Have read that when cleaning a pipe and stem that it is good to use an alcohol like EverClear on the pipe cleaner. I don't have any, and need to clean my pipe (I think) before tonight's outing. Would brandy do? Is it strong enough to do the job? Will it "ghost" the pipe? Thanks!!
Quick Pipe Cleaning Question
- Thread starter john parker
- Start date
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
If you're just cleaning the stem, that would be fine. If you're cleaning the pipe I'd do it after you smoke it and it has time to cool, so it can dry overnight.
- Thread starter
- #3
And if the shank and bowl? My, you are fast, Commander!!
It may leave a bit of flavor initially if your brandy is strong. I tried tequila in a cob and tasted the worm for a whole week...
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- #5
Think I misunderstood. If for smoking tonight, just the stem. If cleaning the whole pipe for tomorrow night I could do the whole pipe with the brandy - correct? Then let it sit a day. Will try to get some EverClear because I do not wish to unduly flavor the pipe (though a nice booze note might be nice).
Personally I would wait for the everclear. A good clean can soak for a day or two. I can think of a few Brandys that may not add nice elements to your pipe.
just the stem today is what Derrick was saying.
just the stem today is what Derrick was saying.
dont forget the salt when doing the soak.
I think Derrick meant cleaning after you smoke. It's not best to take apart a hot pipe thats just been smoked, so you can clean the steam right after and then the next day when it is cool, you can take it apart and clean everything else.
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- #9
Got it (I think)! Just removed the stem from the (cool) pipe, and cleaned the stem with a pipe cleaner soaked in a wee bit of brandy. Left the rest of the pipe alone. Will look for EverClear tomorrow. Thanks all!
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Sorry. What I meant was if you are only cleaning the stem, you're ok to do it before you smoke. If you want to clean the briar section, I'd wait until after you smoke the pipe tonight before you use the alcohol on it so that it has sufficient time to dry before smoking it again.
The brandy may carry over to the next smoke or 2 but it won't have any long lasting effects. I've heard of guys using rum, scotch, and even Coke to clean out the insides of their pipes.
A high proof alcohol like 151 of everclear is preferred because it evaporates faster than liquors that have a higher water content.
The brandy may carry over to the next smoke or 2 but it won't have any long lasting effects. I've heard of guys using rum, scotch, and even Coke to clean out the insides of their pipes.
A high proof alcohol like 151 of everclear is preferred because it evaporates faster than liquors that have a higher water content.
- Thread starter
- #11
Got it! And I have read to be careful not to get the alcohol on the finish, so I will watch out for that! Thanks again!
In VA the only place you can buy Everclear is on post so a lot of my fellow club members use vodka (quite neutral in taste) and/or 101 proof rum (leaves a little bit of a sweet taste that dissipates quickly). I buy a pint of Everclear and it'll last me for years and I use some almost 2-4 times a week. I also use it with salt to occasionally clean out a bowl. Whatever you use, just let it dry before smoking.
Mike
I have been using 151 rum with great results in my cob and even soaking a paper towel with it to ream out the bowl and clean the rim. I also uses it to clean my Savinelli and dripped a touch on the finish and as quick as I could grab a dry towel and wipe it a little brown from the stain came off so be careful with the finish. Just to clarify the pipe looks fine and I couldn't tell by eye any finish came off but it did.
