Pipe cleaning, is it really that straight forward?

I've been smoking pipes now I think for about two months give or take a couple weeks. At first I assumed maintenance was very straight forward, but the more I read and smoke, the more I wonder how to actually treat my new pipes. My biggest problem is managing cake. How do you guys clear all your doddle out without wiping the ash away that you just shook around to coat your bowl? How many smokes should I enjoy in that pipe before I DO clean that bowl? How many smokes should I enjoy before I get some grain alcohol or brown liquor of some sort and clean the pipe good? Everywhere I go the numbers are different...can anyone who has managed many pipes over the years just give a straight forward answer so I can stop worrying about maintenance. Thank you in advanced!