Right, results!
Honestly wasn't expecting such a huge difference in the quality of the smoke but boy was I pleasantly surprised- wasn't sharing my tobacco with the wind, for a change.
Was worried that closing the chamber off would create a little furnace so I packed with the air pocket method to be on the safe side; I find this creates a much cooler smoke for me.
Packed some 7 Seas Royal into a basket pipe (didn't want to experiment with my nice stuff :wink: ) and popped the DIY cap on after my 2nd light.
Terrible weather, boring tobacco, underwhelming pipe: best smoke I've ever had.
Even inside and with better blends, it really made a difference for me.
Experimental procedures
- I used a pair of side cutters and some sturdy scissors to relieve a drinks can of its lid and bottom, then cut it open so I had a curled rectangle of aluminium.
- On a hand towel I rolled the metal sheet out with a rolling pin so it didn't curl while I was working with it
- I marked out a few circles corresponding to the widths of a couple of my pipe bowls. This cap is going to sit in the top of the bowl, so perhaps make it a tad smaller than the capacity of the bowl. A normally biro will do for this.
- For ease of getting the cap back out of the bowl, I also marked out a little flap on the edge of the circle. (The template at this point looked a bit like a crude hot air balloon)
- Before I got busy with the scissors, I punched some holes through the aluminium with a picture nail. I imagine a thumb tack or drawing pin would work just as well. Just push straight through with your thumb and wiggle a bit to get a clean hole. Punch symmetrically for even air flow.
- Cut out around the template with scissors, fold the flap up and gently place it in the top of your bowl to check the size
- Trim as you need
- Enjoy :
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Final thoughts
- If you enjoy your pipes outside/ are curious to try something new/ want to squeeze some taste out of that horrid blend you've shelved indefinitely, I would absolutely recommend a windcap, even if you're not in the wind. If you can't be bothered to make one, pick one up when you next order in some tobacco.
- If you are going to make one, I would recommend choosing a can that hasn't had colour printed onto it. I did notice after a couple of pipes that the print of the can was turning a funny colour. Don't want to think too hard about paint evaporating into my smoke... A diet coke can perhaps.
- I don't imagine I'm going to get much use out of each cap before I chuck them 'cause they're easily bent with clumsy fingers. But you can get 8 or 9 of the things out of a can so I'm not too worried.
- Aluminium is a little harsh around the edges. Probably enough to make a little mark in the cake. I don't imagine it would damage briar but exercise caution.
- As Kashmir touched on, these little things double up as lids for saving that half a bowl for later/ carrying around a prepacked bowl/ stopping ash from flying about.
Will get handy with pliers then!
