Shank Cleaning

[garageb08]

Hey all, need a few tips or so on shank cleaning. I have cleaning the bowl down pretty good I think. Just would like to clean out he shank better. I believe the dirty shank has a lot to do with the ghosts of tabaccos past. He He. Plus it has fuzz and what not from pipe cleaners and Q-tips. I thought about using a copper brush similiar to that of a gun cleaning kit about .22 cal. But I don't want to damage the interior of the shank. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Its probably something simple but seem to miss those ideas the most. :roll:

 

[sjpipesmoker]

I have some soft bristle Brushes that I use, but I would say no to the copper brush as that may scrape the inside and make it easier for the tobacco juice to get in there

 

[ravkesef]

Here's what you need: a shank brush (it's made for that purpose,)and bristle pipe cleaners, both regular and tapered. The tapered ones will be especially helpful. And now the kicker: dip the aforementioned in grain alcohol, available in many states at most liquor stores. it's sold under the brand name Everclear, among others. it's 190 proof and it really does the job in cleaning out the gunk. Just keep running your bristled pipe cleaners (or shank brush) dipped in grain alcohol and scrub away, until they come out clean.

If your state doesn't sell grain alcohol, buy the highest proof vodka you can find.

When you finish, you can run a cleaner dipped in bourbon or Irish whiskey, to leave a nice taste behind, although I've found that the grain alcohol works just fine for that purpose.

then, to keep the problem from recurring, clean your pipes each and every time you smoke them. It really doesn't take long for a pipe to get fouled up, and keeping them clean as you go will go a long way toward ensuring the kind of smoke you want to get.

I know--I've been doing it for over 50 years, and some of my pipes have been with me that long and taste just as good--and better--than when I got them.

 

[gmwolford]

I agree the copper or brass brushes are a no-no. But they do sell nylon bristle gun cleaning brushes and they'll do the trick. .22 & .243 are the most useful IMO for shanks.

 

[ejames]

And if you can't get Everclear--91% Isopropyl Alcohol will do the job nicely.

 

[ravkesef]

the isopropryl will certainly do the job in an excellent fashion as far as cleaning the pipe, but I prefer to use something that's food grade. To be sure, any residue from the isopropyl won't kill you, nor will it make you ill, but it will certainly taste yucky.

 

[ejames]

I have never noticed a bad taste from it.

 

[will]

I use Isopropyl on all my pipes and it does not impart any taste at all that I ever noticed.

I don't require my dishwashing soap to be anything that I would consume either and never had any problems there.

Everclear and 151 are a bit too pricey for me to do my routine cleaning on my pipes.

 

[cortezattic]

For the wood shank, disposable mascara wands work well for me.

 

[ssjones]

I find cleaning the shank well does eliminate ghosts and I spend some time doing this. I have some nylon bristle brushes we get with our condiment pumps and repurpose. Those mascara brushes do look handy!

 

[clyde]

Don't want to post website name but a number of e-tailers sell pipe shank brushes in various sizes and tapers, also a kit so you have enough sizes to cover all your pipes. They are not throw aways either. Agree that isopropyl alcohol works fine, it is enexpensive and over 93 percent pure. It evaporates quickly and what little water is in it dries out quickly. I seldom if ever use a pipe cleaner after each smoke but definitely keep the shank area clean, with special attention to the space between the mortise and tenon pin. However each to his own.

 

[colcolt]

Everclear and 151 are a bit too pricey for me to do my routine cleaning on my pipes.

190 proof(denatured) is excellent for cleaning pinch rollers on cassette decks and heads(if you still have one) I still have a bottle of it I used for that purpose years ago. I've used it for cleaning shanks and the stems. Gets out lots of gooey stuff.

 

[johnny]

Isopropyl alcohol and bristle cleaners or a shank brush. The shank brushes are available at 4noggins (where I got mine)

 

[garageb08]

thanks guys, I'm going to look for the mascara brushes. I love how little things can cross over and be used for other things...sometimes better than their original purpose. I use vodka, 151, and everclear. This is Louisville...we are very wet!!!!!! :D

 

[mikemacrdlnds]

If there is a Sephora Makeup store near you, you can get them free. My wife gets me a hand full every time she is in there.

 

[mkelaw]

The standard shank brush is a little too soft for my taste. I don't know for sure but I suspect a mascara brush is pretty soft too. I've been getting spiral nylon brushes from my local Ace Hardware for years and they work perfectly. They're a bit stiffer than the usual shank brush. The smallest one sold is just about perfect for an airway that's 4 MM and a bit smaller.