Beginner needing some info

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Rolando

Why would I care if it is cleaned "better" when I am just going to smoke it again? It is clean enough. Tell you what... I will go out and get a bottle of everclear which is supposed to be the most ideal cleaner and compare after my next cleaning.

My thinking on the 91% vs. 70% is less water thus a faster drying out after treatment.

Come to think of it a lot of guys use 40-50% liquor for cleaning and soaking. I guess it all dries out sooner or later.

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

My thinking on the 91% vs. 70% is less water thus a faster drying out after treatment.

Come to think of it a lot of guys use 40-50% liquor for cleaning and soaking. I guess it all dries out sooner or later.

I didn't realize this until just now but I never smoke a cleaned pipe until at least the next day. I guess some part of me wants it to stay clean at least overnight but I was unknowingly giving it sufficient drying time.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

My thinking on the 91% vs. 70% is less water thus a faster drying out after treatment.

Come to think of it a lot of guys use 40-50% liquor for cleaning and soaking. I guess it all dries out sooner or later.

I use regular vodka. I think the aroma of other drinkable alcohol may taint the taste of the pipe (even after drying). The benefit is that I can swig the leftover and not reek of booze

Higher octane juice will probably dissolve the gunk quicker, making it easier and quicker to clean it. You're gonna let it dry for a couple of days in any case.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by Rolando

Why would I care if it is cleaned "better" when I am just going to smoke it again? It is clean enough. Tell you what... I will go out and get a bottle of everclear which is supposed to be the most ideal cleaner and compare after my next cleaning.

I find it odd that you seemed to take offense. I certainly meant none. Due to the alcohol breaking down the tar, higher proof will be "more efficient" in cleaning it out.

There are certainly a variety of opinions about which alcohol is best. I am not trying to espouse one over the other.




The argument that 91% would have quicker drying time does make sense. I know of a lot of knowledgeable pipe smokers who use lower proof alcohol and claim it imparts a flavor they like. Each to his own, I guess.

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

I find it odd that you seemed to take offense. I certainly meant none. Due to the alcohol breaking down the tar, higher proof will be "more efficient" in cleaning it out.

There are certainly a variety of opinions about which alcohol is best. I am not trying to espouse one over the

I was in no way offended. The fact of the matter is there is always a better way but we have to be careful with all the new people that are around here we keep things simple. I don't want someone who wants to smoke a pipe thinking they have to get all kinds of special equipment and cleansers. Rubbing alcohol is readily available and lots of us have used it for years. Should they use a higher grain and maybe everclear which won't damage the finish, well, maybe but it is not absolutely necessary. I am merely trying to defend the simple easy solution.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by Rolando

I was in no way offended. The fact of the matter is there is always a better way but we have to be careful with all the new people that are around here we keep things simple. I don't want someone who wants to smoke a pipe thinking they have to get all kinds of special equipment and cleansers. Rubbing alcohol is readily available and lots of us have used it for years. Should they use a higher grain and maybe everclear which won't damage the finish, well, maybe but it is not absolutely necessary. I am merely trying to defend the simple easy solution.

Thank you for clarifying that Rolando. Unfortunately, so much of our communication is Paraverbal (meaning Tone, Volume, and Cadence of our speech), and that information is difficult to get soley from words typed on a page.

I agree that keeping to a simple solution is best for people beginning something anew. I tend to like to try to know everything at once which is why I like to spout any information I know when asked.

Thanks for keeping us grounded.