An alcohol question

[Vox3l]

I came across quite a bit of 200 proof (pure) ethyl alcohol a while ago, and I was wondering if this could be used to clean a pipe bowl. I know lots of people use Everclear since it has a high proof, but I was wondering if 200 proof would be too high? And then there's the matter of the alcohol leaving a bad flavor behind.
Keep in mind, this is laboratory grade Ethyl Alcohol, 200 Proof USP 1 CS. I have researched it, and the warnings are a bit of a turnoff, but then again the exact same warnings are on the 70% isopropyl alcohol I've been using on pipe cleaners and the like, so I figure gloves and ventilation are all I'll need.
I just want to make sure there's nothing the alcohol could do to damage the pipe

[Vrbas]

Take a swig of it and if you survive, you're good to go

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Vox3l

I came across quite a bit of 200 proof (pure) ethyl alcohol a while ago, and I was wondering if this could be used to clean a pipe bowl. I know lots of people use Everclear since it has a high proof, but I was wondering if 200 proof would be too high? And then there's the matter of the alcohol leaving a bad flavor behind.
Keep in mind, this is laboratory grade Ethyl Alcohol, 200 Proof USP 1 CS. I have researched it, and the warnings are a bit of a turnoff, but then again the exact same warnings are on the 70% isopropyl alcohol I've been using on pipe cleaners and the like, so I figure gloves and ventilation are all I'll need.
I just want to make sure there's nothing the alcohol could do to damage the pipe

Don't get it on the outside of yer pipe, or it will strip the stain/color off in a heartbeat. Pure alcohol doesn't have a smell and no residue - it will evaporate and go ta-ta. And definitely don't drink it, probably make you blind in one swig

[Vox3l]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Don't get it on the outside of yer pipe, or it will strip the stain/color off in a heartbeat. Pure alcohol doesn't have a smell and no residue - it will evaporate and go ta-ta. And definitely don't drink it, probably make you blind in one swig

Alright! I think I'll wrap the outside of the pipe with plastic wrap or something before I go about cleaning it!
Thanks for the help!

[mrreindeer]

Cigar guy pokin' in to answer your question:

An alcohol question

Yes please.


Sorry.

[Vrbas]

Keep it away from your stem/mouthpiece too.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Vox3l

Alright! I think I'll wrap the outside of the pipe with plastic wrap or something before I go about cleaning it!
Thanks for the help!

I have had good luck precisely introducing the small amounts of alcohol required with an eyedropper. Check your local pharmacy for what suits you. No wrapping necessary if you don't have the DTs. Tip the pipe just so, so the booze doesn't surprise you by spilling out of the shank when you might least expect it.

[Smarvy]

200 proof ethanol is exactly what I use for cleaning my pipes and restoring estates. It will completely evaporate, and has a neutral flavor, so don't worry about it affecting the flavor of the pipe. Don't drink it, unless you mix it with lots of water first. You can kill your brain before you even start feeling tipsy. Seriously. Don't get it on the outside, like everyone else said, but it's easy to work with. Also, don't leave the bottle uncapped, or it will be all gone before you know it.

Aloha,
Justin

[Vox3l]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

Cigar guy pokin' in to answer your question:

[/b]

Yes please.

Haha well, I doubt one would want to take this stuff straight! I'm sure you could get piss drunk by dipping your finger in this for a little while. It does say it's kosher on the label though!

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I have had good luck precisely introducing the small amounts of alcohol required with an eyedropper. Check your local pharmacy for what suits you. No wrapping necessary if you don't have the DTs. Tip the pipe just so, so the booze doesn't surprise you by spilling out of the shank when you might least expect it.

Alright. An eyedropper sounds like a perfect idea! I wouldn't want to spill this stuff. At about $80 a gallon, I doubt I'll come across more of this for free!

To Vrbas:
Could it damage the stem? I splashed some of the isopropyl alcohol (70%) on the stem of a pipe once and it discolored it a bit, but the discoloration came off with a little spit, so I didn't think much of it and haven't noticed any weirdness since then.

[Smarvy]

Originally Posted by Vox3l

Alright. An eyedropper sounds like a perfect idea! I wouldn't want to spill this stuff. At about $80 a gallon, I doubt I'll come across more of this for free!

When you use the eyedropper, be a little careful. In my experience, when you've almost emptied the dropper, little bubbles form and pop at the end of the dropper, and if you're hovering over your pipe, tiny little splashes of alcohol can get all over it. I just refill the dropper before it's close to empty, and I generally do not have a problem. I still get the occasional blurble though, so just be aware.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Smarvy

...I just refill the dropper before it's close to empty... I still get the occasional blurble though, so just be aware.

D'uh! The bubble burble! I forgot that.

I hate the burble.

[PipesandGOP]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

D'uh! The bubble burble! I forgot that.

I hate the burble.

Had a bad case of the burbles one time... nasty stuff.

But yea, go for the alcohol treatment. Let it rest for a day or two and it'll be one of the cleanest tasting smokes you'll ever have.

[Smarvy]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

D'uh! The bubble burble! I forgot that.

I hate the burble.

The technical term is actually blurble, with two "L's". And yeah, it's a pain in the keester. When it happens, I end up telling people my pipe has a special "Rainshower" finish.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Smarvy

The technical term is actually blurble, with two "L's". And yeah, it's a pain in the keester. When it happens, I end up telling people my pipe has a special "Rainshower" finish.

Sorry. Burble is parachutist jargon. Blurble = eyedropper splash - right. Clinician's jargon?

[Smarvy]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Clinician's jargon?

Nah, I just made it up. What is burble in jumper-talk?