An Easy Way To Get An Air Pocket

[Morrison Jeremiah]

It really is easy. Just load up the pipe anyway you want to the bottom of the bowl leaving about quarter of an inch from the top. Put two fingers over the bowl with a slight gap between them, blow.hard into the stem.
There you have it, the tobacco rises up, result - air pocket.

The idea came into my mind, I tried it, it works.

 

[LikeDadDid]

It really is easy. Just load up the pipe anyway you want to the bottom of the bowl leaving about quarter of an inch from the top. Put two fingers over the bowl with a slight gap between them, blow.hard into the stem.
There you have it, the tobacco rises up, result - air pocket.

The idea came into my mind, I tried it, it works.

That raises two questions. First, why do you want an air pocket? Second, maybe on a tangent, why do some smokers puff away with two fingers over the bowl?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Easier way : Pack as described and smack the open end of the chamber against your palm.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That raises two questions. First, why do you want an air pocket? Second, maybe on a tangent, why do some smokers puff away with two fingers over the bowl?

First : It prevents gurgle and dottle

Second : To create a venturi effect to prevent the ember from dying.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

That raises two questions. First, why do you want an air pocket? Second, maybe on a tangent, why do some smokers puff away with two fingers over the bowl?

To be honest I had never thought that I needed an air pocket. but lots of people talk about it on this forum so I thought I'd give it a try, I quite liked it, seems to keep the taste of the tobacco fresher as one smokes down the bowl.
I sometimes smoke with two fingers over the bowl if I pack too loosely, it makes the drawer tighter
and saves me reaching for the tamper.

 

[Casual]

I put a small block of dry ice at the bottom of the bowl, pack it as I like, then wait for the dry ice to sublimate, creating an air pocket. Simple as.

NB: This method won’t work on any planet where dry ice at surface level remains solid. If you are on such a planet, use another method.

PS: My actual favourite method is just to smoke flake or coins. Fold and stuff, and there is always room at the bottom.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

That raises two questions. First, why do you want an air pocket? Second, maybe on a tangent, why do some smokers puff away with two fingers over the bowl?

You cover the bowl to act as a choke, change the air-fuel mixture and spread the ember if it's close to going out.

 

[Misanthrope]

First, why do you want an air pocket?

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I find that fitting a Hot Pocket into my pipe is difficult and also ghosts it something fierce. Air pockets are easier and don't ghost my pipes with some weird rank cheesy pepperoni funk.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Soooo, with this method, you have to be really careful with your tamper?

 

[bullet08]

I just grab big wad of tobacco and shove it into the chamber. Not sure about the science behind it, but air pocket gives free draw, less moisture in the heel and less problem in general. Tamping just to settle the ashes to the ember. If you tamp hard, the tobacco will reach the bottom. Even in that case, most smoke has been rather nice with free draw and less moisture on the heel. I don't load like this often now days. Three or how many pinch method just works now days. It's like make me jump through the hoops, and pipes decided they dicked around with me enough or something.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Soooo, with this method, you have to be really careful with your tamper?

Smoking swells the pack and holds it in place. As long as you don't apply too much pressure when tamping, it won't press the pack down.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Being a total novice at this are pocket game, I've been experimenting with smoking half the bowl with an air pocket and then ramming it down to the bottom like I have done for years, and prefer it rammed down, or maybe that's just what I'm accustomed to.
I know it was me who started this thread, but I think I'll just carry on with what I'm used to. I can't be bothered with all the science, I just want to enjoy my my pipe.