An Observation on John Cotton’s Double Pressed Virginia

[renfield]

Normally I dump ash once or twice through a bowl, depending on many factors. I’m about a quarter of the way through a tin of DPV and have noticed that it seems to do much better with a fairly thick layer of fine ash to moderate the burn. YMMV.

I enjoy straight Virginias but this is the first where I’ve felt compelled to leave the ash. Probably a result of the fineness of the leaf after I’ve shredded off a piece of the cake.

 

[sandollars]

Interesting find.

I find that to be the case with Germains fine ribbon (?) cut too. It slows down the burn and makes it smoke cooler too..

 

[mso489]

Hmmm. I dump ash somewhat rarely. With a little tamping, most embers settle in and keep burning without that, although when you must dump, you do. It definitely relates to the blend, the dryness, and the cut. For me, about once a month I'll dump ash mid-bowl. It may relate to other habits, but it is an interesting point.

 

[3rdguy]

Rare if I ever dump any ash out.

 

[jerseysam]

If the bowl is burning well, I don't ash (like MSO I'll tamp lightly/regularly). If I have bowl that needs a few definitive re-lights, I'll tamp/dump before the re-light.

 

[okiematt]

I've found that if I dump the ash with anything then the initial few draws afterwards are sour. Don't know why. When I first started smoking a pipe I was struggling with that...read somewhere that tamping the ash will keep that from happening.

 

[renfield]

So many variables to control the burning leaf. Truly a thinking man’s pursuit.

If I can avoid dumping, I will, but it’s rare I don’t dump at some point if the ember is getting weak. Depends a lot on the blend and if I’m distracted. Apart from tamping it’s probably best to disturb the bowl as little as practical when possible.