Tongue burn question

[Sharquie]

Hello,

Beginner here. I just grabbed an estate pipe and am trying out a couple of tobaccos. The tobacco store recommended me Stanwell Melange, however I have found that it does burn quite hot. As is common with beginners, I do tend to rush the pipe a bit and am getting tongue bite. I have slowed down on the last few bowls, however the tongue bite comes even at the start of the bowl.
The tongue bite does last quite a bit - I can feel it the day after smoking too. Should I give the pipe a rest for a few days until it passes, or can I try pacing myself even slower in hopes that it goes away on it's own?
I just bought Devil's Holiday and it's quite delicious, so I would like to keep smoking the tobacco in the upcoming days, but I would not like to make things even worse. I smoke like two bowls per day max.

 

[sablebrush52]

Hello,

Beginner here. I just grabbed an estate pipe and am trying out a couple of tobaccos. The tobacco store recommended me Stanwell Melange, however I have found that it does burn quite hot. As is common with beginners, I do tend to rush the pipe a bit and am getting tongue bite. I have slowed down on the last few bowls, however the tongue bite comes even at the start of the bowl.
The tongue bite does last quite a bit - I can feel it the day after smoking too. Should I give the pipe a rest for a few days until it passes, or can I try pacing myself even slower in hopes that it goes away on it's own?
I just bought Devil's Holiday and it's quite delicious, so I would like to keep smoking the tobacco in the upcoming days, but I would not like to make things even worse. I smoke like two bowls per day max.

Do both, give your tongue a chance to heal, and slow down.

Also, try drying down your tobacco so that it’s quite dry, which will improve flavors and also make slow smoking easier to control.

Good luck!

 

[ziv]

I'd say, if the bite is uncomfortable or keeps getting worse, definitely take a break. On the other hand, if you feel you can force through it and still enjoy your pipe, then don't take a break.

I haven't tried either of these blends, but I understand both are aromatics. Aromatics tend to be wet, try drying them out more. I don't know if you have access to other blends, but you could also try something that's already dry out of the tin/bag, like an English blend, maybe.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Hello,

Beginner here. I just grabbed an estate pipe and am trying out a couple of tobaccos. The tobacco store recommended me Stanwell Melange, however I have found that it does burn quite hot. As is common with beginners, I do tend to rush the pipe a bit and am getting tongue bite. I have slowed down on the last few bowls, however the tongue bite comes even at the start of the bowl.
The tongue bite does last quite a bit - I can feel it the day after smoking too. Should I give the pipe a rest for a few days until it passes, or can I try pacing myself even slower in hopes that it goes away on it's own?
I just bought Devil's Holiday and it's quite delicious, so I would like to keep smoking the tobacco in the upcoming days, but I would not like to make things even worse. I smoke like two bowls per day max.

I think you will get the most obvious improvement by drying out your pipe tobacco QUITE a bit. Perhaps a day or two in fact. I think it is easier for a new pipe smoker to have success by having very, very dry tobacco.

As Sable suggested, slowing down is also very helpful, but I think that slowing down ENOUGH for a noticeable change in tongue bite is harder for a newbie who often is still struggling to just keep the damn pipe lit.

So, try really drying out your tobacco first, IMO.

 

[burleybreath]

Also try packing looser. And sip cold water as you smoke, every so often. Works for me, maybe you?

 

[Sobrbiker]

The first six months out so, I fried my tongue silly-even had to give up spicy dishes (which I love) for quite a while.
Try everything, and there’s no lack of input available.
Time and personal experience are the only things that will truly iron out your enjoyment.

 

[The Benedictine]

Take a break, dry your tobacco, smoke slow. Tongue bite is a chemical burn.

 

[Sigmund]

It can be a combination of things. Chemical compounded by hot steam from wet tobacco. You cant remove chemicals but you can remove moisture.

 

[anotherbob]

Hello,

Beginner here. I just grabbed an estate pipe and am trying out a couple of tobaccos. The tobacco store recommended me Stanwell Melange, however I have found that it does burn quite hot. As is common with beginners, I do tend to rush the pipe a bit and am getting tongue bite. I have slowed down on the last few bowls, however the tongue bite comes even at the start of the bowl.
The tongue bite does last quite a bit - I can feel it the day after smoking too. Should I give the pipe a rest for a few days until it passes, or can I try pacing myself even slower in hopes that it goes away on it's own?
I just bought Devil's Holiday and it's quite delicious, so I would like to keep smoking the tobacco in the upcoming days, but I would not like to make things even worse. I smoke like two bowls per day max.

