I was wondering what's the best ways to clean your pipe? Besides using long cleaners . I heard some people use wild turkey whiskey not sure if that's good or not.
If your pipe is clean to start 1 or 2 cleaners in the airways, then doubled up to “scrub” the chamber will suffice.
If the pipe gurgled I’d dismantle it (when cool) and clean out the mortise.
Long cleaners are not necessary unless you have a churchwarden
If the chamber is dirty, a damp paper kitchen towel, scrunched up and twisted around will clean it up pretty good
Some members are devotees of water flushing.
I tried it on a few occasions, but don’t really find it necessary most of the time.
I use alcohol (always a high proof clear fruit brandy) ONLY if I have to deep clean. I don’t use “coloured” spirits
I only deep clean if the chamber is badly caked, or has an unpleasant ghost.
Or if it is a pipe I have just received.
Ghosting is rarely a reason for cleaning a pipe as I have a large rotation, and educate pipes for various genres.
I start out by reaming out the chamber
Then a couple of cotton balls stuffed into the chamber and filled with said alcohol. Leave for a day. Repeat until the cotton balls come out clean.
I pay particular attention to the shank and mortise As there is where most of the funk reside.
Vulcanite stems are cleaned with alcohol. Acrylic stems are cleaned with water and liquid soap.
Hope this helps