A Question for Plug Smokers

[oldreddog]

I'll be honest I am developing a strange fixation with plug tobacco
I have been preparing the tobacco by thinly slicing and rubbing out, with very good results. It seems to me that this is yet another wonderful ritual attached to pipe smoking, and worth the little extra time it takes to prepare.
Last night I decided I would try to slice the plug and fold it rather than rubbing. So I grabbed a plug of Condor and cut a nice fine slice, folded it in half put it in the pipe and tried to light. To no avail, I could get it going just for a few moments but it went quickly out. I did persevere but with no luck.
Is there a particular method for smoking slices in this way?
All pointers will be gratefully received

 

[woodsroad]

That plug of Condor is fairly wet. Cutting a slice and moving it directly to the pipe is, as you discovered, not the best approach. Options would be to let the plug slowly dry out a bit (not my choice, since the plug will set up like a lump of epoxy), or making some slices and letting the slices dry. Alternately, if you have a charcoal grill, you could just drop that plug in with the glowing charcoal and drape your head over the grill for a while. Condor-cured salmon might be interesting, too.

 

[oldreddog]

I think condor would be better suited to bavette de flanchet! But I think I'll stick with your tip and air dry the slices for a while.

 

[andystewart]

Air drying the slices works best for me. I try not to rub out as I enjoy slices as they are, but it's not always possible.
Andy

 

[oldreddog]

Would you say Andy that slices smoke or taste differently?

 

[mso489]

Shame on me, but I rub out flake and plug, rather than fold. I think I still get most of the benefits since the

leaf retains some of its bulk and burns more slowly than loose tobacco, but it requires fewer relights. Once

that smell of Triple Play hits my nose, I don't want any nonsense.

 

[clarkj734]

I agree with the above - let the cut flake from the plug dry out a bit. Also, keep in mind the expansion that will occur with an unrubbed slice - be careful not to overpack the pipe, once lit its going to expand quite a bit.
A good way to let it air out is to slice the flake from the plug, and fold it and stuff it into your pipe the night before you intend to smoke it. By the time you are ready to smoke it in the morning it should be just about perfect.
James

 

[klause]

Condor plug is a very dense, highly compressed plug. Just letting a slice dry isn't going to help much. A 'flake' sliced off the plug is not the same as a standard flake straight from a tin. The latter can easily be folded and sliced.
Condor plug, when sliced, requires a little 'roughing up' just to break it up a little. A brisk rub between the palms to loosen it will usually do the trick. Also, it does need slicing quite thinly if this is way you want to smoke it.
Personally, I either rub the b'jesus out of it (no drying time needed), or slice and cube. When doing the latter I use some of the former to create a bed for the cubes to sit on, and to top it off. Once going, it's sublime. As noted, it does expand quite a bit, so pack very loosely. Finally, I find a tall, narrow, tapering chamber best facilitates this method with this particular plug.

 

[woodsroad]

Listen to Klause, he is knowing!

 

[andystewart]

Welcome to the forums oldreddog! I find that slices retain their overall flavour profile better and last longer if not rubbed out, particularly complex blends like Gaslight. HOWEVER I haven't smoked Condor Plug and even if I had, I would bow to Klause's vastly superior knowledge and experience in this. As Woodsroad said, just follow Klause's advice in this and you're there!
Andy

 

[misterlowercase]

Listen to Klause, he is knowing!

+1

:!:
Yep.
I prefer cube cut and mostly do it that way.
Welcome to the forums!
I also love plugs the most,

you are lucky to be in Ireland as that's where all the good plugs are!
We can't exactly get them so easily here in the States...

 

[bentmike]

I usually prep my plug like you described. Thin shaves and rub it out a bit. Welcome to the forum!

 

[jpberg]

All plugs are dense creatures, and, when fresh, not amenable to many "creative" packing methods. A very thin slice, or a cubed cut are your best bets.

In actuality, if you can find an agreeable shag (Kendal Kentucky or the ilk) to top the bowl off (and create a good hot start), you will be in terrific shape.

 

[mrenglish]

Sliced thin and rubbed out is the way I prep my plug for smoking.

 

[oldreddog]

Thank you very much gents for the kind advice, Klause, I'll be putting your method into practice this evening.
Indeed Mister LC Ireland is great for plugs, but having bought my first tobaccos in France/Andorra, I'm a bit shocked by prices here, and very envious of what you pay in the States.
I tried some Bosun Plug last night, my first Lakeland plug. Very Unusual, reminded me of Lokum/Turkish Delight. I did really enjoy the bowl though.

 

[saltedplug]

I usually dice or cut plug into pieces and pull it apart with my fingers. If you don't want a thousand relights, the pieces need be small. I think cutting it into small shavings would also work though I've not tried it.

 

[oldreddog]

Thanks Mike and other posters. With what I've learned from the above my plug smoking has improved tremendously, in fact I'm done to about half a dozen relights

:lol: