Cleaning your pipe is a basic but yet essential operation. Every pipe smoker have to know the essential elements to take care of their pipes. No more excuses to not do it, we give you all our simple tips to apply on a daily basis!
Basic rules before cleaning your pipe:
Everyone has their little habits to clean their pipe but, first of all, there are some manipulations to avoid under all circumstances.
Never disassemble your pipe when it is still hot!
Under the effect of heat, materials expand differently. Expansion between briar (wood) and stem (plastic) will not be the same. Therefore, wait for your pipe to be completely cold before cleaning it. If you disassemble your pipe right after smoking it, it might:
- Change the initial adjustment between the head of the pipe and the stem. It is thus possible that the stem will not hold in place anymore.
- Break the briar shank or a part of the stem.
Do not hit your pipe on a hard surface to empty the ashes!
Avoid hitting your pipe on a too hard surface such as a table. If possible, empty the ashes by slightly tapping your pipe on the cork half-ball of your ashtray (that is why it is made for!). If you do not have any, slightly tap on the bottom of the bowl of your pipe with your hand. You can also use the spoon (of a pipe tamper) to help you completely emptying the tobacco chamber.
Use the right tools for the cleaning:
Once cold and empty, the inside of your pipe can finally be cleaned as it should. For this, pipe cleaners will be your best friends! Without these small rods, you will not be able to move on. There are many other products that are very efficient to deeply clean your pipe but, in this article, we will voluntarily only remain on the basis.
The routine to take care of your pipe:
A dirty pipe smells bad and affects your tobacco's aromas. It is therefore important to take the time to regularly clean your pipe. It will only be even more pleasant to smoke!
- Disassembling
- Interior cleaning
- Changing the filter
1. Disassembling:
Once your pipe is completely cold, disassemble it by doing a rotational movement. Generally, we explain that you have to disassemble the stem as if it was screwed to the shank (always turning in the same direction). To do this, hold the shank in one hand and the stem in the other. The best thing to do is to firmly hold the shank and to slowly turn the stem with your other hand (holding it as close as possible to the shank).
2. Interior cleaning:
Now that your pipe is disassembled, remove the filter (if there is one, it will be at the end of the stem). Then, use a pipe cleaner like a sweeping rod. It will allow you to remove tar that may lie inside. You can insert the pipe cleaner in the whole length of the stem, and get it out on the other end. Do not hesitate to do the same in the shank (briar part), because there will always be a little bit of tar there too after smoking. If you have to use several pipe cleaners, then do so! For more information about pipe maintenance, you can read our blog article "How to clean my pipe".
3. Changing the filter:
Once stem and shank are clean, replace the filter if it is a disposable one. It is the case for most filters (balsa, paper, active charcoal filters...). However, if your pipe is equipped with a metal filter, you can clean it with a cloth and soapy water. Once you have changed or cleaned your filter (depending on your pipe), you just have to put it back in the stem. Lastly, reassemble your pipe, using the same method as the one previously described: turn the stem on itself, like if it was screwed to the shank.
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