Should I NOT Clean A New Pipe During Break-In, So The Cake Builds?

[namuna]

All my pipes, thusfar, are new and going through a break-in process.
So the purpose of the break-in is to build the cake, but I've also read that a good cleaning regimen is to let your pipe cool (at least overnight) and then use the pipe cleaners through the stem/shank and clean out the bowl with some kind of high-alcohol content cleaner (like 91% Isopropyl Alcohol) or even high-proof liquor using a rag or paper towels.
In doing so, aren't I cleaning out the very thing I want to build-up though, the cake? Or is the cake already "burned in" to the bowl as I smoke and the cleaning is just to remove residual other crap?
Thanks.

 

[northernneil]

The alcohol cleaning would, in my opinion, be more for the shank and stem rather than the bowl. People's opinions will vary on this, but using a alcohol based cleaner in the bowl would only be required on the rare occasion.
The key to breaking in a new pipe is patience. I think it is better to keep a clean pipe and have the breakin period take longer than to try and maintain a dirty pipe to try and expedite the breakin time. Again, everyone will have a different strategy for this.

 

[4dotsasieni]

It's important to keep your pipes clean at all times, including the break-in period. Just do the following:
After each smoke, let the pipe cool. Take a twisted sheet of paper towel, and lightly wipe the inside of the bowl. Then, remove the stem, using a turning, not pulling, motion (or, if you can run a pipe cleaner into the bowl without removing the stem, leave it on). Run a pipe cleaner or two through the stem until it comes out clean (without using any chemicals). If you've removed the stem, do the same with the shank. Then rest the pipe for a day or as many days as your pipe rotation will allow before smoking it again.
This will keep the pipe clean and sweet-smoking, while still allowing cake to build.

 

[judcole]

You still want to run cleaners through the stem.

I have never heard about using alcohol on the bowl on a regular basis. You might do that if you purchased an estate pipe, and need to remove the old cake.

Likewise, running cleaners with alcohol through the stem periodically helps clean more thoroughly, but you don't need to do that after every smoke.

 

[mso489]

I think 4dot and roth have it right. Follow their regime and you'll do fine. I'm even more minimalist, but I'm not pushing it.

I doubt I do a break down and alcohol cleaning every 12-15 smokes. It depends on how the pipe is doing. I don't like to

remove the stem anymore than I have to. But do clean out the bowl every time with a paper towel or tissue. I don't think a

thick cake is helpful. I go with a cake that is thinner than a dime, and it's been fine for 40 plus years. I also never have to

use a reamer. Often pipers do more damage than good with these.

 

[namuna]

Thanks for the clarification folks, it all makes a little more sense now.

 

[jkenp]

Pipes as opposed to cigars and cigarettes takes on a complexity. Need is often a function of the person involved. If I need to clean a pipe more than normal, I soak a cleaner with bourbon or brandy and first wipe the bowl to impart some of the fluid. Then I place the cleaner in the stem and leave it for a fair period of time.
I don't do this very often. If I've used the pipe hard I might create the need. Most of the time there is no souring that would require it. If you were to smoke a pipe often, it brings on the need.
Some are very precise, as you see. I'm not. I keep the tobacco fairly dry and have a dozen pipes I rotate through. Using a cleaner, for me, is haphazard. I have not discerned a problem.
Cake is a function of time, heat, type of tobacco. Some blends build cake better, harder, faster than others. Even if you smoke one that isn't "superior" at it, it makes no difference. You enjoy the tobacco and it is up to the pipe to conform with less, little or lots of cake.
My suggestion is to enjoy your pipes and just mildly watch out for problems. Problems like burn outs or souring are seldom encountered. If you like a blend that "ghosts" (leaves an after taste) then devote pipe or pipes to that blend. I smoke mostly Virginias -- some with Perique -- and those are mild in what they leave behind. So, I don't devote pipes to blends.
Remember, you are smoking for your enjoyment. That means the smoking should make you happy. The goal here isn't to make a pipe happy. They really are accommodating chunks of wood.

 

[cigrmaster]

Keeping your pipes clean at all times will give you a much better shot at getting a good smoke each time you light up.
My procedure for cleaning my pipes is as follows. I let my pipes cool over night then break the pipe down. I will take one or 2 fluffy cleaners depending on size of the bowl and wipe the inside of the bowl and then blow through the shank. I then take either one or 2 brislte cleaners again depending on the size of the shank, double them over and run them through the shank, first twisting them and then running them back and forth. I will continue with the bristle cleaners until they come out clean. I then take one or two bristle cleaners and run them through the stem. I then take one or two fluffy cleaners and run those through the stem. Many of my pipes have stems that can take two cleaners and some of my pipes have a shank diameter greater than 4mm which can handle two cleaners doubled over through the shanks.
For deep cleanings I use Everclear, shank brush, bristle and fluffy cleaners along with Obidisian Stem Oil and pretty much do the same as above. I have never or will I ever use anything that is not drinkable on my pipes. Isopropyl alcohol has never touched one of my pipes. I also never rub the inside of my bowls with any type of alcohol. When needed I will take a pipe knife( thanks roth) and use that to scrap and even out my cake. I used to use my Senior reamer for this but took roths suggestion of the pipe knife and like how that works better. I will do a deep cleaning every 10-15 bowls or so.

 

[piperl12]

Yes to all above, I have used Isopropyl alcohol in a pinch but usually it gets whatever Whiskey I happen to have in the cupboard. Usually Irish.

 

[ssjones]

I'm a paper towel, bowl-wipe guy on every smoke, along with a cleaner thru the stem. But, in breaking in a new or refurbished estate, I skip the bowl wipe for at least 6 bowls. I used my tamper spoon to work the fine ash all the way around the bowl, run a cleaner thru the stem. I dump out the loose ash and just lightly blow out the bowl thru the stem. Once the cake starts developing, I keep it thin with the paper towel after every bowl. I too rarely need to use a reamer (I can't remember when I used it last).

 

[bryanf]

I just ream my pipe every month. Did it last night in fact. Doesn't bother me. Other than that, pipe cleaner or two each day. I ream when I can't fit enough tobacco in there. I used to wait until it closed up, but now I don't let it go so far.