How to Clean a Smoking Pipe
- 1). Remove the stem, or mouthpiece, from the bowl of the pipe. The stem of a briar pipe will have a tenon that wedges into the shank, which is the part of the bowl that connects to the stem. Meerschaum pipes may be screwed on. Lightly twist in a counter-clockwise motion to unscrew the stem.
- 2). Dip a pipe cleaner in cleaning alcohol or high-proof drinking alcohol. Run the pipe cleaner through the stem to remove any built up tar. Run a dry pipe cleaner through the stem to remove any remaining alcohol. Wipe up any extra alcohol from the outside of the stem. Long exposure to alcohol can remove the coloring of the mouthpiece. Let the pipe dry completely before using it to smoke.
- 3
The basic pipe tool consists of a tamper, scoop and poker.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
Use a pipe tool to lightly scrape out any remaining tobacco from the bowl. Over time, briar pipe will build up a carbon residue, or "cake," in the bowl. This helps protect the wood from heat. Be careful not to remove too much of this cake. Meerschaum pipe bowls do not need this cake and should be scraped out after each smoke. - 4). Run a pipe cleaner through the shank and into the bottom of the bowl. Tar can build up around the tenon in pipes and can cause the pipe to sour.
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