Settle This Cobtroversy - Cob Controversy

[Grangerous]

There exists a certain “Cob Controversy” that perhaps our members can chew on.

Now I don’t wish to mention anyone by name, but his initials are “Shermnatman”

Anyway, Shermnatman...swears by the “honey method” and has opined that either “maple syrup or honey” —must be used to coat the interior and rim of a new cob and allowed to set for 24 hours prior to smoking.

Grangerous... believes that doing so “defeats the purpose”—preventing the cob’s porous material (corn) from absorbing moisture as genuine Meerschaum would.

Who is right?

Grangerous... believes the honey method will build cake and that a cake is not for Meerschaum or for Missouri Meerschaum.

Shermnatman... swears by the honey method as it imparts sweetness and a great smoke.

Oh —-Shermnatman smokes dirty pipes. —just thought I’d mention it.

 

[FurCoat]

I don't use the honey method on cobs but do so with new briars. Right or wrong, it is part of my ritual.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I've never used honey on a new cob. Never thought to do so nor felt like I ever needed to. Perhaps I should give it a try on my next cob and see what happens. Maybe I'm missing out on something good?

 

[ray47]

Get two cobs and experiment and let us know. So far as building cake in cobs.....some do it and some don't. As for me, I DON"T. It's all very personal.

 

[shanez]

Neither?

 

[bullet08]

Cob, I'm new to cob, should be treated like Ford (Found On Road Dead).

 

[Chasing Embers]

I would never allow or encourage carbon buildup in a meer or cob.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Cob, I'm new to cob, should be treated like Ford (Found On Road Dead).

You misspelled Dunhill.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

The honey method is absurd to me. On the surface, it sounds like it should be beneficial and make the pipe smoke sweet. Reality is the sugars in the honey will turn into a very fragile carbon that will serve little long term benefit to the pipe and it's owner. Also, why? I've found no issue ever with building cake. It is an irritant more than anything.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Never added honey or other to line the interior of a bowl. Never had a problem. However, although I personally don’t find it necessary to do so, I don’t presume to think it’d cause any harm. ?‍️

 

[ChuckMijo]

Lots of people do that. I don’t know if it’s better or not. I believe @ray47 was right on. You tell us

 

[alaskanpiper]

I don't put on honey on anything that isn't food.

 

[Grangerous]

Cob, I'm new to cob, should be treated like Ford (Found On Road Dead).

First On Race Day —and remember— T’is easier for a raised Ford Truck to pass a low parking garage, than for the driver of any GMC or Dodge, while smokin a honeyed-up-Cob, to pass thru the gates of Heaven.

 

[Grangerous]

I don't put on honey on anything that isn't food.

I have ?... she loved it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have ?... she loved it.

Cannibals would disagree.

 

[verporchting]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Hopefully this doesn’t run afoul of the English only rule since it’s a classic maxim. If so I apologize!

Just means, "In matters of taste, there can be no disputes".

 

[Cotton1]

Never tried it. I am trying a bowl of Plumb Pudding in my Charlestowne Cobbler as I type this though... tasty.

I need to replace my Country Gentleman. When I get around to that I may just get two and apply the Honey to one and leave the other unmolested as Ray suggested.

Is the honey treatment supposed to good for all types of blends or does it matter?

 

[Grangerous]

Lots of people do that. I don’t know if it’s better or not. I believe @ray47 was right on. You tell us

Chuck,
I’d hate to ruin a cob to confirm what I’m pretty sure would be the result, a blackened interior.

The cob pictured above has had three bowls smoked and it’s interior is still clean and yellow and smells fresh. It smokes unbelievably well.

Had I “coated it” the result would be ash build up, instant darkening and it would be on its way to a soft cake and a loss of any ability to absorb moisture.

However.... Shermnatman is mailing me a “honeyed up, unsmoked MM” because he so wants to be “right” —-the emotional attachment he has for sticky new Cobs is strong with him.

I will report back.

 

[verporchting]

I will say I have a Savinelli Miele pipe that was treated with honey at the factory and it was a delight to smoke during break in! Loved it! For added honey-ness I smoked Sun Bear in it exclusively for several months. Very acceptable.

 

[verporchting]

I propose an experiment - two cobs for two months! One with honey treatment and one without. Both of you smoke a pipe each way and compare results at the end! Same model cob, pick your leaf as you will. To accommodate differences in smokers each should equally smoke one of each cob. It means doubling your smoking intake but ... it’s for science men, suck it up!!!