What makes a pipe filthy?

[Slow Puffs]

My new-found obsession in keeping my pipes as clean as possible has led me to this question:

What makes a pipe filthy? (yes they are all filthy, but some seem to "invite" the crud and crap).

I always thought that some tobaccos just smoked filthier (dirtier) than others.

I haven't done a test... but I assumed that tobaccos containin latakia would be the filthiest. Then I thought, no, I bet aromatic tobaccos are the filthiest.

Then I ventured a thought that "filter pipes" are likely the filthiest, especially when you don't use the filter.

But tonight, another thought came to my mind. I bet the "construction" of the pipe is the main issue here.

What are some of your thoughts

 

[Kapnismologist]

This is a very interesting question. I look forward to seeing how folks respond (I tend to think it is a matter of construction, individual smoking/pipe care habits, and then the tobacco smoked - in that order).

 

[Hermit]

What makes a pipe filthy?

Smokin' tobacco in em.
Only one way to keep em "clean."

 

[Sasquatch]

Some briar is more absorbant than others, and the cut of the wood can help or hinder sucking up goo. Poor design and engineering execution will lead to unecessary condensation and "more goo".

But really, pipes get a bit dirty when ya smoke em, and that's what those weird cottony wire things are for.

Given your results with the rummy pipe cleaner in the shank the other day, Paul, I'd say you keep very clean pipes, and good on you.

 

[SmokeyTweed]

I find it has to do with how i smoke then what i smoke. If i'm really huffing on a pipe i would imagine the products of combustion would gather up faster than the pipe would be designed to handle and more build-up would occur. At least thats what i find when i'm cleaning mine.

 

[Muddler]

I've found Petersons to smoke the dirtiest & Mastro de Paja's to smoke the cleanest. No idea why that should be. I also find the lat blends seem to leave more dark gunge on a pipe cleaner than others.

 

[Dmntd_1]

Smoking a pipe is what makes it dirty on the inside, handling a pipe is what makes it grubby on the outside, that’s it. How dirty a pipe gets is entirely dependent on how well it is maintained, good habits make for clean pipes.

I clean and polish my pipes once a month, rarely is more than one pipe cleaner needed for each pipe, the reason for this is… After smoking and before putting a pipe away, every time, I’ll moisten a pipe cleaner with saliva and run it through the stem and shank (without taking the pipe apart), follow that with a dry pipe cleaner then repeat as needed until a pipe cleaner comes out clean. Then fold a dry pipe cleaner in half and brush out the chamber before rubbing the bowl and stem with a clean cloth to remove finger prints.

In my opinion, cleaning your pipes is a lot like cleaning your guns; it should be done after every use. I don’t smoke dirty pipes, or shoot dirty guns.

 

[Anonymous]

I've found Petersons to smoke the dirtiest & Mastro de Paja's to smoke the cleanest. No idea why that should be. I also find the lat blends seem to leave more dark gunge on a pipe cleaner than others.

on the button Mudd!
Agreed!
Hermit, good observation brother!
Filters and non filtered pipes smoke about the same for me in terms of dirtyness. I dont think I have noticed a difference!

 

[Natch]

Paul,

If, as I assume, you're referring primarily to the inner workings of a pipe getting filthy, I would guess that the bore, angle of bend, obstructions, and such would be major impacting factors? We often read on this board about Brothers that have very dry, clean smoking pipes, and how they often assign it to a good, clean, smooth bore.

One could use Kirstens to illustrate the point. They're designed to draw the smoke through a small opening into a rather larger "cavern", where with the drop in air pressure, vortexes and turbulence, and contact with the large, metal radiator stem (that is probably cooler than other materials used in pipes) all influence and promote condensation. They're designed to do exactly that (and I personally think they're great at doing it!) and designed to be easy to dump out the resulting fluids and clean out. For those that ever bought an old Kirsten on eBay that had been smoked several times without cleaning and then left to dry for years, you'll know what a filthy pipe (internally) is.

Of course the tobacco and specifically the moisture level in it are impacting factors, but my vote for the major influencing factor is how the smoke stream is "handled" while traveling from bowl to mouth.

Natch

 

[babysinister]

latakia and perique, in pipes that condense too much when you smoke it, either because of pipe design or heavy puffing or both.