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Vicki

Yes, I have used different sizes of pipe cleaners.

Why can't you soak wood in alcohol? You should know the answer to that question.

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sterbo

Sounds like you're not sure of the answer, lol...

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Vicki

Of course I do. I'm just surprised you don't. Seems like common sense to me. Soaking wood in alcohol is bad for it, dries out the wood, etc. Back to my original intent in this conversation......concerned about the cleaning because of nooks and cranny's that might be missed while cleaning, and getting the whole thing clean in general. That's all I have to say.

water

I have had a genie for around 6 months now and it has built up little to no residue that I can see that would require cleaning it. I would add that you should not take the plastic mouth piece off, because it helps you maintain a steady airflow which is kinda important for getting a good hit.

sterbo

OMG Vic,
you've best stay away from those Super Market tabloids
Denatured (or isopropyl) alcohol will not harm any wood whatsoever. In fact, it acts as something of a stabilizer, bringing the cellular structure down to a 6 or 7 percent moisture content which is similar to kiln drying (albeit a different process).
As such the wood is much less subject to wild fluctuations during the milling process. Upon milling, turning, etc. to a form desired then you are able to maintain a piece indefinitely without fear of checking, so on and so forth.

As a point of reference, alcohol soaking is commonly used as the first step in of a process to replace water in older wood with a stable and inert binder therefore allowing the wood to maintains it's shape and prevent degradation.
As I mentioned, I've used alcohol for what, 30 years now, to clean my pipes, most of which are made from wood. You asked in another thread why I need more vaporizers?
I don't need them. I happen to love pipes and so I collect them. Something I suppose passed down to me from my Grandpa, who by the way, passed his collection on to me.
So there you have it my friend, sterbo's word on it. Trust me, I would never steer you wrong...

 

AnotherToker

Vicki-

Im thinking there may be some knooks under the bowl that would linger after a good probing with a pipe cleaner. It doesnt look entirely accessable. Also, the hole that runs through handle looks like it may be a tight fit even for smaller pipe cleaners but im betting they will fit. I dont have any here to try or I would.

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joshpackr

Thanks for the information on wooden pipes and alcohol sterbo. I too assumed that wood and alcohol do not mix. I never really researched the topic, I always just assumed.

O High O

Does the wood absorb the thc residue? I've used a wood pipe to smoke bud and I've noticed that the wood does seem to absorb the marijuana tar, though my wood pipe doesn't have any type of varnish or sealant(of course). That may be why it doesn't need to be cleaned.

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sterbo

To a point.
Brier (briar) is very dense, strong and stable wood. Because of it's density it will not absorb 'tars' to any significant degree. Therefore the cleaning of it is pretty straight forward. That said, it is wood so unlike glass you can expect that a minor degree of cellular modification will take place.
For those that use brier pipes for tobacco it becomes something of a desired 'patina'.
After continued use there develops a layer of carbonized tobacco and ash inside your pipe. "Cake", as it's referred to, acts as an insulator, which extends the life of your pipe.
Commonly, brier pipes are finished multiple buffed layers of carnauba wax. Excessive amounts of alcohol to the outside finish of the pipe can result in the wax degrading.
No matter though as it's simple to reapply and I find it actually becomes a nice ritual.

Most often I simply keep the air hole clear by using pipe cleaners. When I feel the need to be more thorough then I soak the inside of the stem and bowl with alcohol, finishing up with several passes of soaked pipe cleaners.

Over the years the nature of a wood pipe is unsurpassed in my opinion. It takes on a life of it's own, a natural material that while (technically) inert, lives on through it's owner...

Vicki

Sounds like a lot of work, and I'm still not convinced about the alcohol soak because I swear I saw someplace here that said you shouldn't do it. Confirming my suspicions. I'm going to look into this more.