier: you’re absolutely right that you can’t use a cleaner to clear a clogged draft hole. But that’s fairly rare compared to condensation. Using a cleaner to soak up condensed moisture inside the pipe is a solution to a problem that the balsa largely eliminates in the first place by directly absorbing that moisture. In other words, you don’t have to bother with the cleaner. I guess it’s a matter of which solution works best for the individual smoker.
Of course, this discussion is moot if you get a couple Brighams with the maple inserts which both wick moisture and can pass a cleaner. They’re fairly cheap, good smokers, but more than a little bit butt ugly
Here's one other thing I thought of. I personally prefer to remove the bit as little as possible. You're always one twist away from a broken bit. I don't want to be taking one of my favorite pipes apart every day to change out the balsa.
Well, manufacturers of filtered pipes must have taken into account the 'stress' of taking the mouthpiece off after EVERY smoke when designing/making said pipes. Thus, the possibility of breaking the pipe is nigh nil, unless you're extremely rough. Also, in the case of the OP, geography has pretty much determined that a filter is the way to go, as he lives in a very humid place.
Even Brighams, some of them, the bent ones, won't pass the cleaner straight through to the bowl, as the metal head of the filter goes into a receptacle beneath the bowl—the airways in these pipes are not unlike Peterson's system pipes; thus, you MUST take the bit off repeatedly in order to properly clean them and/or replace the maple filter. Again, the manufacturer has factured that into their construction, so why worry?
Even Brighams, some of them, the bent ones, won't pass the cleaner straight through to the bowl, as the metal head of the filter goes into a receptacle beneath the bowl—the airways in these pipes are not unlike Peterson's system pipes; thus, you MUST take the bit off repeatedly in order to properly clean them and/or replace the maple filter. Again, the manufacturer has factured that into their construction, so why worry?
[/quote]Well, manufacturers of filtered pipes must have taken into account the 'stress' of taking the mouthpiece off after EVERY smokeThey must have or you know they did? Big difference.
In general, I don't have an issue with balsa inserts or any insert for that matter. I simply don't like them. Every pipe in my rotation freely passes a pipe cleaner. They don't make my rotation if they don't. I use pipe cleaners liberally, when necessary. I agree the balsa filters serves the function it was designed for and in fact, does it well. I simply don't like it for the reasons previously stated and will not purchase a pipe that has one. Obviously, enough people like them for a few pipe makers to make a fair quantity. If you like them, by all means, buy and smoke them. I offered my opinion based upon my own experience and reasons. Doesn't mean I expect you, or anybody else, to agree with me.
In general, I don't have an issue with balsa inserts or any insert for that matter. I simply don't like them. Every pipe in my rotation freely passes a pipe cleaner. They don't make my rotation if they don't. I use pipe cleaners liberally, when necessary. I agree the balsa filters serves the function it was designed for and in fact, does it well. I simply don't like it for the reasons previously stated and will not purchase a pipe that has one. Obviously, enough people like them for a few pipe makers to make a fair quantity. If you like them, by all means, buy and smoke them. I offered my opinion based upon my own experience and reasons. Doesn't mean I expect you, or anybody else, to agree with me.
The average will vary per person. I used my filters about 3 times, drying them in air. Yes, you could put them in an oven at less than 200º F.
I no longer use filters in any pipe, and have no need for them.
I no longer use filters in any pipe, and have no need for them.
I use balsa filters regularly. I find no difference in the flavor of the tobacco when smoking my pipes with or without them. When I insert the filters in the pipe I only push them part way in, so a little less then half sticks out the end. I use the filters anywhere from once to four times. More than once if I'm smoking the same blend and smoking the pipe multiple times that day. If I smoke the pipe once and then I'm done for the day I'll toss it. While they mostly just absorb moisture they do filter some of the smoke.
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