Well stated! sable writes the bare truth, keep it simple and enjoy the pipe. Do not let the pipe take control of your, otherwise enjoyable, experience.
Tar Buildup in Chamber
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Saw this thread pop up in my email, and as the original poster, thought I would give a follow up on what I determined to be the problem and how I solved it.
As discussed in my last post to the thread, humidity was the main culprit. My pipes were simply not drying out. Humidity in the 90s is common in my area during the summer. In addition, I was storing my pipes in a cool basement, and we generally don't run the AC if we can help it during the summer (because AC is slippery slope to sloth, decadence, weakness, etc.), and well, everything stays moist including the tobacco that I was trying to dry out.
During the summer, after I finish smoking a pipe and it cools down, I store it in an airtight container (50 cal ammo can) for 2 to 3 days with a canister of desiccant. I will take the pipe back out after that period so that the briar doesn't dry out too far. In some cases, if I don't smoke the pipe for a week or two after taking it out of the can, the cake will start to get a bit gummy again due to the humidity. If I can plan in advance, I'll pop the pipe back in the ammo can a day in advance of smoking it.
As for drying out tobacco, either I'll microwave it for 10 secs or leave it out in direct sunlight, and that usually works.
As discussed in my last post to the thread, humidity was the main culprit. My pipes were simply not drying out. Humidity in the 90s is common in my area during the summer. In addition, I was storing my pipes in a cool basement, and we generally don't run the AC if we can help it during the summer (because AC is slippery slope to sloth, decadence, weakness, etc.), and well, everything stays moist including the tobacco that I was trying to dry out.
During the summer, after I finish smoking a pipe and it cools down, I store it in an airtight container (50 cal ammo can) for 2 to 3 days with a canister of desiccant. I will take the pipe back out after that period so that the briar doesn't dry out too far. In some cases, if I don't smoke the pipe for a week or two after taking it out of the can, the cake will start to get a bit gummy again due to the humidity. If I can plan in advance, I'll pop the pipe back in the ammo can a day in advance of smoking it.
As for drying out tobacco, either I'll microwave it for 10 secs or leave it out in direct sunlight, and that usually works.
Thanks for the followup. I hope your RH is way down in the Winter, so you don't have to go through so many steps!
Do you have a de-humidfier? A bit less decadent than a/c....
Do you have a de-humidfier? A bit less decadent than a/c....
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