We do have a few members who make the pipe an ordeal and seem to revel in such behavior. More power to 'em I suppose if such keeps them distracted from life's problems for a bit.
Smoking to the Bottom of the Bowl.
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Most tobacco blends are tinned at a moisture level higher than optimal. Much better a customer think that it's too moist than too dried out.
The thing about all of these various methods is that they give the new smoker some sort of scaffold to try while learning how to enjoy smoking a pipe.
There’s no substitute for experimenting and practice, no shortcuts. But trying out some suggestions or methods may provide useful insights.
I suspect that what ticks off some of the old hands is when some neophyte proclaims a great discovery, not knowing that someone else proclaimed the same thing two months earlier, and someone else proclaimed it a year before that, etc, etc. Or someone comes up with a Rube Goldberg “solution”, which is necessitated by a lack of basic understanding.
Eventually, if the newbie sticks with it, all of the strategies fall to the wayside, replaced by a simple approach that works.
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Im not trying to pick a fight but everyone in the world doesnt smoke pipes the "American way". Things like chips and keystones serve a purpose. For one thing, you get a full smoke that is almost equally good throughout the bowl. Additionally, if you lived somewhere where tobacco took effort to obtain AND cost in excess of 125 a pound you would not feel so great about dumping the bowl with unburnt filter tobacco. Sure, I dont need the chips but I get a better smoke (and a lot of european smokers agree) and I dont dump good tobacco OR punish the bottom of my pipes to get every last bit. The savings in tobacco is likely negligible but it makes me feel better. Also, I like my pipes and I want them to outlast me. If I were ordering bulk in poundage I probably wouldnt worry about it. But then again, Id experiment anway. Oh and BTW, the chips also help keep pipes cleaner so its less maintenence.
When it comes to pipes, if someone suggests a reasonable way to get a better experience I will try it any day of the week...I mean, why not?
When it comes to pipes, if someone suggests a reasonable way to get a better experience I will try it any day of the week...I mean, why not?
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I’m curious about this “American Way” of pipe smoking. Could you elaborate?
The only big difference I’ve noticed is the acceptance of filters in pipes. The use of something like the Nording pebbles isn’t new or exotic in the States. I used them for a while decades ago.
The economics of tobacco wastage is certainly different between the US and the EU, but not much when one factors in the cost of losing a few dollars worth of tobacco VS incinerating the base of the chamber of a $$ much less $$$ or $$$$ pipe.
Yes, by American I do mean no filter, codger scoop and toss when its no good. Its just fine when tobacco is crazy cheap. There are other methods and some of them IMHO squeeze out flavor from every part of the bowl. I dont expect everyone to agree.
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Have you smoked any of these blends?
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Samuel Gawith: 1792
I've been smoking for about 6-7 years now and just recently discovered how to smoke all the way down to the ash. This is what works for me but I offer you to give it a try. It is basically what you've been told, the three layer method. However, this one is a two layer method. Pinch in the amount of tobacco until fills the bowl but in between each pinch, gently tap the outside of your bowl until it all settles. Then continue to pinch until the bowl is full. Once it is full, gently, and I mean gently tamp it down, you should be applying no pressure except for the weight of the tamper. This should press it down to either the half way point of the bowl or the 2/3 mark of the bow. Do the same for the top layer; pinch, tap, pinch, tap, press. The only difference with the top fill is that that once you do your final press, it should be the weight of the tamper + a little amount of force, just enough to where its pressed but not enough to where you push the whole bowl down deeper. Another key step is to be tamping often I tamp once probably every 1-2 minutes. When you tamp, don't press the tobacco down, all you're trying to do is use the weight of the tamper to press the ash down, not the whole tobacco stack in the bowl.
It could help, but only marginally. Don't rely on them to prevent any trouble/burning in the heel of the chamber.
I normally use the three layer method and get mixed results. I tried your method two days in a row. Two different pipes, two tobaccos. Straight to the bottom of the bowl with a few relights, both times. Fine ash, no moisture in the bottom of the bowl. It tasted good all the way, didn’t get harsh near the bottom as it occasionally does. I will stick with it and see how it goes. Thanks!
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SO happy to hear it worked well for you! I have found it to be the superior method for me. I mean, back in the day, people wouldn't even fuss with it, they'd just scoop up the baccy from the sachet and shove it in there.
Having a great smoke, to a fine grey ash if you will, has nothing to do with finicky loading methods.
Edited to change offense taken by a member.
Edited to change offense taken by a member.
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Being someone who smokes Peterson system pipes 90% of the time and of those smokes I smoke 1792 flake at least 65% of the time these days in specific systems and meerschaums, I will throw my two cents out there and say smoking to the bottom is over rated. I do pack my system pipes different than non system pipes and usually have a little dottle with my favorite blend but I don't care.
This is a hobby that is to be enjoyed slowly and shouldn't be a chore. If it becomes one then why bother? Once things turn south for the worst just sit it down let it cool and clean it out, that last little bit of tobacco consider an offer to the Gods of the briar, meerschaum, cob, clay and leaf. hah!
This is a hobby that is to be enjoyed slowly and shouldn't be a chore. If it becomes one then why bother? Once things turn south for the worst just sit it down let it cool and clean it out, that last little bit of tobacco consider an offer to the Gods of the briar, meerschaum, cob, clay and leaf. hah!
Nording Keystones at the bottom of every bowl I smoke -- so many advantages!
For decades I was a "purist" and poo-pood every "gadget", without even giving them a chance.
Now I give things a try. I have found Keystones and charcoal filters indispensable. Also, rubber bit protectors -- particularly on vulcanite cuz I tend to bite through them.
I think ... isn't it just better? ...like everything else ...
This isn't American tobacco smoke...these are Freedom Fumes!
Enthusiasts will always take something fun and turn it into a chore. There are fly fishermen who always go out with 3 rods and 5 bulging books of flies. And there are guys who use the same 10 flies year in year out with the rod they got from their dad.
I’ve taken a liking to charcoal filters too. It takes care of so many potential issues - tongue bite, wet smoke, etc. It allows me to smoke wherever I want with no issues. I’ve thought about trying keystones for my pipes that are not filtered, but just haven’t pulled the trigger. Is Nørding the only one who makes them?
Once you come up with what suits you its not difficult at all. I guess its more difficut than a codger scoop but my stuff stays at home all in one place. I have a little bowl with meer chips and another with filters. I grab a filter and put it in, drop in 4-6 chips, insert tobacco and go. Perfect smoke about 90 percent of the time.
I prefer the flavor of vapers with a 9mm charcol filter. It clears out some of the darker notes and the sweetness and flavors from the perique are buffed to a nice shine. Im happy enough using my no filter pipes for lat blends. I dont find that I have a big preference with those. Ive posted that before and I really suggest experimenting with vapers and a filter. Worse comes to worse you can yank out the filter if you dont like the effect.
I prefer the flavor of vapers with a 9mm charcol filter. It clears out some of the darker notes and the sweetness and flavors from the perique are buffed to a nice shine. Im happy enough using my no filter pipes for lat blends. I dont find that I have a big preference with those. Ive posted that before and I really suggest experimenting with vapers and a filter. Worse comes to worse you can yank out the filter if you dont like the effect.