I was able to get a couple estate pipes very cheap on ebay the other day. When they arrives, I'll need to clean them out so I can use them. How do I treat a used pipe so I may use it?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Cleaning Pipes
- Thread starter TimmyBoston
- Start date
I'm not one of those guys who needs to boil everything in bleach prior to use, but I have used Clean & Cure Pipe Sweetener with really good results in the past. That with some pipe cleaners and a reamer and you should be ready to go. I give a little extra cleaning around the mouthpiece.
High proof hard liquor.
Depends on what was smoked in the pipe.
If it smells sweet from Cavendish (cherry flavors etc) use Rum.
If pungent (English blends) use whiskey.
Dip your pipe cleaners in it and go to it.
Depends on what was smoked in the pipe.
If it smells sweet from Cavendish (cherry flavors etc) use Rum.
If pungent (English blends) use whiskey.
Dip your pipe cleaners in it and go to it.
I would suggest using Everclear grain alcohol or vodka and lots and lots of pipe cleaners. I personally don't want the taste of rum or whiskey in my pipe but if that's not an issue then those will work fine too.
If the pipe is in need of severe cleaning, you might try the methods in this article:
http://www.glpease.com/Articles/Spot.html
If the pipe is in need of severe cleaning, you might try the methods in this article:
http://www.glpease.com/Articles/Spot.html
So, I have to ask, What pipes did ya win? 
I clean the stems with lots of rubbing alcohol and pipe cleaners. Then I fill the bowl with table salt and wet the salt with alcohol. Wait ten minutes and repeat. Do this until the salt stays white.
Not to say my way is the best by anymeans, but I Ain't dead Yet.
I picked up an estate pipe riddled with cobwebs (but no critters, best I could tell)...
1. Rinse EVERYTHING under hot water.
1.b. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
2. Wash Mouthpiece (bit).
2a. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
3. Soak moutpiece in bleach/water mix (similar to cleaning a razor)
3a. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
4. Scrub with pipe cleaner. Make sure all nasty bits are no longer nastyl.
4a (did I mention a pipe cleaner?)
5. Touch up whatever's left
6. Smoke it
I picked up an estate pipe riddled with cobwebs (but no critters, best I could tell)...
1. Rinse EVERYTHING under hot water.
1.b. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
2. Wash Mouthpiece (bit).
2a. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
3. Soak moutpiece in bleach/water mix (similar to cleaning a razor)
3a. Clean w/ Pipe Cleaner
4. Scrub with pipe cleaner. Make sure all nasty bits are no longer nastyl.
4a (did I mention a pipe cleaner?)
5. Touch up whatever's left
6. Smoke it
Denatured alchohol and pipe cleaners, bristley then soft, scrub until the pipe cleaners come back clean. Be carefull using hot water, too hot can soften the stem and cause it to become mis-shapened. Also, briar is dry cured for years to remove moisture (hopefully), I wouldn't get the wood anywhere near water.
- Thread starter
- #10
So, I have to ask, What pipes did ya win?
A Savinelli 602 and a Peterson Killarney.
- Thread starter
- #11
Hey Rick! How are you?
The SA method works well to remove remnant odors from the bowl. (salt alcohol)
Everclear is often the spirit of choice for its high proof (read: it's a terrific solvent with virtually zero remaining flavors).
The stem likes an alcohol treatment as well, but stems are not always the same material. I've had good experiences using toothpaste to re-polish the stem and bit to a glossy sheen. I've always just used lots of pipe cleaners and alcohol to clean out the inside of the stem. It can take a long time with well-loved (or not so well-loved, but often used) pipes.
You've got some good pipes, there. Enjoy them.
Everclear is often the spirit of choice for its high proof (read: it's a terrific solvent with virtually zero remaining flavors).
The stem likes an alcohol treatment as well, but stems are not always the same material. I've had good experiences using toothpaste to re-polish the stem and bit to a glossy sheen. I've always just used lots of pipe cleaners and alcohol to clean out the inside of the stem. It can take a long time with well-loved (or not so well-loved, but often used) pipes.
You've got some good pipes, there. Enjoy them.
Hey Tim, I'm by no means an authority on the subject, but I think a good rule of thumb would be to not use anything that you wouldn't otherwise ingest (with purpose made pipe cleaning solutions being the exception to make the rule).
Alcohol (booze), salt, toothpaste, whatever = good.
Alcohol (isoprophyl), household cleaners, etc. = bad.
Alcohol (booze), salt, toothpaste, whatever = good.
Alcohol (isoprophyl), household cleaners, etc. = bad.
I've a pretty good selection of pipes and I've brought back quite a few estate pipes. First do not soak in water any of the wooden parts of your pipe. Second the salt and alcohol is good for the inside of your bowl and shank. But I'll walk you through a complete cleaning and prep.
