Smoking While Out and About

spanishkarl · Aug 29, 2017

I am still very much 'in the closet' and have only been smoking my pipe at home so far. Either inside, or on the balcony. When I do that a bowl takes me 25-40 minutes. I pack loose and attempt to smoke slowly, which seems to work with tongue-bite, not needing too many relights etc.
I'd like to start smoking in public, and have made a few attempts to take my pipe with me at quiet times of the day. I pack the same way, but struggle with needing a lot more relights. Also, it burns out so quickly, I think last night a bowl only lasted about 10-15 minutes. There was some wind, but nothing more than a breeze. Do I need to pack tighter when out in the wild, or is this quicker burning speed normal?

sjfine · Aug 29, 2017

Never be afraid of relights. There is no shame in them.
And, if you found a packing method that works for you, stick with it. There are few things more frustrating that trying to suck a basketball through a garden hose.

cortezattic · Aug 29, 2017

It sounds like you're complaining about annoying re-lights as well as too short a smoke.

Switching to a flake, and folding or cube-cutting it rather than rubbing it out into ribbons, will help to slow the burn in windy conditions. There are also windcaps for the pipe. Can't help with the re-light problem.

zack24 · Aug 29, 2017

I smoke fairly often on the beach in windy conditions- I always take my Panama hat to hide behind so I can use my lighter...The secret seems to be having fairly dry tobacco to start...

jpmcwjr · Aug 29, 2017

When it's really blowing I just press flat piece of something - wood, leaves, matchbook, almond hull etc. over the bowl. Even leaving it in place but reducing the pressure allows for a good draw. Wind caps don't do it for me when it's over say ten knots or mph.

jpmcwjr · Aug 29, 2017

As I said, when it's really howling/blowing, wind caps let in too much air. YMMV. When in excess of ca. 15 kph.

spanishkarl · Aug 29, 2017

Thanks everyone!
I isn't so much the number of relights (walking and not concentrating as much as usual probably explains most of that). I am stumped by the reduction in reduction in time to get through a bowl though? Anyway, I'll pay more attention next time I go out for a walk and see how it goes.

mso489 · Aug 29, 2017

Flake (coin, plug, rope) will slow things down a lot. I got about 40 minutes out of a Chesapeake (the mini Old Dominion cob) with flake. 'Never would have guessed. Do be cagey about non-smoking areas so you don't get hassled and discouraged. Sometimes you can hide out, but that defeats the public relations aspect of it. Many are fascinated by a tobacco pipe and have never seen one smoked in real life.

deathmetal · Aug 29, 2017

Many are fascinated by a tobacco pipe and have never seen one smoked in real life.

This is my experience as well.
Faster wind means the bowl will burn faster, mostly in my experience from smoke whipped off the top of the bowl, so draw from the other end. Breathsmoking limits this somewhat because you have created draw in the opposite direction within the pipe.

rcanderson · Sep 1, 2017

spanishkarl, I would recommend a windcap for the pipe for whenever you are outside. I noticed since I started using one I am not having these issues anymore. They are cheap, adjustable to fit most pipes, and can save the pipe from getting too hot in a breeze and burning out the bowl.

quint · Sep 1, 2017

Yes, smoking outside in a breeze can cause the tobacco to burn twice as fast. And where I live, pipe tobacco ain't cheap!
So I use one of these wind protectors if I smoke outside, because rarely is there no breeze. One size fits all, and it helps a lot.
link

spanishkarl · Sep 1, 2017

Thanks, I'll look into wind caps, and glad to hear this is a common issue!
I have a stupid question regarding relights. I see there are some holes in the caps. Is it viable to relight through those holes? Or do you have to take it off, light and replace? I guess the latter, since I normally need to tamp a bit while relighting.

grue · Sep 1, 2017

I don't smoke while socialising because I can't concentrate on the tobacco. Other than that a pipe on the mountains or on the beach is a bliss few things can match.

quint · Sep 1, 2017

I have a stupid question regarding relights. I see there are some holes in the caps. Is it viable to relight through those holes? Or do you have to take it off, light and replace? I guess the latter, since I normally need to tamp a bit while relighting

You'll need to remove the cover each time to tamp and then relight. But even with a cover, the wind will still get inside the bowl a bit and keep the tobacco lit longer. Removing the cover each time is quick and easy because it's spring-loaded. Also remember to pack the tobacco a bit tighter when smoking outside because of the higher burn rate due to the wind.

deathmetal · Sep 2, 2017

I am still very much 'in the closet'

Tobacco use, AD 2017: we are still hiding.
By 2027 we'll have Tobacco Pride parades.

perdurabo · Sep 2, 2017

I say why not? Fuck'em!
Militant Non Smokers are part of that group called FaAntiFA.

dochudson · Sep 2, 2017

Wind caps are also great if you want to preload a pipe or two. They also allow you to 'pocket' a burning pipe in order to make it though a non-smoking area.

mso489 · Sep 3, 2017

If you find a comfortable place to smoke a pipe in public without prohibitions, you become an instant re-enactor, no historical costuming or other set-up required.

jaytex1969 · Sep 3, 2017

During my recent travels, one morning I carried my coffee and pipe to the dingy, hidden corner the hotel had designated for smoking.
While surfing this very forum on my wife's hot pink Kindle, I was surprised to be joined by another pipe smoker.
We bonded over the discussion of how our wives' extended periods of ablution were no longer inconvenient, as they allowed for uninterrupted smoking time.
Remember that, fellas. Pipes contribute to marital harmony! : puffy

:

danielplainview · Sep 3, 2017

Wait relights? Am I the only person that lights once and smokes down to fine white ash? :wink:

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