Ever try a bowl screen?

motie2

I've been using the stainless steel ball/basket type of bowl screen. It keeps a dottle from forming and prevents tobacco blockage of the airway into the stummel. All in all, I'm very happy with the results. Eventually, I'll have to confront removal and cleaning underneath it.

    (a close-up)

There are also brass and stainless steel disc screens, which I associate with "the other kind of pipes."

  

A third type is the glass and ceramic "screen"

  

ghostsofpompeii

I've never used the bowl screen because it just seemed like another way to affect the draw - which is why I quit using filters in my pipes. If I do use anything it's Keystones.

Woodsman

AS afore mentioned, not with tobacco. After all, I did come through the 60's and 70's.

motie2

@ghostsofpompeii -- After looking up <<keystones tobacco pipe>> in Google, I reckon they do the same thing -- in an ordinary pipe -- as a screen, lifting the tobacco, and also absorbing some moisture. In a Nording pipe, designed for them, they act solely as absorbents, yes?

EricRuark

I live on a sailboat and sometimes have to deal with too much wind. I use a wind screen. The one-size-fits-all model works well with most of my pipes.

PappyJoe

@woodsman - very true about what screens are commonly used for. At one time pipes containing a screen like the first two examples would have been considered drug paraphernalia used for smoking hash.

ghostsofpompeii

@moite2 Yes, they pretty much do the same thing as a screen while also working as a filter of sorts by absorbing excess moisture. I've heard some people say they re-use them - but once I've dumped the ashes from the bowl I also discard the stones as well. 

Woodsman

That's what the screens were for but the stainless basket is meant for tobacco.

motie2

And, as I indicated, I find it a useful addition.....

mfresa

I use them in all my pipes.  Keeps the dottle out of the stem...

motie2

@mfresa - Because of the non-linearity of posts, I'm uncertain what you meant by "I use them...." 

Which devices? Screens? Baskets? Ceramics?

Thanks.

mfresa

@motie2, sorry should specify. I use screens (stainless steel only) , but if I find the baskets, I'll try them too. 

motie2

@mfresa -- thanks for responding.

I find the stainless steel baskets to be an improvement over stainless steel screens, with two caveats:

1) they slightly lessen the interior size of the bowl

2) I installed them in each of my pipes when they were freshly reamed. They may prove difficult to remove as cake continues to form just above where they sit.

I have yet to remove one, and running a pipe cleaner through stem and stummel after each bowl seems to keep the pipe clear.... so far. (Although I expect there will eventually be a build-up of tar within and beneath the basket, but I'll deal with this when I have to.)

EricRuark

I have always felt that the basket inhibits the cake from forming properly along the entire length of the bowl.

motie2

Probably does prevent cake from forming at bottom of bowl, but ember never reaches the bottom of the bowl because of the basket.....

mfresa

@motie2, where can I get the baskets?  Anyplace online?  thanks

motie2

@mfresa -- Available in several diameters and materials; read descriptions carefully

https://www.amazon.com/Dophee-Tobacco-Smoking-Screen-Durable/dp/B01E6HP886/ref=sr_1_30

https://www.amazon.com/Scotte-TM-silver-Tobacco-Screen/dp/B01K19JRRQ/ref=sr_1_1

https://www.amazon.com/Eline-tobacco-screen-filter-silver/dp/B01MQQXDBB/ref=sr_1_4

https://www.amazon.com/Screens-Tobabacco-Smoking-Concave-Percolator/dp/B06XT1YRX3/ref=sr_1_10_a_it

https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Smoking-Screen-Percolator-Alluring/dp/B01MTV3LIA/ref=sr_1_16

mfresa

@motie2 - wow, English is evidently not their first language.  Made in China?

mfresa

@motie2 they all look the same to me.

motie2

@mfresa -  Note: some are described as "metal", others as steel, others as stainless steel. Some have listed diameters (one bigger than another) while some don't. As with every purchase from eBay, read the details carefully. I mean, sure, it's not a big investment by any means, but I like to know what I'm getting.

motie2

@mfresa and @ghostsofpompeii -- Here's one we have not mentioned: Philtpads

Philtpad: a molded piece of chalk that’s semi-spherical in shape with crossed ridges. Drop one in the chamber and the ridges raise the Philtpad up so it won’t block the airway. This serves two purposes – removing moisture and allowing good airflow. They can be reused.

motie2

@EricRuark -- I finally found two wind screens:

Two 25mm Dophee wind screens for $ 9.43

or 

One steel wind screen for $ 5.49

Shipping is the killer on either one. I'll wait 'til I get to a B&M.

mfresa

@motie2 thank you I will buy some soon.  Will probably get the basket screens too. 

motie2

Just remember, when you insert a basket, you will eventually have to remove it, hopefully without gouging the cake. After several bowls a lot of crap builds up under the basket and a pipe cleaner run through the stummle/stummel -- I've found it both ways -- won't do the job. I use a very thin bladed small screw deriver to pry an edge away from the bowl and then grasp the basket with long nosed pliers, twist and remove. Don't wait too long....