Do you go through several pipe cleaners every time you have a bowl?

[Cool Breeze]

It may be the moisture content that's making it happen.
I smoke a lot of SG flakes and we all know how they come.

Usually when I get home from work, I'll lay out a flake. Then about 3 hours later I'll rub it out and smoke it. It may just not be enough time.

I'll also watch out for breathing into the stem like Tobias mentioned. That likely happens often as well.

I'll take @Shemp Jizzle advice and try to dry it out until it looks too dry. I don't know why I have such a fear of that. For some reason I think if I dry it too much the flavor will be gone.

[Shemp Jizzle]

I'll lay out a flake. Then about 3 hours later I'll rub it out and smoke it.

I know you want to look at a mason jar and see all the pretty flakes in complete form but i have pre rubbed flakes and let the whole tin room dry for 1-2 hours and just jar them ready rubbed. Flakes hide a ton of moisture.

cuts the drying time in half when you get the yearning for a bowl.