Bare Bowl Break-in

[WarmGlow63]

After 16yrs of pipe smoking I finally happened to purchase a pipe without any bowl coating (Luciano ring grain bent billiard). Any recomendations as how to break it in without causing any damage? Or do I just break it in the normal way? I know everyone has their own method regarding break-in.
Thanks in advance. Jeff...

 

[Kapnismologist]

My suggestion: smoke slowly and gently for the first half dozen or so bowls, especially the first few. I really cannot recall ever having a problem breaking in a pipe with the 'slow start' method.

By the way, I always, always, always sand out any bowl coating which might happen to have been slathered in the chamber of a new pipe, so every new pipe I am ever owned has had a bare naked chamber to start with.

Just my two cents - I am sure you'll gets lots of other bits of advice shortly.

 

[WarmGlow63]

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense to me., especially based on the fact that all your break-ins are done in a bare bowl..

 

[Frost]

It seems to me that I actually have better luck breaking in naked bowls than I do with coated ones. Had a Luciano poker that broke in effortlessly, a Brissett and a Yakslon that were the same way...all uncoated. The Sasquatch I am working on now is looking good too, although it's only had a couple of half bowls so far so really it only looks half good and it remains to be seen how my relationship with it will develop over time...

My coated bowls (mostly stannies, a Pete, a boswell, a Nording, a kaywoodie and some no names) all seem to have taken about twice as long and a bit more effort to start really getting sweet and having that thin, even layer of cake. I've got a Stanny shape 30 that I've had for months and smoked dozens of bowls in and it still doesn't quite feel or taste broken in.

 

[WarmGlow63]

Thanks for the input. I guess it's just the thought of putting a flame to bare wood that is a little un-nerving. But briar is pretty hardcore as far as wood goes (from my experience). Yeah, I know what you mean about some coated bowls. My Petes were a chore breaking in. But once done, they smoke like a champ.

 

[Sasquatch]

Briar's really, really heat resistant. If you are even the littlest bit careful not to smoke hot for the first... dozen or so bowls... it will be fine.

I mean geez, if Frost can break in a bare bowl without wrecking a pipe....

 

[WarmGlow63]

I guess I'll TRY and be extra careful with this one. You guys know how it is to get excited about a new addition to the briar stable. As I'm getting older I slowed down my puffing technique, so I should be good to go.

 

[Hermit]

Just do what you been doin' fer the last sixteen years.

 

[Frost]

I mean geez, if Frost can break in a bare bowl without wrecking a pipe....

You jest, but as absent minded and unintentionally careless as I tend to be, if I can get 'em broken in without ruining the pipe it is a pretty safe bet that warmglow will be ok. :lol!:

 

[TallSmoke]

Has anyone ever heard of rubbing a little honey in the bowl prior to the first smoke, letting it set overnight? I've never tried it, but it seems I have heard it in a few places.

 

[Kapnismologist]

Has anyone ever heard of rubbing a little honey in the bowl prior to the first smoke, letting it set overnight? I've never tried it, but it seems I have heard it in a few places.

Heard it many times, and other additions aside (the idea is that the sugar caramelizes and burns and creates a carbon coating). Basically, I am of the opinion that there are only a limited number of things which should ever go inside the bowl of a finished briar pipe: tobacco, a flame, a tamper, a folded over pipe cleaner or rag to swab it, and a reamer, sandpaper, or pipe knife blade now and again so as maintain the cake.

 

[mark]

Has anyone ever heard of rubbing a little honey in the bowl prior to the first smoke, letting it set overnight? I've never tried it, but it seems I have heard it in a few places.

Yes, I've had two pipes that wouldn't build an even cake. For what reason I do not know, but specific areas were a little scorched with no layer. I sanded out the cake and coated with honey, let it set a couple days and started again. Smoking the bowl to the bottom, then holding my thumb over the bowl and shaking the ashes to coat evenly. A couple bowls with shaking and they built a layer and smoke great. read about it somewhere, just like you.

 

[MisterE]

I think the honey trick comes from the Hacker book. That´s where I remember learning of it anyway. It works, but can leave a little taste in there. I agree about removing the pre-carbonization- it really is a pain in the ass. I had a pre carbonized Peterson and it started to fall off in chunks after a couple of bowls! I scraped it all out and started from zero again and its a fine smoker now. :cat:

 

[Sasquatch]

Honey, grape jelly, carbon (ash) and sugar... just a little hint to the pipe that some black stuff on the walls is a good idea!

 

[Hermit]

Honey, grape jelly, carbon (ash) and sugar... just a little hint to the pipe that some black stuff on the walls is a good idea!

Don't forget the peanut butter. :lol:

 

[mark]

That reminded me of when I was a kid,,,my father and I went to visit his friend,,,the kids were playing in the yard blowing bubbles from a pipe,,,their dad came out of the house to greet us only to find his favorite pipe full of soap suds,,, they had dipped the stem in peanutbutter cause it tasted yucky,,,,needless to say it was a very short visit,,,

 

[Sasquatch]

Way to go, Hermit. Now some dummy's gonna be posting on other forums about how he read that peanut butter helps build cake.... :x

 

[Kapnismologist]

2 cup PB; 1 cup sugar; 1 stick butter; 1 ... oh wait, that's the recipe for mom's Peanut Butter cookies...

 

[WarmGlow63]

Hey guys, I just logged in and checked my post. Thanks for all the replies & insight. I think I'll just do what I've been doing all these years- 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 bowls. But I suddenly have a craving for a PB & J sandwich, I don't know why...