Nothing is more frustrating than a broken tobacco pipe. It can happen that pipes have been with you for many years, which makes it more difficult.
There are many ways to stop your pipes from bursting. A cake is one of the best ways to protect your pipes. There’s more to it!
So why do pipes break? How can you stop it?
Why do smoking pipes burst?
There are many reasons a Meerschaum or Briar pipe could burst. Let’s look at some of the more common problems.
The Mouthpiece is Worn Down
Repeated biting can cause the mouthpiece to wear. This happens towards the edges of the mouthpiece. This is because many pipe smokers bite down on their pipes to keep them in place. People who smoke while working and use their teeth to keep the pipe in its place are particularly vulnerable.
This causes the Briar pipe’s lip, made of hard rubber, break off or becomes defective. Acrylic mouthpieces are more durable than rubber, so this is almost impossible.
Acrylic may cause discomfort if you are prone to biting down on your pipe’s end.
It is best to not bite down on your mouthpiece in order to avoid it getting damaged. If you have a bad habit, you can still wear a mouthpiece. It is also easier to grip the soft material.
Broken Tenon
Broken pipes are most often caused by a problem with the mouthpiece.
Sometimes, a broken tenon can occur. Sometimes, the part of the tenon meant to be in your mouthpiece becomes stuck in the wooden mortise. This happens most often when the pipe has a filter of 9mm.
You can sometimes use the pipe even if it is not in good shape. If the tenon blocks the airflow, it will need to be repaired.
Dropping
The wooden part of your tobacco pipe could be seriously damaged if it is dropped. To get out the ashes, you can bang your pipe against a hard surface. Instead, grab your pipe and gently knock it. You can use a pipe pick or reamer if you still have trouble getting the ashes out.
If you are knocking your pipe onto hard surfaces, don’t hold on to the stem. This could cause it to break. You can clean your pipe with a wine cork or cork knocker.
This is done by gluing the cork to your ashtray. When you are done smoking, put your pipe against the cork to release the ashes. You can also use special pipe ashtrays to accomplish this.
Burnout
If you can see a hole in your pipe bowl, burnouts are serious. If your pipe gets hotter than normal, this is a sign to watch out for. If your bowl is getting deeper, it could be a sign of a bigger problem.
Overheating your bowl can cause burnout. The bowl develops a hot spot and starts to burn.
Burnouts can occur if your pipe is not packed correctly or if your pipe heats up and strains.
Burnout can also occur if the pipe cleaner gets too much or too little into the pipe. This can cause the bowl to wear slowly. You’ll find yourself with a literal crack in your pipe bowl if you don’t have a quick fix.
You can avoid burnout. You can prevent burnout by stopping smoking if your Meerschaum Pipe feels too hot, particularly if it is burning only in one area.
Learn how to properly pack and smoke your pipe. Do not clean the cake too often, as this can make your pipe more vulnerable to burnout.
Blockage
If you don’t clean your pipes enough, the main reason pipes can get blocked and clog up is because they aren’t cleaned properly. You may become lazy about cleaning your pipes if you smoke long enough. It is easy to be careless!
If you don’t clean your pipe regularly and consistently, it will become clogged with nicotine and tar. Your pipe will become less pleasant to use over time as the airflow becomes blocked.
Regularly cleaning your stem with a pipepick will prevent this from happening. To remove any clogs, you can use a shank brush. A thin, long wire can be used.
When cleaning your pipe, be careful not to damage it. Intentionally damaging a pipe while cleaning it is one of the most common mistakes.