Loading ...Contributed by forum and club member “Blacksmith”
Ok, here are instructions on how to clean that estate pipe that you picked up off of Lance (or anyone else i guess) that either you want to be sure it’s clean from the previous owner or just want to get rid of any old tobacco ghosts. This also works to un-sour a pipe that picked up too much tobacco nasties – this i know from personal experience. Note: you do not need to do this every time you smoke! Just running a pipe cleaner down the stem should be sufficient for that.
You will need:
- 151 rum or everclear or any kind of very high proof grain alcohol. Make sure it is drinkable alcohol – no rubbing alcohol
- salt (i find pickling salt works the best – cheap and smaller grains)
- scratchy pipe cleaners
- soft pipe cleaners
- pipe reamer
- paper towels
- a couple days
Ream the cake out down to a reasonable level. Roughly the thickness of a nickel or even a dime should be sufficient. If it’s less than that then this will work a bit better, but you will have to build up that cake again.
Take a soft pipe cleaner and insert it down the stem, into the bowl if possible. Leave it there.
Fill the bowl up with salt right up to the top and find a safe place to set it for a couple days. Make sure the bit end of the stem is up a bit so nothing will leak out.
Take the alcohol and pour it onto the salt, filling up the bowl with it. Try not to get any alcohol on the outside of the bowl; this will ruin the finish if you leave it there. If you do get some on the finish, wipe it off immediately.
Now you get to play the waiting game. For the next couple of days, the alcohol will be dissolving the tars and tobacco ghosts in the wood and cake. The salt will draw all those nasties out. You will probably find a hard layer of salt on the top of the bowl when it is done.
When all the alcohol is dry (2 days should be sufficient), dump all the salt out of the bowl – make sure you get it all.
Take the pipe cleaner out, it should look damn nasty. Get a new scratchy pipe cleaner, soak it with the alcohol, and run it down the stem again. Then do it again with a new cleaner soaked in the alcohol (or just the other side of the cleaner). Then do it again. Then do it again. When it comes out pretty clean, switch to the soft cleaners and repeat, soaking them in the alcohol every time, until it comes out clean.
Take the stem out of the bowl and wipe the pipe end clean. Take a soft pipe cleaner and wipe out the hole in the wood. If the bit tastes bitter, take the alcohol on a paper towel and wipe it off until it is better. This may take a while.
Reassemble the pipe and you should be good to go!
Or you could just man-up and smoke some Ten To Midnight in it instead. 
Resources
- New Pipes Pipes, pipes and more pipes. Here we have one of the premier selections of briar pipes in the world. From Peterson pipes to Savinelli pipes and everything in between, the briar pipes you want at prices you can afford!
- Estate/Used pipes Estate pipes or Used pipes have been offered by tobacconists for years. This is a great way to buy a high grade and or beef up a collection with out maximum outlay.
- Pipe Gift Sets Packs Need a gift for the pipe smoker in your life? This page will direct you to an assortmant of gift packs. Some featuring a pipe with tobaccos and some just featuring tobaccos. Either way there is something for every pipe smoker!
- Filters and Inserts Pipe filters have long been a standard for a drier smoke as well as having the benefit of removing some unwanted ingredients found in pipe tobacco. Nicotine and irritants are trapped in the absorbent filters.
- Pipe Tools This section is devoted to pipe hardware or pipe tools. Keeping your pipe clean is part of the ritual. These tools enhance your experience and allows you the honor of taking care of a prized possesion. You’ll see it all here from the very expensive to the really inexpensive.
- Tobacco & Pipe Pouches From the inexpensive to the outrageous (not really it just sounded good)! However, we have some terrific deals on pipe tobacco pouches. Whether for everyday or weekend use, you can find something for the pipesmoker you love! NEW LaRocca Nappa leather tobacco pouches just in!
- Pipe Cleaners Standard, bristled, churchwarden, fluffy and tapered pipe cleaners from – BJ Long’s, Comoy’s, Dill’s and Ream & Klean. A pipe cleaner for every need!
- Polishes & Wipes Sweetener, Buffing Cloths, Polishes and Wipes for both pipe and stem. All the goodies you need to keep your puffer looking good and in perfect working order.
- Pipe Lighters When it comes to putting the heat to the briar there is no substitution for a great pipe lighter. Convenient and always at the ready. We have tried to include lighters in all ranges for the brothers of the pipe.
- Stands & Racks Looking for a great way to display your pipes? Here you can select from an assortment of makes, styles, and colors that are sure to please the eye and grab attention to those you hold dear.
- Pipe Literature Love the hobby? Want to learn more? The best place to start is Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine. Richard Carleton Hacker has written several books on Scotch, Cigars and Pipes and his pipe books are required reading by any hobbyist.
