Imagine: your favorite pipe cracks because it’s too dry in storage. Or you’re looking forward to a smoke session only to be met with a disgusting, musty smell and taste from too much moisture.

Have these things happened to you? Unless you have proper storage, they will soon.

Wholesale tobacco pipes require a lot of care. But that’s part of the fun! Taking care of your collection can be a great way to further your hobby and get to know your tobacco pipes.

In this article, we'll cover the basics of pipe storage and why it's important. By the end of reading this, you'll have a good grasp of the concept and will have some new knowledge and storage options!

Why should you store your tobacco pipes?

You should always have at least one pipe in storage. It’s best to rotate at least two each day.

When you smoke a pipe, it absorbs the moisture from the tobacco. Because of this, smoking the same pipe every single day can hurt the pipe’s integrity permanently. It’s best to give your pipe at least one day between uses so it can release any excess moisture and cool down.

If you smoke regularly, you should probably have even more than just two pipes. Some people have one pipe for each day of the week! True enthusiasts have dozens of pipes.

Storing pipes long-term

If you cycle through all of your pipes regularly, it’s okay to just air them. But if wooden pipes aren’t used for an extended amount of time, they risk becoming damaged.

After roughly five days, tobacco pipes have rested enough. Leaving your pipe out in the open for too much longer than that exposes it to changing levels of humidity.

To illustrate, Briar wood absorbs extra moisture extremely easily, so it expands and swells. Because of this, it’s prone to getting warped or- worst-case scenario- developing mold. Likewise, if the wood is too dry then it can crack from being too brittle. The shank is especially likely to crack.

Additionally, if you smoke a pipe that’s too dry it can hurt the wood by shocking it. And a pipe that’s too humid can cause an unpleasant smoke because the taste will be musty and it won’t stay lit for long.

It’s very important to keep your pipes hidden away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can ruin the wood varnish by bleaching it.

So here are some storage solutions!

Where to store your pipes

There are lots of places to store your pipes when not in use. Lots of people are perfectly fine with using an ashtray or a drawer, but proper storage is always better.

Avoid using a pouch. It won’t let your pipe air out properly after usage. This can cause excess moisture and a smell that affects the taste of your smokes.

Here are some vital tobacco pipe accessories if you want to store your pipe well!

Pipe racks

Perhaps the most popular way to store pipes is with a pipe rack. There are lots of different kinds of racks available on the market, and you’re sure to be able to find one that holds up to about seven pipes at a time.

The best thing about pipe racks is that they let your pipes air out properly after use. It also helps you keep track of rotation by storing them in a specific order.

If you’re just storing your pipes short-term, they’re the perfect solution for the majority of collections. But if you begin to have lots of pipes, you might need either multiple racks or a different storage method that’s more accommodating to your collection.

Airtight containers

Pipes are built out of natural materials like calabash and Briar wood. Because of this, they breathe and may either dry out or become too humid.

After resting your pipe for five days, it’s important to have some airtight storage available to help with controlling the humidity. It will also keep your pipes from getting dusty!

Some options include mason jars, humidor bags, cigar humidors, acrylic humidors, or a tupperdor.

Pipe cabinets

Pipe cabinets are able to store a great deal of pipes in one place. There are lots of different kinds of pipe cabinets, including ones that can be mounted on walls or stand on your desk. With a little searching, you can even find one that's built into the desk!

On the downside, it’s hard to find newer pipe cabinets. Most of them are vintage. Because of this, they tend to be on the more expensive side and are usually only used by dedicated collectors. But on the upside, this means they’re quite beautiful and are able to create a centerpiece in your room.

You can even fit airtight seals on some pipe cabinets to create humidity control so you can use them for long-term storage.

Final thoughts

Storing your tobacco pipes correctly will ensure their longevity- and help you enjoy your smokes more. Whether you opt for a rack, airtight container, or pipe cabinet, you’ll be making a good choice.

Humidity is the name of the game. Too dry and your pipe may crack, but too moist and your tobacco’s taste will be tainted. And you don’t want either of those things!

Consider humidity packs to add to your storage. As far as tobacco pipe accessories go, they’re a great addition to your storage regimen.