How Often Do You "Deep" Clean Your Pipes?

[Branzig]

So far, never. Should I?

My policy has always been only if it smokes sour. I asked the question here because I find it interesting.

I don't ever deep-clean pipes. I smoke only one pipe on any given day. At the end of the day I spend close to an hour cleaning that pipe. I clean the rim with Everclear (140 proof) and EVOO. And swab out the bit and shank with pipecleaners wetted with Everclear.

If the pipe has a vulcanite bit I polish it with Colgate toothpaste applied to a tensioned piece of flat shoelace. Then a final polish of the bit with neutral Kiwi shoe polish.

Not regularly, but as needed, I ream. And clean the outside of the pipe with EVOO.

If you are spending an hour cleaning said pipe, IMO you do deep clean. Every night

Anytime the use of alcohol is involved, I consider that deep cleaning.