Sweetening meerschaum?

[clopy9]

I am the recently proud owner of a new beautiful meerschaum. However, knowing how porous meerschaum is, I have some concerns about cleaning it. My main concern is that it is beginning to get a sour taste. I've re-sweetened my corncob and my billiard before (with rum) without issue. However, I'm very concerned about doing anything to damage my meerschaum, and don't want to risk ruining it or affecting it's coloring. Is there anything I can do to sweeten it? Or should I just be a little more thorough with my pipe cleaners?

 

[pipeinhand]

Grain alcohol, a tissue and a good fuzzy pipe cleaner. It works in all my meer's. Wipe, dry and let it sit.

 

[ace57]

I have a old Meer that tasted bad after cleaning and just could not get the bad yuk out of it so being that I like vanilla I dumped some cooking vanilla in it and let it soak in. worked vary well for Me.

 

[clopy9]

So the alcohol (or even vanilla, I like that idea!) won't damage the meerschaum, or prevent it from aging/coloring?

 

[tokerpipes]

The meer colors from the oils in the tobacco anyway. Vanilla is a type of oil in its own self. and the grain alcohal is good for cleaning any pipe. just dont lett it soak in the meer. It will destroy it.
Oh and make sure to polish the meer with bees wax it will draw the coloing out faster and evenly so it will be a beautiful pipe in no time.

 

[pipeinhand]

Nice idea Ace.

 

[ace57]

The vanilla tasted vary nice and didn't harm the pipe at all, it's coloring well.

 

[uberam3rica]

I dumped some cooking vanilla in it and let it soak in

I like that idea. Most exacts are almost pure alcohol. try tasting some vanilla extract sometime. It will burn your mouth

 

[clopy9]

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate your help, and I'm REALLY excited to try using flavor extracts! Just one last question for the moment: how long should I let the pipe sit with the alcohol or extract in the bowl?
Thanks again!

 

[tokerpipes]

I would just wipe it. Meer will start to break down with too much moisture, even if you are soaking with alcohol.

 

[spartan]

It would do you some good to read this article as well.
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/the-meerschaum-pipe-experience/
Read all of this man's articles. They are great.
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/slave-to-the-white-goddess/
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/the-thrill-of-the-hunt-a-guide-to-estate-meerschaums/

 

[martiniman]

what is the best source for beeswax? All is see has added materials, mineral oil, carnuba wax......