isopropyl alcohol?

[Fight'n Hampsters]

I'm planning on using some (90%) tonight with kosher salt to de-funk an estate pipe. Any reason why I should shell out extra money for everclear or high proof vodka instead of isopropyl alcohol?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

In my humble, it created a bitterness (the 90% isopropyl, that is) that lingered in the stem for a while (as in, half a bowl-full) after I supercleaned a pipe. To test this theory, I used it on an already-clean pipe. Dried for a day. Same thing. Apparently my tongue isn't into it.

Some don't detect any residue, some do, it seems. Try it out, if you don't like it, you have a great disinfectant and antiseptic wash for cuts and scrapes. 8) I prefer ethanol alcohols for my pipes. The littlest bottle of Everclear will go a LONG way, but yeah, it's pricey by comparison.

 

[ZeroContent]

And it's not legal in all states, like mine.

But just out of the fact that ethanol is consumable by humans i would go for that if you can.

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

I use Everclear, GL Pease uses it or some 150 proof alcohol, other guys just use bourbon. I think the more concentrated the alcohol, the better it acts as a solvent. But if you're willing to do more rubbing and more passes with bristle cleaners, it should work (but I don't know how isopropyl differs, if at all, from the alcohol in spirits).

 

[Kyle Weiss]

(but I don't know how isopropyl differs, if at all, from the alcohol in spirits).

They're different chemicals of a similar nature. One can be metabolized without ill effect (or at least, delayed ill effect, as many of us probably have discovered with ethanol or grain alcohol :lol: ) the other, isopropanol or isopropyl, matabilizes as a toxin in a faster and very unpleasant way. Which is why we don't drink it. 8) That's my understanding of it on laymen's terms.

Vito's a walking compendium of information and specifics, maybe he should chime in on a long, comprehensive post on this matter. :lol:

 

[user 2031]

...

 

[flytyer]

Everclear is the way to go if you can get it.

 

[MisterE]

Iso works great. I've been using it for years.

 

[PipeLeisure]

I use 190 proof Grain Alcohol which is illegal in Mass so I have to buy it in RI...only 20 min away so its no big deal.

 

[Fight'n Hampsters]

Thanks for all the advice! I went ahead and decided to use everclear. It is legal here is KY and I was able to get a small bottle of it. I will also try iso in the future and see how that works.

 

[Milan]

Thanks for all the advice! I went ahead and decided to use everclear. It is legal here is KY and I was able to get a small bottle of it. I will also try iso in the future and see how that works.

Kentucky? Don't bother with Everclear... Moonshine! :drunken:

 

[Fight'n Hampsters]

Thanks for all the advice! I went ahead and decided to use everclear. It is legal here is KY and I was able to get a small bottle of it. I will also try iso in the future and see how that works.

Kentucky? Don't bother with Everclear... Moonshine! :drunken:

naw ser, that stuffs just fer draink'n

:lol:

 

[Smoker99]

Isopropyl marketed as rubbing alcohol is often perfumed, don't use that. Alcohol is vastly overrated as a disenfectant. It will kill many organisms, but not many that will kill you.

 

[Hermit]

Isopropyl marketed as rubbing alcohol is often perfumed, don't use that. Alcohol is vastly overrated as a disenfectant. It will kill many organisms, but not many that will kill you.

Yeah, but are any of those nasties likely to be found in estate pipes?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Isopropyl marketed as rubbing alcohol is often perfumed, don't use that. Alcohol is vastly overrated as a disenfectant. It will kill many organisms, but not many that will kill you.

Considering a vast many deadly pathogens and bacteria are killed merely by too much atmosphere exposure, it would go to suggest that with a good "drying out" after alcohol disinfection would have excellent results. Unless you irradiate with gamma rays, I can't see a better way to disinfect a tobacco pipe that won't also destroy said pipe.

Moreover, alcohol is a solvent for tobacco tar in this instance rather than as a disinfectant. At least as I've been following it.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

I use drug store isopropyl alcohol to clean all my pipes.

 

[SmokeyTweed]

interestingly enough i work with gamma radiation so as my pipes go through rotation i guess they also are disinfected of bacteria...never considered this.

 

[SPUD 15]

I'm planning on using some (90%) tonight with kosher salt to de-funk an estate pipe. Any reason why I should shell out extra money for everclear or high proof vodka instead of isopropyl alcohol?

90% Isopopyl will work fine just make sure the salt in not iodized and add the alcohol with an eye dropper or something similar as to keep the alcohol from getting on the finish of the pipe.

 

[Wet Dottle]

I also use isopropyl alcohol as cleaning agent, in the highest concentration I can find. I think last time I got 92%?...

 

[Kyle Weiss]

interestingly enough i work with gamma radiation so as my pipes go through rotation i guess they also are disinfected of bacteria...never considered this.

Much like those who are sensitive to the metal in stingers and residue of isopropanol, gamma radiation is best. :lol: Hell, if you have access to it, ion-bombs away, as they say.