Quite often we get questions about breaking in a new pipe and about maintenance of pipes.
Below we give you a few good advices on how to break in, smoke and clean a pipe.

We can supply you with all the equipments needed to take proper care of your pipes – just take a look under "Acessories" in our online shop..

Breaking in Your new Pipe:
A new pipe must carefully be 'broken in'. A new briar should only be half-filled the first 5-6 times you smoke it to allow the charring process to begin gradually and to allow the virgin pipe to finally harden.
Packing your new pipe correctly with tobacco is vital. Even the first bowl will be quite pleasant if your pipe is packed correctly. If not, the pipe may burn hot and bitter.
Follow the instructions below – but only fill your pipe half full for the first 2-3 smokes. Thereafter gradually fill the bowl to the top.
This will assist the fast formation of a thin layer of char (cake) and improve the flavor of the pipe.
After smoking, do not refill your pipe while it is still hot. Allow your pipe to cool down - a hot pipe should never be refilled.
The breaking-in process should be repeated until a thin coating of carbon covers the bowl.
A carbon coating no thicker than 1/16" will protect the bowl and enhance smoking pleasure.
After smoking, allow time for you pipe to cool down.

Packing your pipe:
When packing your pipe small pinches is best. Each time you add a pinch, tamp the tobacco gently. Trickle in tobacco until overflowing. Tamp down and repeat the process until the bowl is full, with a slight springy feel.
Draw through the mouthpiece from time to time, to make sure that it is not plugged up.

Lighting your pipe:
Lighting the pipe should preferably be done with a pipe lighter or wooden match.
When the flame is applied to the tobacco the tobacco will rise gently.
The first light is to create a charred ‘lid’ of tobacco that will hold the second light. Move the flame all around the tobacco, igniting it completely. Be careful not to scorch the bowl rim.
Tamp the charred lid down gently.
Now the second light. Puff slowly and rhythmically as you move the flame over the charred tobacco.

Smoking your pipe:
Tobacco is a natural product and it will go out if not puffed regularly. It is only natural from time to time to experience a little gurgle of moisture in the pipe. These natural juices shall immediately be removed by running a pipe cleaner down the air hole, retamping the tobacco, and re-lighting, if necessary.
We recommend smoking the tobacco to the bottom of the bowl for best results.

Storeing your pipe:
Store your pipe in a pipe rack, with the bowl facing down, whenever it is not in use. Facing the open end of the bowl down allows gravity to draw moisture to the bowl, where air will naturally circulate and dry it out.
Newer leave a pipe cleaner in the pipe - it will only stop the air getting around inside the pipe.

Daily cleaning of your pipe:
If you follow the above steps and smoke your pipe gently, the cleaning process is a fairly simple matter.
Just tip the fine ash from the bottom of the bowl, then run a pipe cleaner a couple of times through the stem to remove the moisture that has accumulated there.
Never knock your pipe against a hard surface, as this is certain to damage it.
Always allow the pipe to cool before the mouthpiece is removed. The pipe expands when it is hot and can easily crack if not allowed to cool down.
After cleaning the mouthpiece, allow all parts of the pipe to dry before putting them back together.

Continued maintenance of your pipe:
We recommended that you every couple of weeks give your pipe a more thorough clean.
To clean and polish your pipe you will need a few simple tools that we can supply you with.
We also offer a complete cleaning and maintenance kit that holds everything you need to take good care of your pipes.

We hope these simple advices will help you to enjoy your pipes even more.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us, if you have further questions.

Kind regards
Margit & Aage Bisgaard