When you fist receive your pipe carefully disassemble and check for blockages if they exist use a pipe pick or very small drill bit and carefully work it through by hand. Next use a bristle pipe cleaner and pure grain alcohol, I use Everclear, and run through the stem (mouthpiece) until you can put a cleaner through that is as white as when it went in, follow with a fluffy to absorb any remaining alcohol. Next you may soak in a mild bleach solution, I do, but know that this will remove any polish on the stem and it will likely come out white and chalky. In any case it will need to be polished, buffed, and re waxed or it will oxidize quickly. PM me and I can send you links to some great and fairly inexpensive products to help with whatever you may need. next turn your attention to the bowl. You should have already cleared any blockage between shank and bowl look at the interior of the bowl if there is a heavy cake (carbon build up) it must be reamed, if you are a regular pipe smoker you should have at least a basic reamer for maintenance, again pretty cheep, but if you do not a dowel or finger with fine grit sand paper will do. Get your bowl as smooth as possible, some cake is good as it prevents the bowl from burning and absorbs moisture during combustion cooling the smoke, but if it smells of some funky aromatic you may want to sand down to wood and start a new one. Just be careful of the rim. Next clean the shank and air hole between shank and bowl with alcohol and bristle cleaners the same as you did with the stem. After that step it's time for the S/A treatment. I use kosher salt as it does not contain iodine, the coarser grains do not dissolve as easily and it allows for the alcohol to evaporate more freely, also the larger granules are easier to clean out of the pipe as any salt left in will taste unpleasant. That being said, table salt will work. Fill the bowl and shank with salt if they are bent, if strait you will have to do one at a time packing the other with paper towel. Carefully drip alcohol over the salt until the salt looks damp but not wet. Add a drop let it settle than ad another until salt is saturated, if any gets on the out side wipe it off immediately alcohol will strip the finish off of pipes, think of bleach on blue jeans. let it sit for at least two hours and redo letting it sit for at least 24 or until all alcohol is evaporated. It will look a mahogany brown to black on top of salt. Repeat if the pipe doesn't smell sweet and good to you. Many estate pipes have some blackening of the rim, if this is the case use rag that is slightly moistened with alcohol and rub around the rim and wipe with a dry portion of the rag. Once around then dry careful not to erode the finish just the soot and tar until it looks clean. Let sit over night disassembled in a dry place reassemble and polish. Your pipe should now draw well and taste sweet and clean even empty. If there is any bitterness check to make sure you got all the salt out if you have than one more time with the S/A but that is extremely unlikely if you followed these steps. Enjoy your pipe and admire your work with an great tasting smoke
Both of your new pipes are great mid level examples and should provide you with a life time of pleasure, good luck.
When you fist receive your pipe carefully disassemble and check for blockages if they exist use a pipe pick or very small drill bit and carefully work it through by hand. Next use a bristle pipe cleaner and pure grain alcohol, I use Everclear, and run through the stem (mouthpiece) until you can put a cleaner through that is as white as when it went in, follow with a fluffy to absorb any remaining alcohol. Next you may soak in a mild bleach solution, I do, but know that this will remove any polish on the stem and it will likely come out white and chalky. In any case it will need to be polished, buffed, and re waxed or it will oxidize quickly. PM me and I can send you links to some great and fairly inexpensive products to help with whatever you may need. next turn your attention to the bowl. You should have already cleared any blockage between shank and bowl look at the interior of the bowl if there is a heavy cake (carbon build up) it must be reamed, if you are a regular pipe smoker you should have at least a basic reamer for maintenance, again pretty cheep, but if you do not a dowel or finger with fine grit sand paper will do. Get your bowl as smooth as possible, some cake is good as it prevents the bowl from burning and absorbs moisture during combustion cooling the smoke, but if it smells of some funky aromatic you may want to sand down to wood and start a new one. Just be careful of the rim. Next clean the shank and air hole between shank and bowl with alcohol and bristle cleaners the same as you did with the stem. After that step it's time for the S/A treatment. I use kosher salt as it does not contain iodine, the coarser grains do not dissolve as easily and it allows for the alcohol to evaporate more freely, also the larger granules are easier to clean out of the pipe as any salt left in will taste unpleasant. That being said, table salt will work. Fill the bowl and shank with salt if they are bent, if strait you will have to do one at a time packing the other with paper towel. Carefully drip alcohol over the salt until the salt looks damp but not wet. Add a drop let it settle than ad another until salt is saturated, if any gets on the out side wipe it off immediately alcohol will strip the finish off of pipes, think of bleach on blue jeans. let it sit for at least two hours and redo letting it sit for at least 24 or until all alcohol is evaporated. It will look a mahogany brown to black on top of salt. Repeat if the pipe doesn't smell sweet and good to you. Many estate pipes have some blackening of the rim, if this is the case use rag that is slightly moistened with alcohol and rub around the rim and wipe with a dry portion of the rag. Once around then dry careful not to erode the finish just the soot and tar until it looks clean. Let sit over night disassembled in a dry place reassemble and polish. Your pipe should now draw well and taste sweet and clean even empty. If there is any bitterness check to make sure you got all the salt out if you have than one more time with the S/A but that is extremely unlikely if you followed these steps. Enjoy your pipe and admire your work with an great tasting smoke
Both of your new pipes are great mid level examples and should provide you with a life time of pleasure, good luck.
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What the above gentleman said. Remember too it's good to let Briar pipes rest a day between smoking and don't puff excessively for it can burn crack the briar.
This site has good info
www.deadmanspipes.com
your going to really enjoy your Killarney
This site has good info
www.deadmanspipes.com
your going to really enjoy your Killarney
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Hey Tim I just now noticed your in Indi. I'm in Martinsville, abut 1/2 hour to 45 min. south depending on what part of town. I've got everything you'd need. If you want I can actually show you how to bring 'em back to good order.
yeah dont get alcohol on the outside. when i went to wipe it off b/c of the finish on the pipe it literally looked like blood.
This is the method I use on all of my 15 pipes. With estate pipes I like to get all the cake out and to start over.
If the bowl is sour the sea salt method works great.
This type of thing is exactly why this forum works. What a generous offer! Someone get this man a homebrew while he's working...
