Tip: Clearing Stubborn Clogs

[brass]

On occasion, a bit of tobacco will clog the airway of one of my pipes. They can sometimes be hard to reach with a pipe tool, especially if it is a lovat or Canadian with long shank.
I've discovered an easy way to clear those stubborn clogs. I simply take a lighter or match, and draw the flame down in the empty bowl. The heat will immolate the bit of tobacco, freeing the airway, within a second or two. Hope this helps someone down the line. It has certainly saved me some aggravation.

 

[aldecaker]

Good tip, Brass. A couple of times I have had to resort to using a piece of double-twisted 0.020" safety wire to clear an airway.

 

[mcitinner1]

How does that feel on the throat? Kind of hot?

 

[captainprophesy]

Why not just stick a pipe cleaner all the way through?

 

[JimInks]

I take a bristle pipe cleaner, dip it in Vodka, and run it though. That works for me.

 

[philobeddoe]

If a pipe cleaner won't get something out, I use the drill bit on the end of my Senior reamer, but I've only had to do this maybe two or three times in twenty years of pipe smoking.

 

[mcitinner1]

Loose fuzz from pipe cleaners is the biggest cause of clogs in my experience.

 

[aristokles]

I take a bristle pipe cleaner, dip it in Vodka, and run it though. That works for me.

I do this except I add a "sip the vodka" in there somewhere.