Alternate ways to rub out tobacco?

[astralogic]

Hi, I find it impossible to rub out tobacco flakes that I cut from a plug. They just tend to compress into chunks which I have to pick apart manually with my fingernails. It takes ages and then doesn't even smoke right.
So I'm looking for other ways to do it, I can't rub them out in my hands, there must be another way right?

 

[bigpond]

Coffee grinder or herb grinder as used in the preparation of MJ for smoking. Can be found on Amazon.

 

[aldecaker]

Or just go to a local head shop. They'll have an assortment of grinders that are usually only a few bucks, and they work like a champ. You'll have to take an extra shower to get the filthy hippie funk off, but it's worth it.

 

[ray47]

I use a mini food chopper.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Dry the cut flakes a bunch more before trying to load. Unless they are way heavily topped or cased, that should make a difference.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I just open all of my tins and poor them out onto the carport, and then I hit them with my lawnmower. But, make sure you have a bagger on it. It brings out those bright grassy and hay like notes.

 

[fitzy]

Just cube cut it and load it up. It should smoke ok if dried well.
Or get a cheap coffee/spice grinder. I use a cheap coffee grinder.
Michael I was wondering why I wasn't getting those grassy notes on virginia's.

 

[deathmetal]

I just rub them between my hands until they grind down into strips. But, consider the fold, twist and invert method. It's delicious.

 

[jpmcwjr]

But the invert method works only if the tobacco is dry enough to at least splinter in the fold on top. Unless you don't mind a half dozen initial lights.....

 

[crashthegrey]

My process is similar to Cosmic's, so I won't bog you down with the details. Ha, I kid. I just fold flakes and cut plugs into foldable flakes. What plug is troubling you?

 

[saltedplug]

Twist, plug and flake, which is cut plug, have been around a long time, and as such remind me of the glorious history of pipe smoking. I celebrate that history by making them smokeable totally by hand. Method: pull, twist, turn, etc. I could do so more quickly with a knife and chopping block but I prefer old-fashioned handiwork.

 

[condorlover1]

Just slice it up with a pen knife unless its that 'Yucksman Plug' in which case a small circular band saw is advised. If I can't unload this stuff onto my friend Weezel and Jim Inks won't cremate it for me then you know its pretty tough. Most other plugs are easy to cut by guiding the knife blade against the tobacco with the plug resting against your pointing finger.

 

[jpmcwjr]

But please know that Simon smokes re-constituted coal dust, and has lost four digits cutting the stuff. Why we call him "six".

 

[crashthegrey]

Condor, that plug is on my list to try. I know that I am crazy, but I love delving into these crazy plugs. Just hard to acquire most of them.

 

[mcitinner1]

@ Astal.... I use a medium size food processor that isn't super cheap or expensive. Any blend that comes in a plug or flake form, gets a trip through this tobacco dedicated little dandy. It's powerful enough to make a perfect texture and fluff for packing. That's a 8oz. tin next to it, and the brand is KitchenAid.

 

[grue]

mcitinner1: I tried that a few months ago with some Rich Dark Flake but it lost almost all its flavour.. :/

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I use a grinder occasionally. I love it, but it is too much prep for me to use too often. For me, the eveness of the burn gives me a better flavor, but YMMV

 

[cortezattic]

This came up last year when mlc got us some Salty Dogs plug. My solution.

 

[mso489]

The herb grinder and similar devices sound most promising, though I usually just rub it out by hand, reducing if necessary with a knife blade or scissors. I have sometimes wondered if a mortar and pestle would do the job, but probably the crushing aspect of that would reduce the leaf too much for even burning, producing too much powder and not enough flammable edges and pieces. The cheese grater looks viable!

 

[sablebrush52]

When you want to rub out something, a Thompson sub machine gun works wonders.