Stem cleaning.

[CBailey]

Just curious. I’ve smoked a pipe for the 40 years and broke in many. But the one thing that has puzzled me. How long after smoking a new pipe do you run the cleaner down the stem? My youngest boy asked me and I couldn’t answer and felt lost.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Just curious. I’ve smoked a pipe for the 40 years and broke in many. But the one thing that has puzzled me. How long after smoking a new pipe do you run the cleaner down the stem? My youngest boy asked me and I couldn’t answer and felt lost.

In my ~45 years of smoking a pipe…. the answer I would give in all honesty is….. when it feels like it would be helpful to do so.

In other words, no real set time.

For me, on an average pipe, I might run one through BEFORE trying it out the first time to identify if there are any constrictions in the stem that would make a pipe cleaner difficult to use. But if I had no reason to suspect that possibility, probably after a third or fourth bowlful is what I usually do.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

immediately
why would you abstain?

 

[xrundog]

I break a pipe down and swab the parts after it’s cooled down. Some pipes, a cleaner comes out pretty dirty after one smoke.

 

[dottlejockey]

I think it's a good idea to run a cleaner through them often. I find that if this is done after each smoke it keeps the job EZ. 95% of my pipes get the cleaner from bit to bowl w/o removing the stem, so no real hassle there. I prefer to do it warm as well to get the juice from the bottom of the bowl, if any, before it dries in. With this method it is very rare that i encounter souring and much less deep cleans with alcohol are necessary.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

warm is new for me
I usually let it cool but I may try it

 

[dottlejockey]

warm is new for me
I usually let it cool but I may try it

Indeed, try it! Gets more gunk. I would only let it cool if it's necessary to remove the stem. Otherwise, i dump it (when it's done), and swab it out in a jiffy before considering the next object of my desire. Simple part of the smoking process as far as i'm concerned. I prefer preventative methods and things that are ez now as opposed to more involved later when neglected.

 

[CBailey]

Thanks all. I usually clean it after it cools down but while breaking in a pipe I know the juices help with the cake that builds up. Once broke in is when I’m less concerned. I clean when ever I have whiskey to clean with.
Thank you all you have been very helpful to find my answer for my boy!

 

[Bbailey324]

I'm likely to have run a pipe cleaner through a new pipe before smoking it. Also entirely possible that I will do so again at some point during the first bowl. Past that I generally give them a swabbing out after every smoke, generally without removing the stem unless otherwise prompted.

 

[LeafErikson]

I mostly smoke meerschaums and don’t use pipe cleaners very often. If the draw gets constricted I slap the open chamber against my palm (with the chamber facing up like normal) to loosen the pack. Any moisture gets blown back into the chamber when I dump the pipe.

I’m not sure why a new pipe would be any different? I generally check whether or not a new pipe passes a cleaner before I light it up. It’s not a deal breaker for me on meers but likely would be on a briar.

 

[CBailey]

You all have been great!
I love this forum.
It’s new to me.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I mostly smoke meerschaums and don’t use pipe cleaners very often. If the draw gets constricted I slap the open chamber against my palm (with the chamber facing up like normal) to loosen the pack. Any moisture gets blown back into the chamber when I dump the pipe.

I’m not sure why a new pipe would be any different? I generally check whether or not a new pipe passes a cleaner before I light it up. It’s not a deal breaker for me on meers but likely would be on a briar.

Seeing how nicely your meers move along, I may start giving your technique a whirl.

To the OP-I run a cleaner through after every smoke. My habit is bit to bowl, then flip around to clean end and run in from bit to about the mortise, favoring one side and then the other about halfway through the stroke. If stem seemed wet or I got drooly, I’ll then fold the cleaner to a tight “v” and push the point of the bend into the slot to get everything.
Sometimes during a smoke if I get heavy handed tamping or some other way clog the draft hole.
Stems and shank get cleaned with Everclear about every ten smokes or so I’d say.

 

[kcghost]

I've always run the pipe cleaner through the stem immediately after smoking.

 

[Sigmund]

I do it when I get to it. If I smoke a non filtered pipe I prefer right after. Warm is good for cleaning. I usually use 9mm filters and clean it later. I do clean them every time but they really dont need it. The gunk and moisture is in the filter. I can use the same pipe cleaner literally all week for the stem and then its still not that filthy but eventually I give them a toss. On the stummel I use white elephant textured/brush filters. Of course those get dirty pretty quick.

 

[fireground_piper]

Unless I get distracted, immediately after finishing the bowl. Easier to clean out.

 

[Briarcutter]

I rarely remove the stem but use pipe cleaners when ever I feel the need.

 

[AroEnglish]

Right after the smoke. If it can't go all the way through to the chamber then I'll do the draft hole in the stummel after the pipe has cooled down.

 

[Oddball]

Random for me. Sometimes I will do it mid smoke to clean out moisture and sometimes I will smoke a pipe 5-10 times before I remember to clean. I typically will clean before the next smoke vs after the last one.

 

[PApiper63]

I'm in the habit of running a paper towel through the bowl and then running a pipe climber through the stem. That seems to do the trick. I usually do that after every smoke.

 

[jpmcwjr]

A brand new pipe, first smoke? Before loading, I'll flush the bowl and stem with water, then dry with paper towel and pipe cleaner. From then on, it's by taste and feel.