How to Clean a Pipe Screen

When smoking from a pipe you will need to clean your pipe screen on occasion or your pipe will clog. This risks destroying your expensive pipe. When residue builds up on your pipe screen your tobacco will develop a terrible taste and you will waste an entire bowl of tobacco. Follow these steps to learn how to clean a pipe screen.

Instructions

• 1

  Remove the screen from your pipe with a pair of tweezers. Be very gentle, screens are fragile.

• 2

  Inspect your screen for holes and other signs of damage. If your screen has holes in it replace the screen instead of cleaning it; holes will allow pieces tobacco to enter your mouth and lungs when smoking.

• 3

  Hold the screen between your thumb and forefinger and rock it back and forth to remove ash and residue. Blow on it and if it's clean you can put it back in your pipe; if it's still dirty you need to clean it more thoroughly.

• 4

  Grab your screen gently with a pair of tweezers and hold it over the bathroom sink. Burn the screen with a match or lighter for no more than 5 seconds.

• 5

  Cool the screen off before touching it with your hands. Grab it in between your thumb and forefinger and blow off the ash.

• 6

  Replace your screen if it still doesn't look clean. You should always keep extra screens on hand.