Upside Down Pipe Storage on Rack

[dog_park_piper]

I've seen enough warnings online against storing pipes bowl side up on a rack that it warrants bringing it up in the forum.

I have some bent briars that only fit in the wood rack I have if they are placed from the top down.

Do we think this leads to moisture not leaving the bowl well enough?

Or is this a pipe myth?

 

[OverMountain]

I’ve never heard this. The only thing I could think would be collection of dust in the bowl right side up.

Without solar or some other type of heating wouldn’t moisture in the bowl be drawn towards a desiccant or other dryer substance in the vicinity?

 

[dog_park_piper]

I think the worry was that briar resting with the bowl at the top and the stem at the bottom would not allow the moist bowl to dry.

I suspect briar dries fine regardless. I could be wrong.

 

[cersono]

I've heard the other way round: don't store your pipe bowl down because spit and tar would flow down from the stem and mortise and swamp your bowl long after the smoke.
I have racks of both types and store my pipes both ways and haven't noticed any difference to be honest.

 

[seanv]

1 vote for pipe myth

I store my pipes both ways. I haven't had an issue yet

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Just don't put a hot pipe upside down, let it cool off and wipe out the bowl. If the pipe is dry and cool there is zero reason it can't be stored bowl up. If it's not dry and cool all the moisture from the bowl will run down the shank/stem.

 

[proteus]

Unless the pipe is dripping wet, evaporation occurs without regard to position. Evaporation depends on unrestricted air flow or circulation of air around the chamber.

 

[PipesRock]

myth.
Split the difference, lay them flat in a drawer or box. But mainly, don't store with spit, tar and gunk in the pipe.

 

[RookieGuy80]

I clean my pipes after using them and then store them upside down. I haven't had anything bad happen, no mouthful of tobacco juice or ash, no funky smells or tastes. And I keep them where there's plenty of air circulating. The only difference I've seen is it's easier to get them in and out of the rack. But, as always, YMMV.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Do we think this leads to moisture not leaving the bowl well enough?

If you thoroughly clean them after smoking there won't be any moisture left to worry about. I haven't used racks for several years now and just lay them on their sides with no issue. At one time I used this rack and it worked fine.

 

[dog_park_piper]

If you thoroughly clean them after smoking there won't be any moisture left to worry about. I haven't used racks for several years now and just lay them on their sides with no issue. At one time I used this rack and it worked fine.

View attachment 233266

Good to hear.

If I use pipe cleaners to remove moisture from inside the pipe before racking upside down, then there's not going to be enough moisture left over to "flow" any one direction.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Good to hear.

If I use pipe cleaners to remove moisture from inside the pipe before racking upside down, then there's not going to be enough moisture left over to "flow" any one direction.

Don't forget to wipe out the chamber with a paper towel. Regular full cleanings negates the need for resting a pipe as well. Orientation on a rack isn't going to affect the pipe at all. Just one more pipe myth.

 

[kcghost]

I don't have any problems regardless of the way I store my pipes.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've seen enough warnings online against storing pipes bowl side up on a rack that it warrants bringing it up in the forum.

I have some bent briars that only fit in the wood rack I have if they are placed from the top down.

Do we think this leads to moisture not leaving the bowl well enough?

Or is this a pipe myth?

It’s just another myth. Anyone who believes this is simple in the head.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I think the warning comes from a time when people didn't take nearly as good of care of their pipes as we do now.

Hopefully none of us are hanging up our pipes wet enough for it to matter either way!

 

[OzPiper]

Do we think this leads to moisture not leaving the bowl well enough?

Or is this a pipe myth?

Absolute myth
I clean all my pipes immediately after each smoke.

 

[dog_park_piper]

Absolute myth
I clean all my pipes immediately after each smoke.

same. I would love to find a business prospect involving used pipe cleaners.

 

[bullet08]

I prefer my pipes to rest in the position that I prefer. Lying down. If I practice yoga or something, I would imagine my pipes stored upside down would normal to me.

 

[pappymac]

It. Just. Doesn't. Matter.
I even went through a phase where I just kept my pipes in my desk drawer.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Put your pipes in a watch winder machine! Then the gravimetric forces will be evenly distributed! The harmonic waves of the universe will be balanced! Simple!