Smoking A Meer?

[puffy]

I bought a meer a while back.I haven't smoked it yet because to be honest I've never smoked one before and I was afraid I would do something wrong and ruin it.I guess what I'm asking here is what do I do after I smoke a bowl in it.

 

[frennchy11]

I always let it cool then wipe the inside of the bowl down with a paper towel. Other than that just clean it like you would any other pipe.

 

[topd]

, this may not reach full agreement from the crowd, but this is what I do. Let it cool and

run a pipe cleaner or two through it, then I double over the cleaner to rub out the bowl. I touch

the bowl (meer) as little as possible. I usually hold it with a tissue or paper towel while cleaning.

Load her up and go again.

 

[baronsamedi]

Pretty much what TopD said.

 

[foggymountain]

You don't have to do anything different from smoking a briar except to be careful with the pipecleaners and the tool you use to empty it. Meerschaum is easily carved, so care should be taken not to poke a hole in the bottom.

 

[sherlock]

I agree with foggymountain, it's not much different the smoking a briar. I have also found that my meerschaums can take heat a little better the briar, but this may be because they tend to cool faster for me.

 

[nsfisher]

I agree with TopD as well. Only difference is, I am not so careful about touching it with my bare hands.

 

[baronsamedi]

I've gotten better about it. I make sure my hands are clean and if I touch the bowl while its hot, I wipe it with a cloth.

 

[photoman13]

I just ream with a paper towel and clean the shank and stem with a dry pipe cleaner. I just make sure my hands are clean before touching it. The meer can apparently absorb the grease from your hands.

 

[baronsamedi]

Just smoke it, Puffy. Keep it out of the dirt or the laundry and you'll be OK!

 

[meerschaumsteve]

Good advice here.
Also remember that meerschaums are coated with wax to protect them, so while the pipe is warm/hot, that wax is softer, and can also absorb any oils or bits of dirt from your hands. While the pipe is hot be gentle if your handling the meerschaum part, don't squeeze hard, make sure your hands are clean. I also believe you should never use liquid cleaners of any sort in a meerschaum, they will be absorbed into the stone and might ruin its coloring ability.