A system pipe is one that has been fitted with some extra element or an elaborate cooling feature both of which serve the purpose of regulating air flow, cooling the smoke or to block the moisture and/or tars, some incorporate all of these features some lean towards one particular area. Here we will have a look at some of these features................

Cooling System:
A cooling system usually consists of a metal tube which extends the path the smoke travels, thereby making the smoke cooler before it hits the tongue, hot smoke can cause tongue bite, you will find a fuller explanation of tongue bite elsewhere among these pages. Some pipes, in particular Falcon have a removable bowl for easier cleaning which screw into a metal base, the stem is also made of very light metal. The central part of the stem is spiralled and is cut away from the pipe, thus allowing for a cooler smoke by passing the heat from the smoke to the air.

Here we have a pipe with a carbon filter, these filters can also be found to be made of Balsa wood. The filter helps to stop the tars and moisture travelling up the pipe and into the mouth. Many pipes that are not system pipes may come fitted with a small metal filter which serve a similar purpose, the latter can either be discarded or kept depending on your preferences.

There are other pipes that have a small switch (see diagram) to regulate the air intake. With this method you can control the "draw" of the pipe and regulate the air flow.

This pipe from Amphora seems to have it all, carbon filter, air regulator and it even comes with a pre-carbonised bowl to ease the breaking in period.

This is a typical Peterson set up. There is a cut away underneath the bowl where the moisture runs back and collects in a sort of trap, notice the shape of the mouthpiece this is commonly known as the P-lip and the smoke is directed away from the tongue and up to the roof of the mouth instead.

And we must not forget the Hookah or as it is commonly known the hubble-bubble, this is also a system pipe in it's own right. The smoke is purified and cooled by the water.

A smoker that continually suffers from tongue bite may benefit from a pipe that cools the smoke, but we should not say this will cure this malady, there are many factors to consider, the type of tobacco, the strength of the draw, the way the tobacco is packed, the list goes on, but saying that the system pipe may prove to be an asset to the smoker with this problem.
Wet smokers may also benefit from these added aids, whether the moisture build up be from aromatic tobaccos, saliva, combustion or an accumulation of all these factors.
Smokers who wish to try some of the English blends as they are commonly known, but find them a little to strong for the pallet but prefer the flavour of un-adulterated tobaccos may find the air regulation pipes of great benefit. The air regulator can be adjusted so that a certain amount of air is drawn into the mouth along with the smoke, thereby calming the strength of the smoke.
As we can see from above there are many system pipes on the market today, this list is by no means comprehensive but it does give a little insight into the world of system pipes. Some PipeSmokers regard them as mere gadgets and refer to them as plumbing. Other PipeSmokers swear by them and would not use anything else. The main thing to remember is what is right for you, only you can decide which is the best way to proceed.