A question for those of you who have Savinelli pipes made to accept the 6mm balsa filter and generally prefer to smoke them without using a filter.
Do you use a step down adapter fitted in place or prefer to leave the adapter out and draw more open?
Smoking Savinelli Filter Pipes Without Filter: Adapter or Not?
- Thread starter peregrinus
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A question for those of you who have Savinelli pipes made to accept the 6mm balsa filter and generally prefer to smoke them without using a filter.
Do you use a step down adapter fitted in place or prefer to leave the adapter out and draw more open?
I use a Dunhill 9mm filter pipe without filter nor adapter with very good results. It produces a dry smoke and is in fact one of my best smokers. The mechanics of it are probably quite similar to what they call a reverse calabash?
Just make sure to clean out the filter chamber well after each smoke, because that's where the moisture collects.
Just make sure to clean out the filter chamber well after each smoke, because that's where the moisture collects.
Adapter out.
They are too much to clean. Stuff gets in the seams, so you end up taking them out to be thorough.
They don’t fit perfectly, either, and can actually prevent a pipe cleaner from passing if they don’t match up perfectly.
They are too much to clean. Stuff gets in the seams, so you end up taking them out to be thorough.
They don’t fit perfectly, either, and can actually prevent a pipe cleaner from passing if they don’t match up perfectly.
Now that you mention it, I do have a great smoking Dunhill that was designed to accommodate a 9mm filter and never used an adapter.
Yes, thank you.
The extra cleaning and added difficulty passing a cleaner were my particular concerns.
They smoke fine with or without. The adapters have a slight taper and don't work well when used backwards. There's even a 3mm-1mm adapter on older Savinellis.
Good to know, I did not realize this important detail!
I think it depends on the pipe and your preference, so try it both ways with any particular pipe and find what suits you. Some filter pipes smoked without a filter get a little too turbulent in the airway, and mix too much air with the smoke, but most give you a nice open draw with no problem. Likewise, an adapter can give you a nice even draw, or might be a little more restrictive than you like, though this is rarely the case. All my adaptors accept a pipe cleaner with a little turning and jiggling. I have one 9 mm filter pipe (an Austrian Kemberling bent Rhodesian) that smokes well without a filter. Try around and you will find the way that suits you to a 'T'.
I eventually stopped buying filter pipes knowing those areas where the filter goes collects moisture. I do agree that filter pipes with no filter can smoke exceptionally well and do require more attention to clean. On that note more open draws tend to smoke better. Hence why higher end pipes tend to have more open draws. IMHO
Another vote for no filter, no adapter. I use a tapered pipe cleaner in the event it starts to collect moisture mid smoke. I also spend a little more time on the monthly pipe cleanings (more like whenever I get a chance) and bend an Everclear soaked pipe cleaner and really work the filter chamber to make sure I get the sour smokey juices out of the area. Other than a bit of extra maintenance (an extra minute or two) it is no different than any other pipe maintenance.
I have 3 meers designed to accommodate filters but always smoke them filterless which works well for me...nice open draw. Restricted draws are a common problem...especially with meers.
All these years and I never knew that one side was tapered. Thx ?
I only found out myself a few years ago, and that was completely on accident.
Not a fan of modern savinellis because the adapter is okay at best, and I hated cleaning the chamber if I didn't use it.
Cobs without adapters are way too open for me as well
Cobs without adapters are way too open for me as well
I don't use an adapter or a filter. I will say though that of all the filters with various manufacturers, I like the balsa ones from Sav the best.
My issue is that I like to clean my pipe immediately after smoking and filters tend to get in the way of a pipe cleaner. I don't want to break it down while it is still hot.
My issue is that I like to clean my pipe immediately after smoking and filters tend to get in the way of a pipe cleaner. I don't want to break it down while it is still hot.
That’s why I don’t care for the filter. I do use the adapter, and you can still run a pipe cleaner through the pipe without breaking it down.
Just my 2 cents. If a Sav is fit for a filter, I use a filter - But if you don't use a filter, I would use an adapter. I find the pipe draws better. The air passage is too large in my opinion without it. Of course, the adapter comes with a host of problems as others have mentioned (they get gunky at the edges rather quickly).