If bites at the start I think how you're lighting it might be the issue. Try wood matches or soft flame or zippo style lighters. Also the flame doesn't need to touch the tobacco just be close enough to start it smoldering. That's made a huge difference for me at least. Also the drier the tobacco is the easier it is to light it without charring you mouth.
Just my opinion but I would not be surprised if changing how you light the tobacco makes a big difference. Also you'll get more flavor too.

 

[anotherbob]

I think you will get the most obvious improvement by drying out your pipe tobacco QUITE a bit. Perhaps a day or two in fact. I think it is easier for a new pipe smoker to have success by having very, very dry tobacco.

As Sable suggested, slowing down is also very helpful, but I think that slowing down ENOUGH for a noticeable change in tongue bite is harder for a newbie who often is still struggling to just keep the damn pipe lit.

So, try really drying out your tobacco first, IMO.

Fun fact for new pipe smokers the moisture levels it ships at are smokeable and even what some prefer (driness is a preference in someways) but it's more about keeping the tobacco in the best shape possible when it gets too you. Less likely to break up ribbons, less likely to be too dry if you take a long time to smoke the tin. But the trick is to try different levels of moisture and see what makes you happiest.

 

[Sig]

Like eating spicy food, you're going to get used to it. Building a tolerance you might say.
Smoking slow helps a lot.
I dont buy into the tongue bite being caused by steam because, well...science. The steam coming from a pipe isn't hot enough to physically BURN your tongue. You know when you bite a piece of pizza that feels like molten lava on your tongue? But 2 minutes later there is no pain? The human tongue can take the heat. Have you ever had a food burn your fingers, but not burn your tongue? The tongue is tough. A chemical "burn" of sorts, but more of a chemical reaction. This is why some blends bite some people, but not others. Chemicals can cause different effects at different temperatures. So slower smoking can cause less bite with some people. But there are blends that no matter how slow you smoke them, they're gonna bite.

In my opinion.

 

[BingBong]

Give it time, little sips, slow to a crawl, and you'll give your tongue a chance to get callused and leathery. When you get to that point, you'll always have way to strike your matches. Bonus!

 

[xrundog]

Not every tobacco agrees with everyone’s tongue and palate. Certain tobacco’s bite me badly. I stick to the tobacco’s I find agreeable. Oddly, supplemental vitamin C seems to help a lot.

 

[Sharquie]

Thanks to everyone for your insights! Some adjustments will definitely be made.

 

[Brad H]

Black coffee helps.

 

[anotherbob]

Like eating spicy food, you're going to get used to it. Building a tolerance you might say.
Smoking slow helps a lot.
I dont buy into the tongue bite being caused by steam because, well...science. The steam coming from a pipe isn't hot enough to physically BURN your tongue. You know when you bite a piece of pizza that feels like molten lava on your tongue? But 2 minutes later there is no pain? The human tongue can take the heat. Have you ever had a food burn your fingers, but not burn your tongue? The tongue is tough. A chemical "burn" of sorts, but more of a chemical reaction. This is why some blends bite some people, but not others. Chemicals can cause different effects at different temperatures. So slower smoking can cause less bite with some people. But there are blends that no matter how slow you smoke them, they're gonna bite.

In my opinion.

steam burns are nasty. They penetrate layers more effectively then food for example. So I say it does make sense.

 

[Waning Embers]

 

[SourShank]

View attachment 415647

Single best piece of advise I saw on this forum aside from stop worrying the details and just smoke the dang pipe! Got me from tasting salt water to tobacco in no time (2 days).

 

[okiematt]

My biggest problem when I started was definitely packing too tight. The tight draw was a killer on my tongue. Once I figured that out, sipping was easy and no more tongue bite.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

My biggest problem when I started was definitely packing too tight. The tight draw was a killer on my tongue. Once I figured that out, sipping was easy and no more tongue bite.

^^ This + a dryer tobacco and perhaps gravity filling, however if there is some gurgling a swap or two via pipe cleaners does help a lot