Pipe Rack: Up or Down?

[Lazarus Long]

Speaking of pipe racks...

I have recently read that it is unwise to let your pipes sit with the bowl facing downwards in your rack as the moisture can collect in the bowl. I can see the logic in letting them hang the other way, but I am not yet convinced that it is an issue, especially since I have seen so many racks with that nice little bowl cradle carved into the bottom.

What do you folks do?

 

[dougc905]

Conventional wisdom has dictated that the bowl should be down to avoid moisture from drying in the stem and causing that to taste when placed in the mouth. The problem is avoided if you run a cleaner through the stem before putting the pipe aside though.

If you store your pipes with the bowl up, then you can do things like tuck them into a mug on your desk. The weight of the mug should keep the whole thing from falling over.

If you store your pipes bowl down, then the mass of the bowl will give the pipe stability. All you have to do then is keep it from sliding around.

Really, as long as you take care of your pipe before putting it aside, then it should be OK however you place it! Run a cleaner through the stem all the way to the heel of the bowl and place it so that it will be safe from damage. Pick any soggy tobacco out of the bottom of the bowl but don't wipe it. Then make sure that it has time to rest & dry completely before you smoke it again.

 

[Harlock999]

I like to rest my pipes on their sides, as if they are taking a nice nap

 

[Lazarus Long]

Thank you for the replies, it was helpful.

Happy New Year, and cheers!

 

[NeroWolfe]

Many old pipe racks (1800's, early 1900's), especially those to be wall mounted, were designed for the pipes to be BOWL UP.

 

[talrmn35]

My grandfather had a large collection of pipes and enjoyed them every day. He had wall mounted, and table top pipe racks. He always had them bowl down! Thats how I have mine now. I think if you take the effort to clean them out when done with them it shouldn't be a big deal...I just wish I knew what happened to all of my grandfathers pipes!

 

[hobie1dog]

If you look at all the pipe racks out there on Ebay, etc. you'll observe that 90% of them are made for the bowl to be down...there is a reason for that. :lol:

 

[Hermit]

If you look at all the pipe racks out there on Ebay, etc. you'll observe that 90% of them are made for the bowl to be down...there is a reason for that. :lol:

Feng shui :lol:

 

[hobie1dog]

If you look at all the pipe racks out there on Ebay, etc. you'll observe that 90% of them are made for the bowl to be down...there is a reason for that. :lol:

Feng shui :lol:

Yep...I didn't know what that reason was....but now I guess I didn't know how to spell it. :lol: