The Brigham Distillator system was developed in the 1930s in response to a common complaint of pipe smokers - tongue bite. The Untreated Rock Maple distillator provides a natural filter that absorbs moisture, cools the smoke, and reduces tongue bite. The result you will find in the distillator is the benefits of a long stem pipe, without the need for the long stem, because the distillator allows you to hide the benefits of the extra length of wood inside of the acrylic pipe stem. The Brigham pipes, with their distillator system, have the added advantage over long stem pipes in that the extra length can be replaced. Each distillator lasts between 20-30 uses and can even be rinsed to last longer, though the manufacturer warns that repeated use swells the distillator and if not replaced, may get stuck inside of the stem in addition to being less effective over time.
The Brigham distillator system was developed in response to a common complaint of pipe smokers of the 1930s - tongue bite. Eliminating this burning sensation created by the tars and acids of the burning tobacco became a consuming passion for Brigham Pipes. The perfect taste-neutral and effective material was found to be natural, untreated Rock Maple. Each distillator is made by hollowing out the inside diameter of a 3.5” Rock Maple dowel and pressure-fitting a special metal cap to its end which helps the distillator fit snugly inside the pipe while making removal simple. The manufacturing process of the distillator uses no chemicals or adhesives to guarantee a taste-neutral system. The Brigham system extends into the stem, providing an extra inch of wood through which the smoke passes. Consider that in most other pipes, smoke spends half of its time passing along a plastic or rubber channel which can add negative flavour to the smoke while providing no benefit of its own. This combination of reduced exposure to plastic and rubber, drastic reduction in tongue bite, elimination of gurgle and flow-back as well as the ease of use has made Brigham the pipe of choice for generations.
Benefits:
Drastically decreases tongue bite (the burning sensation on the tongue)
Virtually eliminates gurgle and moisture
Does not impede airflow – you can pass a pipe cleaner through it
Does not impart any flavour of its own
Improves the smoking characteristics of even the wettest tobacco
Decreases the amount of contact smoke makes with the stem
Distillators are easily replaced and can even be rinsed, dried and reused several times
As part of the after-smoke cleaning process, when the pipe has cooled fully, remove the distillator and inspect it. If it is a very dark brown colour, it is time for cleaning or replacing. Being diligent will ensure all the benefits of our system and a dry, clean taste! Remember that our distillators are very effective sponges and have a finite capacity. Once a distillator has become saturated with moisture and impurities, its effects are eliminated and the benefits lost. Additionally, as the distillator is used beyond saturation, it expands in size to compromise the way it fits into the pipe. It is possible for a distillator to become very firmly wedged in the tenon if left too long. This is not irreparable but can lead to poor pipe performance and ineffective cleaning. The easiest approach is to replace your distillator once it becomes dark brown (almost black) with a new one. We recommend alternating between 2 distillators, allowing one to dry while the other is used Our distillators can be cleaned with water and left to dry before re-using. This is effective in a pinch, however, our studies reveal that this method reduces the distillator’s ability to operate effectively after a few repeats. The impurities are safely held there until the distillator is removed for cleaning. When a distillator becomes dark brown, it can no longer distillator effectively and should be replaced. Factors such as the relative wetness of the pipe tobacco, the amount of moisture originating from the smoker’s mouth and frequency of use can change the length of time it takes to reach saturation.
