| Without regularly cleaning your briar pipes, they will | | | | pipe cleaner through the stem, repeating the process |
| become a sour tasting experience, and will no longer | | | | until the pipe cleaners come out clean. Blow through |
| provide you with the smoking pleasure you desire. To | | | | the stem gently to dislodge any leftover ash and wipe |
| eliminate such problems, you need to embark on a | | | | your pipe with a soft cloth, perhaps with a dab of your |
| regimen of regular cleaning and maintenance for your | | | | favorite Pipe polish. Place the pipe back on it's rack or |
| pipes. | | | | stand and allow it to rest, hopefully for two to four |
| Tools for cleaning: Tapered pipe cleaners, bristle pipe | | | | days before it is smoked again. |
| cleaners, regular or extra fluffy pipe cleaners, pipe | | | | Once A Month |
| sweetener or grain alcohol, Shank brush or cotton | | | | You should give your pipes a deep cleaning. Most |
| swab. | | | | smokers do it on a regular basis. Experiment with how |
| Before You Light-Up: Caring for your pipes start with | | | | often you should do this cleaning in time you will know |
| you very first smoke. So, if you're a beginner, make | | | | what works best for you. |
| note; Before each smoke, run a pipe cleaner through | | | | Extra cleaning tools: Pipe Reamer & Pick. |
| the stem to remove any ash or tobacco left behind, | | | | First, carefully remove the stem of the pipe from the |
| then gently tap your pipe, holding it by the bowl, on a | | | | bowl and lay the two pieces on a paper towel. Dip a |
| cork knocker. Do not use force! | | | | regular pipe cleaner in alcohol and run it through the |
| As you Smoke: While you are smoking keep the | | | | stem. It will most likely come out with some black or |
| flame above the tobacco, so as not to char the rim of | | | | brown residue on it. Follow this pipe cleaner with a dry |
| your pipe. If the rim of your pipes begin to darken just | | | | one, and repeat until the pipe cleaner comes out the |
| moisten a pipe cleaner or cotton swab with saliva and | | | | same color as it went in. Run a last "dry" pipe cleaner |
| rub it. This will eliminate the dark color. If a pipe starts to | | | | to remove any moisture and set the stem aside. Using |
| have a bad taste while smoking, it is probably time for | | | | bristle pipe cleaners, moistened with alcohol, vigorously |
| a good cleaning. | | | | swab out the air-hole of the pipe, alternating with dry, |
| After Smoking: Before we start any cleaning | | | | regular pipe cleaners. Don't be afraid to use a lot of |
| remember NOT to remove the stem from a pipe | | | | pipe cleaners. Pipe cleaners are cheap, new pipes |
| while it is still warm. The stem may loosen and you can | | | | aren't. Once your dry pipe cleaner comes out the |
| end up cracking the shank or breaking the tenon. After | | | | same color as it went in, run another dry one to |
| each smoke, you should give you pipe a thorough | | | | absorb any moisture. Using a cotton swab or shank |
| cleaning. Let the pipe cool down completely, and then | | | | brush, clean out the tenon, the portion of the pipe |
| stir up any ash and residue left at the bottom of the | | | | where the stem attaches to the bowl. If your stem or |
| bowl. Cover the bowl with your fingers and shake the | | | | bowl has a band, now is the time to polish it. Carefully |
| pipe to evenly distribute the ash along the inside walls | | | | reinsert the stem into the bowl, and wipe it with a soft |
| of the bowl, which will greatly speed the formation of | | | | cloth with a little pipe polish . Allow your pipe to rest for |
| 'cake', a protective layer of carbonized tobacco and | | | | a couple of days before smoking it, this way the |
| ash inside your pipe. Cake is an insulator and greatly | | | | alcohol will evaporate completely. If you have cleaned |
| extends the life of your pipe, guarding it against burn | | | | most or all of your briar pipes at once, now is a good |
| outs. Dispose of the remaining residue, and run a bristle | | | | time to smoke your meerschaums. |