| Author | Message | ||
     Gerard Carroll Member Username: Nogbad Post Number: 80 Registered: 06-2008 |
I have been trying to get some information on how often the filter in my new Big Ben pipes should be changed, but I can find nothing on the Royal Dutch website, and no instructions came with the pipes. The first filter seemed pretty skanky after one bowl of Sunset Breeze, so I changed it and cleaned the pipe. Savinelli recommend 2-3 bowls per filter with the small triangular balsa piece. The Big Ben filter is a complicated construct of ceramic perforated discs, a fibre sleeve and a filling of activated carbon vermicelli like things. I am tending towards changing the filter every bowl...... Great pipe for the price though, and the filter really tames the bite and sourness from the aromatic. | ||
| Tightwad Member Username: Tightwad Post Number: 169 Registered: 12-2006 |
Any filter for a pipe will need to be changed......depending..... on what tobacco's you smoke in it and how dry they are. It also matters if you smoke aeromatics or non-aeromatics since aero's will have more tars and such due to the flavorings on the tobacco. I smoke some drug store tobaccos that barely stain my filters. Then again I smoke some flavored aeromatics that require me to change after a couple of pipe bowls!! Their good but messy!! So at the end of the day you still have to learn what's best for your pipes,filters,tobacco's and you. Best of luck. | ||
| john Fordham Member Username: Pipe_dreamer Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2008 |
I change after every pipeful. the only tobaccos i can go two bowls itsthe boswell blends.good generic filters can be found at fumador fillters. | ||
| Duke January Member Username: Duke Post Number: 44 Registered: 05-2008 |
When I bring home a new pipe, I always allow one last inspection. When I take that gander at the pipe by removing the stem from the shank, I find a clean unused filter or stinger, I immediately pitch the impediment and proceed to an unobstructed smoke. Amen! | ||
| Gerard Carroll Member Username: Nogbad Post Number: 81 Registered: 06-2008 |
Thanks for the helpful comments gentlemen. I am going to change the filter after every bowl as you suggest John. With the Sunset Breeze, the filter is full after a pipeful. I am glad I discovered filter pipes, makes all the difference to the more heavily cased aromatics. | ||
| Tom Mueller Member Username: Tommueller Post Number: 163 Registered: 04-2008 |
Duke wrote: ". . .filter or stinger, I immediately pitch the impediment . . ." I do not use filters, therefore have never intentionally purchased a pipe designed to use them. The stingers used in some pipes are a different story. Have you ever smoked one with the "stinger" in place? I do not find them to be an "impediment" on the draw, and they do their job very well - as intended - to collect moisture. Peterson and other reputable pipe makers use them in some of their models; I find it difficult to believe a reputable pipe maker would do so if it created such an impediment. | ||
| James MacKay Member Username: Bigjim Post Number: 95 Registered: 09-2008 |
Following many years of not using filters after trying the paper ones, I now use the balsa filters in my pipes that accept them. I found the paper filters to be a goopy mess after one bowl and saw no real value added to my smoking experience. However, I purchased a pipe that arrived with some balsa filters and found them totally different than the paper filters. One balsa filter will last me for 3-4 bowls of tobacco and provides a dry and smooth smoke. FWIW, it's a nice change between pipes for me as I smoke one variety of tobacco for years on end. Regards. |