Re: Good pipe "tricks"?

schnorrer wrote:
I was wondering if anyone would want to post their "secret" techniques
or method that they regularly use when smoking/cleaning pipes that is
not common knowledge.

My trick is to clean the rim of the bowl with a tissue moistened with
saliva. Sounds gross, but it does a terrific job of cleaning off the
dark carbon and makes the rim look almost new.

Also, I use q-tips to really scub out the shank when doing a "deep
cleaning". They give me more focused surface and leverage than using
only pipe cleaners.

Finally, I clean the carbon off my Zippos with a plastic kitchen
scrubby sponge moisted with lighter fluid. (don't tell my wife).
Sometimes I use an old toothbrush.

Best wishes,
Paul
San Francisco

Quickie field maintenance for a funky pipe...
Flip the bowl upside down and hold over a small flame for 5-8 seconds, being very careful not to scorch the rim.
Flip the bowl upright and steam will rise, that is I believe the funky oils leaving.
Been doing it for years and haven't hurt a pipe yet.

I use a brass gun brush to clean my lighters.

Ken in Miami
.

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