How do I use Savinelli Balsa Filters?
Savinelli Balsa filters are very simple to use, but they require a pipe designed to work with filters. On such a pipe, instead of the normal draft (air) hole in the tenon of the pipe, you will find a larger "filter chamber" where the filters are inserted. Most of Savinelli's pipes are designed to work with the Balsa System, but the balsa filters can be used with filter pipes from other companies as well.
To use the filters, simply take one of the triangular shaped balsa filters and insert it into the filter chamber of the pipe. Then insert the tenon (stem) into the shank of the pipe as you normally would. Fill the bowl with your favorite tobacco and enjoy! That's all there is to it.
The filter is designed to absorb moisture, tar, and other impurities that are present in the smoke. This occurs when the smoke passes through the filter as you smoke; there's nothing special that you need to do.
When you are finished smoking, and after your pipe has cooled down, you should remove the filter and clean your pipe as usual. Some folks allow the balsa filter to dry and then reuse it several times. I prefer to use the filters only once, but that is a personal choice. If you do reuse the filters, they should be discarded after they start to turn color from absorbing tar and other impurities from the smoke.
Many filter pipes are also "convertible," meaning they can be smoked without filters by using a small "converter tube" instead. The converter is merely a small cylindrical tube made of vulcanite or acrylic. It should be inserted into the filter chamber of the tenon just like a filter would be. If a pipe designed for filters were smoked without a balsa filter or converter tube, the large diameter of the filter chamber would allow too much airflow through the pipe. This would create several problems, such as increased combustion temperatures (causing painful tongue bite and possibly leading to pipe burnout) or promote excess condensation (causing pipe gurgle). The converter tube simply reduces the diameter of the filter chamber to be like that of a normal "non-filtered" pipe.
For additional information about the Savinelli Balsa Filter System, click here.
Where do you get a converter tube for a pipe?
ReplyDeleteYou usually get it with your pipe. If you got an estate without it, you may ask (I assume you own a Savinelli) on the Savinelli website. They ship anywhere.
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