Well Known Problem seeks Answer

[Yambo]

Deal breaker for me. Those pipes get tossed.

Same here. That's why I only buy pipes I can test before. I always ask for a pipe cleaner (or bring my own) and try it. If a curved pipe takes some tries, that's ok by me. But not too many.

 

[mpjetset]

If the pipe is gurgling you can drill it out some.
Ive done it will perfect results, just be careful.
If its not gurgling, don't worry about it.
I have several pipes that don't pass a cleaner but they smoke perfectly well.
It's more common for this to be a non issue than an issue.....in my experience.

A friend drilled a pipe out at my kitchen table for me. I was so amazed at the difference that I asked him to do a couple more. 25 pipes later, I couldn't be happier. I don't have the guts to do it myself though. Some were $1,000 range, and although I prefer to make my own mistakes I trusted him completely. Highly recommended!

 

[mpjetset]

Several seemed to have misunderstood my question. Not talking about the draw/ draft hole.... SNIP

Sorry, I got caught up in the drilling out to improve the DRAW but let me say it improved flavor. I smoke cool, just on the edge of a gurgle, and the larger passageway pulls a little more moisture - where flavor is carried from - through the stem. I know it's not for everyone but trying it on a cheap basket pipe may yield favorable results on your gurgle, too.

 

[gord]

If you have a friend who plays guitar get him to give you a couple of used low E or low A wound strings. Cut them to size, and insert them into the stem before using a pipe cleaner. The stiff string should clean out the problem area very quickly, and a pipe cleaner should pass through easily after that.

Faster and less problematic than bristle pipe cleaners, which in my opinion are tools of the devil.