salt alcohol treatment

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I don't have any worries about cracking my bowl for cripes sake, but cotton balls are just easier unless of course you're biased against cotton balls

I'm going to put salt on your tail next time I see you. And salted or not I will continue to bust your (cotton) balls in 2009, Madhatter. Merry Christmas!

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I'm going to put salt on your tail next time I see you. And salted or not I will continue to bust your (cotton) balls in 2009, Madhatter. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Moo!

[The Pirate]

Originally Posted by Quick_nick

I just used the cotton ball and alcohol treatment and it worked just as well as salt with no possibility of a cracked bowl. it is also much easier to clean up.

Nick, I have never used the salt treatment, so I cannot speak through personal experience. I read posts last year from a couple of people who claimed this had happened to them. I think I also read the warning on the GL Pease site. I got the info from people with personal experience or knowledgebale positions. Not trying to talk anyone out of anything. The instance may be rare but still can pose a potential problem. I have never been hit by a runaway bus.
Does that mean that it does not happen?
The final decision comes down to the individual pipe owner. I, personally, woud rather make an over-cautious post than an irresponsible endorsement.
Ken

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by The Pirate

...The final decision comes down to the individual pipe owner. I, personally, woud rather make an over-cautious post than an irresponsible endorsement.
Ken

Pease and Pipedia (ref. below) aren't chopped liver. I must rethink salt. Thanks for your insight.

"What can I do when my pipe "turns sour"? A pipe, properly cared for, will probably outlast its owner. Occasionally, however, a pipe may begin to taste bitter or "sour." Sometimes this is caused by not allowing the pipe sufficient time to "rest" between smokes; other times, no cause can be determined with certainty. In any event, such a pipe can usually be rejuvenated by applying the "Professor's Pipe-Sweetening Treatment," publicized by Dennis Congos.
First, find some salt (non-iodized is preferred, but not essential), some alcohol (preferably "Everclear," or some other form of near-pure, non-denatured ethanol), and a place to rest your pipe in a semi-upright position. Insert a pipe cleaner into the stem of the pipe so that it extends into the shank. Fill the bowl to the rim with salt and drip or carefully pour alcohol into the bowl until the salt is just saturated. Try not to get any alcohol on the pipe's exterior, as this may damage the finish; any spills should be wiped up immediately. Leave the pipe alone for a day or two. After this time the salt will have turned brown from the absorption of "tars" from the bowl. Thoroughly clean all salt from the bowl and set the pipe aside overnight to dry completely. Your pipe will now be revitalized, and all traces of bitterness should be gone.
WARNING: Many people swear by this process, but the procedure is not risk-free. Some people have had pipes crack after this treatment, particularly when they allowed the salt and alcohol mixture to enter the pipe's shank and/or when they left the mixture in the pipe for several days. Any pipe with significant monetary or sentimental value should be sent to a professional pipe repair person."

[mclayton]

That little caveat is enough for me to justify not doing it to my Tsuge. Thank you.