Pipe cleaning-The Retort Method

[Bruck]

duly noted. I'll try to keep my eyebrows

Put masking tape over them, just to be safe

[NeverBend]

Excellent post. I wonder if getting some isopropyl to about 190* and using bristle cleaners could accomplish so of the same results if you didn't have a kit?

Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to make a great post about a very useful technique. I paid $20 for my kit but the profits went to Wounded Warriors so glad to do it.

Tobias,

Isopropyl alcohol isn't meant for human consumption along with the potential burn hazard. You can use spirits but the higher the proof the more effective it will be (and it will boil more easily).

Couple of points to add:

Get a stiff shank brush. P&C sells a five (5) pack for $4.99 (on the page with their pipe cleaners). Use Oxyclean (thanks Brandon) and wash them well to clean. Pipe cleaners smear the tars too much for my liking so I use them after the brush. Use lots of Q-tips but only quality ones where the heads won't fall off and get into the mortise for stubborn tar and buildup.

Quickly clean any alcohol that comes into contact with the surface or rim of the pipe. It will remove stain, That's what the cotton balls/paper towel are there to prevent.

You may be tempted to ream while the cake is soft. Don't. You should ream it before retorting the pipe. Andrew's comment about using the paper towel to smooth the cake is right on but use care (as above) to not have alcohol contact the exterior of the pipe. If you ream when the bowl is hot and cake wet you stand a good chance of nicking or gouging the briar or chipping the cake.

I retort 5-10 pipes at a time including my regular rotation. I do it once or twice a year and one shot is usually sufficient if you've maintained them. As long as you're getting dark residue in the alcohol you're being effective. Give the pipe a couple of days and, with Grey Goose Vodka, there's little remaining taste and you're pretty much good to go. I only use spirits that my daughters ex left (he left 5 bottles). He still asks if I found his stash....duh no!

It's not hard to do and you know that you did it correctly when you hear the 'pop' and see the dark returning alcohol.