What do Filters Do?

[turtlehead]

Title edited for caps and brevity. -jpm

Smoking my Savinelli Duca Carlo (first "real" pipe I ever bought back just out of college)

It runs a 6mm filter, and I haven't had one in it since when I first bought it. I installed a carbon filter tonight and fired it up, and I don't know if it's in my head, or just a different tobacco, but I feel like I got less tease of tongue bite when smoking too fast/slightly cooler smoke.

Does a filter actually do that?

Does it change flavor characteristics?

Why do guys/gals like or dislike filters?

 

[sablebrush52]

The purpose of a filter is to absorb an amount of moisture and tar. I don't smoke filtered pipes, so I can't attest to what other effects it may have.

 

[ak2000]

Definitely works as you said and I haven't found a significant difference in flavor when using one. I stopped using them because I couldn't deal with not being able to use a pipe cleaner. YMMV

 

[olkofri]

Does a filter actually do that?

Yes. That's one reason I like filters: they allow me to sippuff like a train without tongue burn.

 

[turtlehead]

I

Yes. That's one reason I like filters: they allow me to sippuff like a train without tongue burn.

Love that concept lol

 

[didimauw]

I use em for moisture, and small tobacco bits collection.

 

[Hampshire Pipes & Cigars]

Balsa filter in my Savinelli pipe to help with moisture control and I find it has no effect on my tobacco taste

 

[mso489]

I find filters mute the flavor somewhat. If you want a strong blend milder, it helps. I smoke about one bowl a day averaged -- sometimes none, sometimes three. I use filters infrequently. The best use is if you are smoking a lot more than usual, at a pipe show, pipe club, or pipe shop, so you don't get sick on nic. I like strong blends unfiltered, but one bowl at a time.

 

[kcghost]

In Europe these things are big. In the states not so much.

 

[DanWil84]

I have filtered pipes and filters are indeed supposed to help with excess moisture, but I've never found a advantage or disadvantage on using the filter. I would say proper dried tobacco and a correct smoking technique (not that I'm an expert on that topic) is more important.

Some say it restricts draw and flavor, I have experienced neither. The draw on a filter pipe with a filter is to me to same as the draw on a filter pipe without one, even if the tenon mortise hole is 6 or 9mm instead of 3 or 4 mm. I use mine without a filter just because I forget to put one in.

If a (estate) pipe you like has a filter I would still consider it.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I find the 9mm charcoal filters take the rough edges off. There's definitely some blends I wouldn't smoke regularly if I didn't have a filtered pipe as they're too strong in an unfiltered pipe. Gawith XX Plug & Revor Plug come to mind.

 

[turtlehead]

Thanks!!! Good feedback. Now to experiment with/without the filters and see how that goes.

I did like that I could get after it a bit more with the filter without tongue bite - BUT I also realize this could affect flavor.

 

[Flatfish]

If a pipe eg a cob, comes with paper filters (or whatever they are called), can you use a charcoal or balsa filter in that pipe?

 

[JOHN72]

Yes. That's one reason I like filters: they allow me to sippuff like a train without tongue burn.

Like a Siberian train, loaded with perrier?

 

[olkofri]

Like a Siberian train, loaded with perrier?

Gorielka!! ??

 

[turtlehead]

If a pipe eg a cob, comes with paper filters (or whatever they are called), can you use a charcoal or balsa filter in that pipe?

I'm the last who should answer - but I was searching filter sizes... and from what I found, filters are based on diameter - so, if you can make a reasonable guess at diameter you might get another filter that works. they're cheap, but a few different sizes and try?

 

[Skapie]

I have a good mind and cut myself a bunch of filters from balsa plank from the local hardware shop rather than buying charcoal filters the whole time, as I use them mostly to absorb some moisture.

 

[olkofri]

If a pipe eg a cob, comes with paper filters (or whatever they are called), can you use a charcoal or balsa filter in that pipe?

Yes. Cobs use 6 mm filters. The Savinelli's balsa will fit them.

 

[FALaholic]

I have noticed a slight change in flavor when I removed the filter, but have also noticed there was far less moisture, and gurgle.

I have both in the arsenal, so it’s annoying when I go to shoot a pipe cleaner down the stem only to get a 4~car pile up crumple of said cleaner. I’m mostly transitioning away from them…but not entirely. Balsa to my tastes seem to be the least intrusive on taste and do an excellent job on moisture.

 

[jeffya2]

Smoking my Savinelli Duca Carlo (first "real" pipe I ever bought back just out of college)

It runs a 6mm filter, and I haven't had one in it since when I first bought it. I installed a carbon filter tonight and fired it up, and I don't know if it's in my head, or just a different tobacco, but I feel like I got less tease of tongue bite when smoking too fast/slightly cooler smoke.

Does a filter actually do that?

Does it change flavor characteristics?

Why do guys/gals like or dislike filters?

Yes I find that the 9mm carbon filter removes moisture but mainly reduces rough edges & bite which I find changes the tobacco flavour very very slightly but drastically improves the smoke