Taste Issues with Wooden Pipe

[olkofri]

Well, guess I eventually ended up learning what a sour tasting pipe tastes like. I have this all wood churchwarden that just can't stop tasting like burnt wood in spite of having charred most of the chamber by now. Frustrating.

Anyways, I did my after smoke cleaning routine yesterday and left it out to dry, unassembled. I was putting it together to-day and before I fixed the stem to the stummel I drew through it. Argh! ? The air had a strong woodsy and sour taste. Guess it might not be so much the bowl as the stem.

Is there any way to fix this? Am I now in possession of a display pipe?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Is there any way to fix this?

Sounds like a PSO (pipe shaped object). To rectify, place under boot heal and crush.
All wood church warden... is this one of the LOTR pipes made out of regular wood?

 

[olkofri]

It's a MacQueen wizard, the briar version.

 

[tg51]

Sounds like a PSO (pipe shaped object). To rectify, place under boot heal and crush.
All wood church warden... is this one of the LOTR pipes made out of regular wood?

Sounds about right sadly.

 

[mso489]

There are a large number of fine churchwarden pipes at modest prices that you might like to consider instead of this one, and for those look to some of the more conventional brands and materials (briar). Two good examples are the Savinelli 601, fully arched traditional churchwarden, no filter, with a medium size bowl. SP has this, for example. A small churchwarden, also arched, that can give a full-length smoke with flake or plug (coin or rope) is the EWA, which I have only seen at Iwan Ries. These are shorter than many churchwardens but just as dramatic, and cost less than $40. Stick with briar ...cob, Meerschaum, morta. There are some "regular" woods that work, but you get them from selected carvers who know what they're doing. First get familiar with churchwardens made from the standard materials, if you haven't already.

 

[didimauw]

Well, guess I eventually ended up learning what a sour tasting pipe tastes like. I have this all wood churchwarden that just can't stop tasting like burnt wood in spite of having charred most of the chamber by now. Frustrating.

Anyways, I did my after smoke cleaning routine yesterday and left it out to dry, unassembled. I was putting it together to-day and before I fixed the stem to the stummel I drew through it. Argh! ? The air had a strong woodsy and sour taste. Guess it might not be so much the bowl as the stem.

Is there any way to fix this? Am I now in possession of a display pipe?

When you use the term charred, you mean literally charred? Like you burned the wood by smoking it too hot? Or do you mean charred like "caked up"?

 

[jpmcwjr]

What was the cleaning routine?
It would seem the stem is suspect. How long is it?

Can you jury rig another stem and give it a go?

 

[olkofri]

When you use the term charred, you mean literally charred? Like you burned the wood by smoking it too hot? Or do you mean charred like "caked up"?

This is the present state of the bowl:

What was the cleaning routine?
It would seem the stem is suspect. How long is it?

Can you jury rig another stem and give it a go?

Nope, I'm not a woodworker. Such procedures are beyond me. And yes, I think it's the stem. I was thinking if there was some way to coat it or something.

Also, buying a new 'warden is not in my short term plans, especially after I just placed an order for a new Brigham.

 

[olkofri]

What was the cleaning routine?
It would seem the stem is suspect. How long is it?

The cleaning routine was the usual: wait till it's cool, empty the bowl, detach the stummel, use the spoon on the Czech tool to scrape off remnants of tobacco/dottle and ash, run pipe cleaners through channels, wipe the bowl with bent pipe cleaners, use saliva and paper towel to thoroughly wipe the bowl till the towel comes (mostly) clean and the chamber is neither ashy nor sticky, scrub gently the draught hole with a stem brush, and use compressed air to blow it. Then, run long pipe cleaners through stem, insert a stem brush on both ends and scrub gently, blow the lux of the stem with compressed air.

I must note that the cleaners never run from one end to the other with this stem; maybe the bent or something makes them eventually get stuck past the halfway point, so I have to take them out and insert then on the opposite end.

The stem is 13" long.

 

[Casual]

If you’re looking for a replacement, I can vouch for the Vauen Auenland series churchwardens. The stems are apparently acrylic inside, but sheathed in beech so you get that wooden look without the trouble.

 

[olkofri]

If you’re looking for a replacement, I can vouch for the Vauen Auenland series churchwardens. The stems are apparently acrylic inside, but sheathed in beech so you get that wooden look without the trouble.

Thanks! That was another question I had but didn't post. I was hoping the Cap'n would comment on whether his Auenland(s) have this issue, as I do want to buy an Auenland eventually.

 

[Casual]

Thanks! That was another question I had but didn't post. I was hoping the Cap'n would comment on whether his Auenland(s) have this issue, as I do want to buy an Auenland eventually.

Mine is too young to tell, only a few bowls through it. But the cleaners seem to pass very smoothly, like acrylic. Fantastic pipe, although I recommend going searching for deals on it. Pricey pipe at the usual suspects.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The stems are apparently acrylic inside, but sheathed in beech so you get that wooden look without the trouble.

That is indeed the case.

I was hoping the Cap'n would comment on whether his Auenland(s) have this issue, as I do want to buy an Auenland eventually.

No issue at all. Though no longer in my collection, the three I had smoked like any other pipe. No off flavors and easy clean up.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Fantastic pipe, although I recommend going searching for deals on it.

I got the three I had back in 2015 for $95 (Friddo), $135 (Hugg), and $130 (Doran).