Unpleasant Smell in a Ceramic Pipe

[Arqavan]

Hi everybody,

I am a lower-intermediate pipe smoker (so to speak) and got my third pipe last week which is a super beautiful ceramic pipe. Everything has been fine with this pipe so far and it smokes just perfectly; the only problem I have is that the bowl has got a kind of unpleasant smell which gets amplified and more noticeable after the first 15 minutes of a smoke. I have four questions and it would be great if you guys can help me with any of them:

1. Do you see such a smell as a normal thing for a ceramic pipe that goes away in time? If yes, how long do you think it is gonna take?

2. Can this smell be possibly caused by a harmful chemical used in the manufacturing of the pipe? I mean, do ceramic pipes require any kind of chemical treatment in their manufacturing that can cause any serious health problems? (I must mention that this pipe of mine is not coated)

3. Is developing a carbon cake suggested for ceramic pipes?

4. What do you guys think of gently applying aromatic essential oils on the inner surface of the bowl and shank of this pipe for eliminating this odor?

Cheers,
Arqavan

 

[bullet08]

Don't know anyone using ceramic pipe. Usually for tobacco use, they are briar, cob or meer. I guess it's possible to smoke out of ceramic pipe, but sounds like it would get super hot.

 

[Arqavan]

Don't know anyone using ceramic pipe. Usually for tobacco use, they are briar, cob or meer. I guess it's possible to smoke out of ceramic pipe, but sounds like it would get super hot.

Thanks for the reply! It was exactly what I thought before buying this ceramic pipe, but, believe it or not, I have had some of my coolest ever smokes with it, and it does not get hotter than my high-end Italian briar pipes. I am copying the link of the pipe below if you want to have a look.

https://www.amazon.ca/MUXIANG-Ceramic-tobacco-Acrlyic-Mouthpiece/dp/B07BQDCZ82

 

[bullet08]

1. It's Chinese made pipe. 2. Said don't soak it with alcohol. 3. It's indicated as porcelain, not ceramic.

Not too familiar with Chinese made pipes. However, I usually stay away from them. Who know what was used to make them? Porcelain is rather dense, so I don't think it's something from tobacco being absorbed while smoking. But there must be some chance of things getting picked by the porcelain. Alcohol to cleaning the pipe is not suggested.

Then what's causing the unpleasant smell after awhile. 1. Possibly what was used to make the pipe. 2. Possibly the pipe needs to be cleaned more thoroughly as in completely disassembled and every surface completely cleaned.

 

[jndyer]

Below is a quote from that pipe listing:

• Six monthes Warranty :If there is any quality within 6 monthes, it will be exchanged free of charge.

I about spit out my beer from sheer unadulterated mirth when I read, "if there is any quality within 6 monthes..." I guess this manufacture would be highly disappointed if in the first months of owning the pipe you happen to notice any quality. Anything more that complete garbage will promptly exchanged for free.

 

[OzPiper]

I have one porcelain pipe - a Royal Copenhagen
It smokes very neutral, like clays.

My porcelain pipe, like clays and meerschaums do not have a bowl coating.
There is no need to maintain a layer of cake.
Cleaning out the bowl with doubled over cleaner(s) and a scrunched up paper towel after a smoke is all that's required.

What you describe can be caused by impurities in the materials used in making the pipe.

I suggest you clean out the internal of the shank and stem.
Alcohol soaked cleaner is OK with the shank.
Do not use alcohol if the stem is acrylic. Liquid soap and water works well.

I have used alcohol soaked cotton balls to deep clean my porcelain bowl.
Absolutely no problem if you dry it properly for at least 24hrs before smoking again.

 

[verporchting]

I have an American made ceramic pipe that smokes very nicely and is quite cool but never any weird taste or smells - unless it’s dirty.

Never use alcohol to clean it and don’t allow cake to build up either. Just wipe it clean after smoking and maybe run water through the bowl and out the stem. Mine has a chamber below the bowl and the water rinse cleans it out. That could be the problem with yours if there’s something nasty still in there.

Sadly, I suspect the culprit is something in the manufacturing process and I have little faith in Chinese made products so lord only knows what kind of toxic crap might have been used. Unless there’s merely a residual chemical on the surface I suspect the taste could indicate something is leeching out under heat and that’s BAD.

Maybe consider a LePeltier pipe? They are rock solid ceramic pipes and well vetted.

 

[Arqavan]

Below is a quote from that pipe listing:

• Six monthes Warranty :If there is any quality within 6 monthes, it will be exchanged free of charge.

I about spit out my beer from sheer unadulterated mirth when I read, "if there is any quality within 6 monthes..." I guess this manufacture would be highly disappointed if in the first months of owning the pipe you happen to notice any quality. Anything more that complete garbage will promptly exchanged for free.

Yes, that part of the listing is absolutely hilarious.

 

[Arqavan]

I have one porcelain pipe - a Royal Copenhagen
It smokes very neutral, like clays.

My porcelain pipe, like clays and meerschaums do not have a bowl coating.
There is no need to maintain a layer of cake.
Cleaning out the bowl with doubled over cleaner(s) and a scrunched up paper towel after a smoke is all that's required.

What you describe can be caused by impurities in the materials used in making the pipe. View attachment 173893

I suggest you clean out the internal of the shank and stem.
Alcohol soaked cleaner is OK with the shank.
Do not use alcohol if the stem is acrylic. Liquid soap and water works well.

I have used alcohol soaked cotton balls to deep clean my porcelain bowl.
Absolutely no problem if you dry it properly for at least 24hrs before smoking again.

Many many thanks for all these points. I am gonna do a thorough cleaning and smoke it a couple of more times. Then I can decide whether this nasty smell is permanent or not. Not gonna lie, I don’t hold out much hope.

 

[Arqavan]

I have an American made ceramic pipe that smokes very nicely and is quite cool but never any weird taste or smells - unless it’s dirty.

Never use alcohol to clean it and don’t allow cake to build up either. Just wipe it clean after smoking and maybe run water through the bowl and out the stem. Mine has a chamber below the bowl and the water rinse cleans it out. That could be the problem with yours if there’s something nasty still in there.

Sadly, I suspect the culprit is something in the manufacturing process and I have little faith in Chinese made products so lord only knows what kind of toxic crap might have been used. Unless there’s merely a residual chemical on the surface I suspect the taste could indicate something is leeching out under heat and that’s BAD.

Maybe consider a LePeltier pipe? They are rock solid ceramic pipes and well vetted.

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I have the exact same impression that this nasty smell must have something to do with the materials that this Chinese company has used in making the porcelain. I feel really bad for my health when I sense that smell while smoking it. My only hope was to see this odour going away after a while, and now that I am reading you guys' comments, I am losing all my optimism.

 

[Arqavan]

1. It's Chinese made pipe. 2. Said don't soak it with alcohol. 3. It's indicated as porcelain, not ceramic.

Not too familiar with Chinese made pipes. However, I usually stay away from them. Who know what was used to make them? Porcelain is rather dense, so I don't think it's something from tobacco being absorbed while smoking. But there must be some chance of things getting picked by the porcelain. Alcohol to cleaning the pipe is not suggested.

Then what's causing the unpleasant smell after awhile. 1. Possibly what was used to make the pipe. 2. Possibly the pipe needs to be cleaned more thoroughly as in completely disassembled and every surface completely cleaned.

Many thanks for the reply. I am gonna wash it, as you have mentioned, and have a couple of more smokes with it to see what happens. I'll post an update hopefully in a week.