Suitable Solvents for Pipe Cleaning?

[pensivepiper]

Hello Smokers!

I'm wondering what some good solvents for cleaning my pipes are? I know grain alcohol is rather effective, and I've heard whiskey recommended, but I'm wondering if rubbing alcohol will be fine. I'm worried it might leave a gross taste behind. Any thoughts?

 

[goldsm]

As long as I know a pipe softner is good beside grain alcohol.

Also a mouth-wash fluid (non alcohol) works to clean and catch bad smells for bowl and stem.

 

[philobeddoe]

I would avoid mouthwash, as it would seem to taint the briar with minty freshness! I use everclear only, I was once told by a sage old pipe man that I should never clean my pipes with something I could not drink, seemed logical to me.

 

[pensivepiper]

I use everclear only, I was once told by a sage old pipe man that I should never clean my pipes with something I could not drink, seemed logical to me.

You drink Everclear? Your liver must be ravished!
goldsm, what is pipe softener?

 

[goldsm]

Pipe softner is a pipe refresher or clean & cure etc..

 

[jarit]

Pipe softner is a pipe refresher or clean & cure etc..

This is a first time I've heard of such a thing. I wouldn't want my pipe go soft.
Perhaps you mean pipe sweetener? I understand that they are alcohol solvents with added flavorings, such as mint or menthol. I wouldn't want to my pipe taste minty fresh either.
I personally use high proof, non-flavored potable alcohol.

 

[mikestanley]

We cannot get Everclear in Ohio. I have used 91% Isopropyl for years with no issues at all. The stuff evaporates pretty quickly. Once I talked a local Pharmacist into selling be medical grade, supposedly unflavored 90 something proof but I noticed zero difference between that and what is available at the counter. There is a big difference in water content between 100 proof and 91%. YMMV.

Mike S.

 

[tbradsim1]

At 70 my pipe is already soft. :rofl:

 

[oldredbeard]

:laughat:

At 70 my pipe is already soft. [:rofl:]

Bradley you made push ash out of my pipe when I read that post. 8O

 

[nsfisher]

I use Iso for years with no ill effects, it evaporates very quickly. Now that I have found "Pipe Masters Clean & Cure" I am liking it as a replacement for the day to day cleaning or refreshining. Still use Iso for the initial cleaning of Estates though.

 

[gray4lines]

Bacardi 151 is a good choice too. Anything that will evaporate quickly and not leave more gunk than it removes. I wouldn't hesitate to use 91% iso if I were out of Bacardi.

 

[oldredbeard]

I meant to post earlier that I've always used 91% ISO and never had any ill effects. It cleans really well and evaporates very quickly.

 

[irish]

@ Mr. Bradley !! :rofl: Damn!!!

 

[ugh457]

I have found success with Iso too.

 

[natibo]

I was once told by a sage old pipe man that I should never clean my pipes with something I could not drink, seemed logical to me.

For those, like myself, who cannot drink alcohol, this would severely limit the effective fluids we could use to clean pipes.

 

[lochinvar]

I use Graves Grain Alcohol (still 95% alcohol, Everclear dropped to 91%, and didn't drop the price). I've used the ISO and not really had anything wrong, but I figure if there is an alternative that is food grade/safe (which ISO isn't) why not use it. I tried 151 one time and besides being too weak at 75%, the taste combination of tobacco and 151 brought back too many harrowing spring break memories.

 

[tbradsim1]

Scar here in the US we've had to kiss ass so much in these last few years that putting our lips on a used pipe is a clean thing. :mrgreen:

 

[oldredbeard]

Scar here in the US we've had to kiss ass so much in these last few years that putting our lips on a used pipe is a clean thing.

 

[allan]

Brad
You are on fire!

 

[zekest]

I no longer use WD40 as the residue hinders the taste of the tobac.