How to Clean a Tobacco Pipe in 5 Simple Steps

If you are a pipe smoker, then you know how quickly the pipe becomes dirty. Unlike cigarettes and other tobacco products that are disposable, a pipe is used time and time again. If it’s not cleaned properly, it can become extremely dirty, which is highly unsanitary. As dirt and burnt tobacco build up inside the pipe, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow as well. Not to mention you will be puffing on dirty, old tobacco if it isn’t cleaned! 

If you are a social or occasional smoker, then you should be fine with weekly or monthly cleanings. However, if you are an avid smoker who uses a pipe at least a few times a week, then you should be doing a basic cleaning after each use. A well-maintained pipe can be deep cleaned either weekly or monthly, depending on the dirt and tobacco build-up. 

Depending on how frequently you choose to clean your pipe, you’ll have to follow different steps. At the very least, though, you want to make sure you clean your pipe every couple of weeks, if not every week. 

While there are different cleaning routines ranging from daily to weekly to monthly, for the purpose of this article, we’ll discuss a monthly deep clean. You can follow five simple steps to achieve a deep clean. Keep this in mind: cleaning a pipe is a dirty job, so be prepared to get your hands dirty (and wear something you don’t mind getting stains on). Keep reading to find out how to clean a tobacco pipe. 

What Are the Different Parts Of a Pipe?

In order to properly clean your pipe, you need to first familiarize yourself with the parts that it is made of. A pipe has two main pieces that connect to each other. These are called the stummel and stem. 

The stem is the mouthpiece part where you put your mouth to puff on the pipe. The parts that make up the stem are the button, the bit, and the tenon, which is what connects it to the stummel. 

The stummel is the base part of the pipe where you pack the tobacco. It has five parts, which include the mortise, the shank, the chamber (which holds the tobacco), the bowl, and the draught hole. Knowing which part is which will make cleaning the pipe much easier.   

What Tools Will I Need to Clean My Pipe?

There are quite a few things you will need in order to perform a deep cleaning of your pipe. These items are as follows:

• Q-Tips- These are important for cleaning out all the nooks and crannies that pipe cleaners can’t reach. Their thick, absorbent cotton is important for scrubbing dirt and grime. 
• Paper towels- You can use a cloth instead, but keep in mind that it will get stains that won’t come out. Paper towels help to keep things tidier when you clean up the mess.  
• Alcohol- The type of alcohol you use to clean your pipe is really up to you. The alcohol will help to sanitize the pipe and kill bacteria. Most people opt for rubbing alcohol, but you can use a plain liquor like vodka as well.   
• Shot glass- This is optional, but pipe aficionados claim it works great for holding the right amount of cleaning alcohol. It also makes it easy to dip your q-tips in. 
• Pipe cleaners- You can use soft pipe cleaners or hard-bristle pipe cleaners, whichever you prefer. Hard-bristle pipe cleaners can help to scrub tough dirt, whereas soft pipe cleaners are good for removing soot and leftover tobacco. 
• Pipe tools- Most pipe users own a pipe tool, which is basically like a Swiss Army knife for pipes. It helps you pack your pipe, but it also has an attachment that is helpful for cleaning purposes.  
• Reamer- This is an optional tool you can use for pipe cleaning. Not every pipe smoker owns one, and you will only use it every few months or so. It is used to remove the layer of charred tobacco that lines a pipe’s bowl. 

Step 1: Cleaning the Rim

The first step is cleaning the rim of the pipe. You will need alcohol and q-tips for this step. We recommend that you do not use strong alcohol for this step because it could damage the wood. A better idea is to use brandy or dark rum, which will not affect the finished wood but would still sanitize and clean it. 

Use your q-tip and dip it into the alcohol, and then clean the rim of the pipe. If a layer of char has built up over time, use something dull to gently scrape it off.  

Step 2: Cleaning the Shank

The second step is cleaning the shank. For this step, take your pipe cleaner (preferably bristled) and soak it in alcohol. Then, use the pipe cleaner to scrub away buildup on the shank, following the same process that we listed in the first step. These first two steps will help to remove leftover char and burnt tobacco. 

Step 3: Cleaning the Stem

The third step is cleaning the stem. Use your pipe tool to scrape the inside of the tenon. Make sure this tool has been soaked in alcohol as well. You can then use another bristled pipe cleaner and give it a good interior scrub. Again, you are trying to remove any buildup that will clog your pipe. This is where your mouth goes, so you want to make sure it is extra sanitary. 

Step 4: Reaming the Bowl

The fourth step is reaming the bowl. You will need the reamer tool we mentioned earlier in the article for this step. This is something you really would only need to do every month at most, and even every few months is fine. You insert the tool into the bowl and twist it. This will remove all the residue and ash that is leftover. Then, clean the bowl using the alcohol-soaked pipe cleaner technique from the previous steps. 

Step 5: Soaking the Bowl

The fifth step is soaking the bowl in salt. This is the best way to ensure every bit of residue and buildup is completely removed. If you’re gone a whole month smoking your pipe, this is an especially important step to follow to really remove all the grime. You must first stuff the shank so that the salt and alcohol mixture does not leak out. Then, fill the bowl of the pipe with large-grained salts, like kosher salt. Add alcohol to the brim of the bowl, and then let the pipe sit overnight with the mixture. When you are done, simply rinse out the salt and alcohol mixture, and your pipe will be as good as new!

What Steps Do I Need to Take For Daily Care?

There are three basic steps you need to follow for daily pipe cleaning. Basically, you can follow these steps each time you smoke your pipe. You don’t have to do anything as thorough and intense as the monthly deep clean we listed above. But, for sanitary purposes, it is definitely smart to follow these three steps each time you smoke. 

1. Cleaning the rim
2. A light cleaning of the shank and stem
3. Cleaning the pipe bowl 

We described these steps in-depth above, so we do not need to repeat how to do each step. If you want to keep your pipe in good condition and make sure it is clean before each use, follow these three steps to maintain it and prevent having to throw it away. 

Conclusion

If you are a regular pipe smoker, then it is important to maintain your pipe so it lasts for a long time. Regularly cleaning it can help to keep things sanitary for you and improve the durability of the pipe. Thankfully, you only need to follow five easy steps to do your monthly deep clean. If you choose to clean it daily, you are looking at around three steps to follow, which gives you a more basic cleaning. 

If you need loose tobacco for your pipe, you can order it from Saucey. We will deliver your product right to your door, which keeps things simple and, most of all, convenient. And, we offer a wide variety of different products. For those who are tobacco users but do not use pipes, we’ve got you covered as well. We sell cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, and cigars. If you need lighters, cigar cutters, or rolling papers, we have those too!