Removing Precarbonization

[RCortez]

Hello Brothers!

I recently acquired a new Kaywoodie Freehand online. I didn't realize, however, that the pipe was precarbonized when i purchased it.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of precarbonized bowls. I enjoy building the cake up myself. Precarbonized bowls just don't feel as authentic to me as a virgin bowl. And the one's I've smoked taste terrible.

I've heard of others sanding down or reaming the precarbonization with success and want to try it myself. Needless to say, I'm pretty hesitant as I don't want to damage my brand new pipe. I haven't found many resources about technique regarding this operation.

If anyone has tried this, please share your experience. Any opinions, really, would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Milan]

I've sanded the precarbonized bowl out on one of my Stanwells. I wrapped the sandpaper around a pencil and focused on the lower part of the chamber first and worked my way up the bowl. You need to be very careful around the rim as not to scratch it. You could tape it off with some masking tape. It takes time. It took me a couple hours of solid sanding to get the majority of the precarbon out of the bowl. I couldn't get it perfect, but did get it down to where you could only see slight remnants. My suggestion is to go ahead and give it a try. Take your time, keep your focus, and start at the bottom working your way up being careful not to scratch the rim. I imagine a Dremel tool with a sanding drum on the end of it would make quick work of a precarbonized bowl, but I've never personally attempted it?
Cheers,
Milan

 

[Cody V]

Dremel sanding drum makes quick work of it. Be careful though :shock:

 

[RCortez]

Still afraid to try the sanding, I've been doing some more homework. I read somewhere that using Everclear to wipe the inside of the bowl removes most precarbonization. I'll give that a try first. If that doesn't work, I'll give the sanding a go.

I'll keep you guys posted on my little project.


Cody,
Have you tried a dremel sanding drum on one of your pipes? How'd it go?

 

[RCortez]

So I went ahead and actually used a combination of wiping with Everclear and sanding. The Everclear got most of the Precarbon out. I took care of the stubborn areas with the sandpaper. The whole procedure took 20 minutes.

Haven't smoked it yet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Mikem]

I have used 100 grit sandpaper around a 1/2 wooden dowel and lightly hand sanded the inside of the bowl. I would be afraid to use a dremel. One hickup and you might possibly screw up the bowl. I have also used one of the red Scotch Brite pads and a dowel to remove carbonization (both new and old) As they say, your mileage may vary.....

 

[Milan]

I have acquired a new perspective on precarbonized bowls. I've had pipes in the past with precarbonized bowls that I couldn't smoke without sanding out the precarbon because of the awful taste. I've recently acquired pipes that would be considered a little higher quality than previously purchased pipes and the precarbonized bowls have had no impact on the smoking quality of the pipes. I think that some people know how to properly precarbonize a bowl and some people don't. Also, I think that a precarbonized pipe that sits for a long time before being smoked for the first time may run a higher risk of having that nasty bitter taste. I like the Everclear and light sanding information though. That's a smart approach when removing the precarbon is necessary. I never really thought about rubbing it off with a little Everclear, but it makes sense.
Milan

 

[nogbert]

I've recently acquired pipes that would be considered a little higher quality than previously purchased pipes and the precarbonized bowls have had no impact on the smoking quality of the pipes. I think that some people know how to properly precarbonize a bowl and some people don't.
Milan

i would have to agree with this. i do not have much experience with Pre carb pipes, besides my newly aquired Jirsa. The precarb on this pipe adds no taste whatsoever, as the smoke tastes ideantical to how it does in my trusty old cobs. i imagine that some companies the pre carb use a (somewhat) toxic binding agent for the carbon, but whatever Jirsa uses is amazing.

 

[PipeLeisure]

I wouldn't recommend using Everclear or any type of alcohol, I would just be afraid of getting some on the finish of the pipe and ruining the stain. I would go with Milan's method.

 

[TreverT]

I've recently acquired pipes that would be considered a little higher quality than previously purchased pipes and the precarbonized bowls have had no impact on the smoking quality of the pipes. I think that some people know how to properly precarbonize a bowl and some people don't.
Milan

i would have to agree with this. i do not have much experience with Pre carb pipes, besides my newly aquired Jirsa. The precarb on this pipe adds no taste whatsoever, as the smoke tastes ideantical to how it does in my trusty old cobs. i imagine that some companies the pre carb use a (somewhat) toxic binding agent for the carbon, but whatever Jirsa uses is amazing.

This. Generally, with a better quality pipe you won't notice the difference either way (I realize it's hip for a lot of guys to say they do, but blindfold them and they'd never know the difference in flavor). Good quality precarbs are just carbon, no different than what you'll be building up in the bowl yourself with smoking. Also, they'll usually wipe out fairly easily. One caution I can give is that if you really have to work at sanding it out, it probably uses a binder that is partly leeched into the wood, so you run the risk of sanding the carbon layer out and leaving yourself with an exposed wood surface that tastes like binder. FWIW!

 

[Young briar fan]

If all else fails drink the everclear!!! But don't give your new pipe a drink and then yourself a drink. Your pipe will drink you under the table!

 

[Fallout]

I put a pipe cleaner in the stem, and fill the bowl with Pipe masters cleaner. Let sit for a minute, empty it out and quickly clean out with a paper towel before the precarbon can harden again. Most of the gunk comes out like tar on the paper towel. Repeat the process once more, and your good to go. There's usually a little bit left in the bowl, but it's so little that it doesn't matter.

 

[riff raff]

Well, how did it smoke? I was looking at those Kaywoodie handmades last week, very nice! Pop up a picture as well.
I just picked up a Ferndown. I had read Ferndown uses precabonization and it tasted awful (from a several year old forum post). But, the inside of the bowl didn't appear that they had. I mulled over cleaning it, but just smoked it instead. No odd flavors, it smoked great.