Breaking in New Pipes: Before you smoke your pipe for the first time, moisten the inside of the bowl slightly with water.  Use your finger to distribute it evenly.  Don't moisten pre-charred bowls.  Pack tobacco firmly in the bowl, but never tightly.  Fill your bowl half full for at least three or four dozen times and be sure to smoke it all the way to the bottom of the bowl.  IMPORTANT: At the end of each bowl full, there should be nothing left in the pipe but dry ashes.  You can allow each bowl full in the pipe to go out as many times as you wish during the break-in period - just be sure to re-light it and smoke it to the very bottom of the bowl before you clean or re-pack the bowl.  Don't empty unburned tobacco from your pipe - smoke it!! To achieve a well seasoned pipe, you want to form a dry hard cake in the heel of your pipe before you start filling the pipe all the way to the top.  Don't break in the pipe outdoors, and never hurry the operation. Remember, if your pipe gets "too hot to handle" it is too hot to smoke.  After all, pipe smoking is a relaxing activity, so relax and smoke S-L-O-W-L-Y!! Lighting your pipe properly is an important part of the break-in process, too. Properly done, it ensures that your bowl will burn steadily and evenly, and offer a pleasant smoke.  Remember, the purpose is to get perfect combustion. When you first light the pipe, you will note the tobacco curls up as it catches fire. Gently tamp the tobacco back into place over the entire burning surface, light the bowl again, and it should begin to burn smoothly.  Continue to gently tamp the surface as needed until your pipe is thoroughly lit. TIP: Firm tobacco burns slow - loose tobacco burns fast. Tamp your tobacco down after every eight or ten puffs to ensure cool smoking pleasure. When you have finished your bowl full, knock the ashes loose in the bottom of the bowl and leave them until the pipe cools. Once they have cooled, shake them out. After you have smoked your pipe completely to the bottom, insert a dry cleaner in the stem and shank to remove any moisture from smoking. Do not leave the cleaner in the pipe as it will block out the air that will help dry out your pipe. No need to take your pipe apart each time either as this, improperly done, can cause damage. Pipe Cleaning: To clean Lucite stems, use 3 parts Alcohol, 1 part Acetone (we have proper cleaning solutions at The ORIGINAL Smokers' Haven). Blow out the solution rather than using a cleaner - this will allow the inner bore to blacken (a good thing!). Like any other implement of mankind, pipes wear out - however, pipes last much longer and give more satisfaction when a smoker has several and rotates the use of them (never smoke a certain pipe two days in succession).  If you smoke six or seven bowls full per day, the minimum selection should be seven good pipes - one for each day of the week. If you are an ardent pipe smoker who enjoys ten or twelve or more bowls a day, you should consider 14 quality pipes - two for each day of the week.  Alternating between the two throughout each day to give your pipes proper time to rest, air, and dry out.  With the right pipe collection you will enjoy pipe smoking at it's finest!! Like any "thoroughbred" your pipe requires respect and your consideration to get the most out of it.  Take good care of your pipe (it will require such a small amount!) and it will reward you with many hours of smoking pleasure. If you have any questions about breaking in your new pipe, or caring for your old standby, feel free to give us a call on our dime at 800.604.5900, or drop us a line at pipes@smokershaven.net, or just stop by! Remember, your pipe is as good as than the care you give it!