This post comes off the thread on FVF and I figured it should have its own thread. Some flake is ready to go out of the tin, but should still breathe, but this is about the big 3 from SG.
FVF, BBF and SJF all get the same treatment. First you got to let it breathe, it needs to rest a while. If you have tins, pop them and jar it. Bulk you should already have it in a 32oz laying on its side. Give at least a few days. Then this is how I’ve found to get the “perfect cube”. If you’re rubbing out a plank then buy AK or 2015 and triple stuff a bowl like I do, or find something else to rub out. You want to smoke cubes that are prepared and bowled perfect to get the best it can be, and that’s frackin awesome.
I take my time and usually cut two flakes at a time, even if I’m cutting eight. Six inch planks I cut in half and put one on top the other. BBF, FVF and SJF I cut 1/4" slices, so you have four strips. Then cut them as close to square as I can. I use a glass plate and spread them out none on top of another. I know the flake and soon you will too, just by looking you’ll know when it’s ready. If not you can give it a light pinch test they should all far apart with a little “ting” sound on the plate. Look at them; they should be light on the outside and darker in the middle. Now it’s time to stabilize the flake not smoke it. Smoking it now causes most problems people have with flake. I use an empty tin and put them all in there, spread out. You can tighten the lid or not, it doesn’t matter there’s enough oxygen to finish the curing. Let it sit overnight, a day or more. This allows the moisture inside to work its way out and leaves the flake equal but not too dry.
TAP don’t pack the bowl, again causes many problems with people and flake. Drop the flakes in to the top and start tapping the bowl. They will work themselves down almost halfway. Fill it again and TAP, at this point check your draw. Should be smooth, if not dump it out and start over. You should now have a 3/4 filled bowl of flake. Back to the tin and tilt it to one side and tap it, now tilt the other way and move the flake to the other side. Around the rim are small pieces of flake and kindling. Top the bowl off with this and give a light press, check the draw. Unlike other tobacco you don’t want resistance. Now give it a char, then a light tamp to straighten it. With the true light and a regular puff rate you should never have to relight or tamp. The flake is burning true with all the flavors released as intended, no steam or swelling clogging the bowl. When you get to the end the flavors will have remained the same and you’ll know it’s done because the smoke has stopped. Turn it over in the ashtray and a nice finished ball of ash should fall.
Why all the work? The perfect flake bowl, ribbon is for wrapping gifts.
Craig
FVF, BBF and SJF all get the same treatment. First you got to let it breathe, it needs to rest a while. If you have tins, pop them and jar it. Bulk you should already have it in a 32oz laying on its side. Give at least a few days. Then this is how I’ve found to get the “perfect cube”. If you’re rubbing out a plank then buy AK or 2015 and triple stuff a bowl like I do, or find something else to rub out. You want to smoke cubes that are prepared and bowled perfect to get the best it can be, and that’s frackin awesome.
I take my time and usually cut two flakes at a time, even if I’m cutting eight. Six inch planks I cut in half and put one on top the other. BBF, FVF and SJF I cut 1/4" slices, so you have four strips. Then cut them as close to square as I can. I use a glass plate and spread them out none on top of another. I know the flake and soon you will too, just by looking you’ll know when it’s ready. If not you can give it a light pinch test they should all far apart with a little “ting” sound on the plate. Look at them; they should be light on the outside and darker in the middle. Now it’s time to stabilize the flake not smoke it. Smoking it now causes most problems people have with flake. I use an empty tin and put them all in there, spread out. You can tighten the lid or not, it doesn’t matter there’s enough oxygen to finish the curing. Let it sit overnight, a day or more. This allows the moisture inside to work its way out and leaves the flake equal but not too dry.
TAP don’t pack the bowl, again causes many problems with people and flake. Drop the flakes in to the top and start tapping the bowl. They will work themselves down almost halfway. Fill it again and TAP, at this point check your draw. Should be smooth, if not dump it out and start over. You should now have a 3/4 filled bowl of flake. Back to the tin and tilt it to one side and tap it, now tilt the other way and move the flake to the other side. Around the rim are small pieces of flake and kindling. Top the bowl off with this and give a light press, check the draw. Unlike other tobacco you don’t want resistance. Now give it a char, then a light tamp to straighten it. With the true light and a regular puff rate you should never have to relight or tamp. The flake is burning true with all the flavors released as intended, no steam or swelling clogging the bowl. When you get to the end the flavors will have remained the same and you’ll know it’s done because the smoke has stopped. Turn it over in the ashtray and a nice finished ball of ash should fall.
Why all the work? The perfect flake bowl, ribbon is for wrapping gifts.
Craig
:
Patience young grasshoppers and find the inner peace. Haha!