Why so anal over your pipe?
- Thread starter ranger
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never thought of mineral oil, have to do that.
about the alcohols. i dont drink at all, cant with psyc meds.
would have to buy those little shot bottles and would like to know the differences whether,say, everclear and whiskeys which blends and positive effects on flavor with different tobaccos.
just ordered some cubed burley, hooked on mushrooms(?), straight perique, and a couple others the senior moment i cant remember.
about the alcohols. i dont drink at all, cant with psyc meds.
would have to buy those little shot bottles and would like to know the differences whether,say, everclear and whiskeys which blends and positive effects on flavor with different tobaccos.
just ordered some cubed burley, hooked on mushrooms(?), straight perique, and a couple others the senior moment i cant remember.
everclear or vodka would likely be the best for cleaning. Essentially, they are one in the same, taking into consideration the alcohol, by volume, is going to be considerably higher with the "pure" grain alcohol as opposed to vodka. But vodka will do the trick, easily. They would be the least likely to impart any sort of flavor to the pipe. If you want to add flavor, at least for the short term, then you would go with whiskey, brandy, run, etc. Understand that by the time you let the pipe dry out, any residual alcohol will be long gone. If any is actually left, and it somehow reaches your lips, it will be far less than what you will consume in eating a slice of bread (which also contains a small amount of alcohol in the natural process of fermentation)
OCD is hereditary in both sides of my family (but I should mention that my medication works very well) so this doesn't seem abnormal to me at all. I grew up knowing that my family is crazy and that it's ok - it's just a tool some people get. Every antique I have is pristine because of them. I take better care of my cars. I definitely agree things should be USED but they shouldn't be harmed in the using of them.
Besides, if your pipe is out of commission for days that's just more of a reason to have a good rotation of pipes. :D
Besides, if your pipe is out of commission for days that's just more of a reason to have a good rotation of pipes. :D
My personal cleaning regimen involves a 1/2 paper towel, a Qtip, and a pipe cleaner. I clean the outside with the paper towel, and run a pipe cleaner and qtip (if it has a filter chamber) through the stem and shank. Finally, I fold up the paper towel, stuff it in the bowl, and rotate it until its relatively clean. I do this after every smoke, but I wait until the pipe is cool and dry.
I never reach for the alcohol unless the pipe is tasting funky. I use olive oil when the wood starts looking dull.
I never reach for the alcohol unless the pipe is tasting funky. I use olive oil when the wood starts looking dull.
My garage looks immaculate and that's the environment where I like to work. To my neighbors, garages are just a place to store stuff and maybe squeeze their car in. My motorcycles and MGB are cherished and cared for properly. I keep my pipes pretty clean, but not the extent described in the video Ranger describes. If it gets to the point where the care required diminishes the joy from the use, that it is time to reexamine your priorities.
Mineral oil is in the same camp as olive oil, it will make it shiney put will clog the pours over time.
Huh?
Grouchy my pipe repair guy said to use mineral oil ...said Olive Oil might turn rancid. Yipes! As far as clogging the pores or what not ... the light coat seems to burn off without any negative effects...doesn't seem to affect my smoke...meanwhile the pipe is shiny and ready for it's next smoke. I use Everclear because it really doesn't taste like anything. The alcohol content is high - so I use it with confidence when I am cleaning Ebay pipes or pipe trades.
The bottom line in all this - it's your mouth that these baby's go into. Personally while I like character...I like clean better. After all I want to taste the truest taste of the tobacco I have purchased. Also there is something gratifying looking at a pipe that just looks terrific in one's hand. Perhaps it's all temperment - Artistic, Utilitarian, Logical personalities - all have their own take on the way things ought to be ...and that would include pipes, pipe smoking and pipe care.
The bottom line in all this - it's your mouth that these baby's go into. Personally while I like character...I like clean better. After all I want to taste the truest taste of the tobacco I have purchased. Also there is something gratifying looking at a pipe that just looks terrific in one's hand. Perhaps it's all temperment - Artistic, Utilitarian, Logical personalities - all have their own take on the way things ought to be ...and that would include pipes, pipe smoking and pipe care.
The debate on "clogging the pores" will go on forever. However be aware that the vast majority of makers use at least a light coat of shellac in the finishing process. My pipes get a wipe down with hat ever is handy (usually a paper towel) and a pipe cleaner run through after a days use. An alcohol cleaning when I feel the need to sweeten.
Whichever pipes I smoke during the day, I let accumulate and the next morning I clean them.
While the coffee is brewing, I scoop out any dottle, blow through the pipe, tap it on my palm, then run 3 - 4 alcohol dipped pipe cleaners through. Then I wipe the stem with Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil.
While the coffee is brewing, I scoop out any dottle, blow through the pipe, tap it on my palm, then run 3 - 4 alcohol dipped pipe cleaners through. Then I wipe the stem with Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil.
There is a point at which obsessive cleaning of one’s pipes could be diagnosed as a mental disorder. However, there is no quantifiable level of care that one should apply in pipe cleaning because at some point it rests in the comfort zone of each person. Yes, there are some do’s & don’ts and common acceptable practices but even these will vary in the degree in which they are applied from one pipe smoker to another.
I know what amount and type of cleaning that satisfies my desire for a clean pipe and also when I feel it becomes a burden of diminishing returns (YMMV).
Could someone loosen that strap on the back of my jacket? It’s time to clean my pipes.
I know what amount and type of cleaning that satisfies my desire for a clean pipe and also when I feel it becomes a burden of diminishing returns (YMMV).
Could someone loosen that strap on the back of my jacket? It’s time to clean my pipes.
Ever seen the show "Monk"? Some people are just that O.C.D or anal about cleaning. You don't have to go all Danny Tanner on your pipes though. From what I've heard a regular cleaning of the bowl with a pipe tool afterwards and running a pipe cleaner through it is usually sufficient. Sometimes I'll give mine an alcohol cleaning with a stronger proof rum, but I only do that once or twice a year usually. I'd venture to say others might be that anal about cleaning incase they wish to re-sell the pipe on ebay or whatever later on. Buyers tend to like the pipes to be in the best shape possible. Just my two cents.
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