Are These Fissures Common and/or What Do They Signify?

[Spavilla]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

I never really examined my bowls under strong light until recently when began to notice these fissures or "imperfections" in several of my newer pipes. Is it normal or is this something I should be concerned about? Just for point of reference this is a Rattrays 2000 year Morta pipe, though I have noticed this on some of my newer Savinelli's as well.

 

[BROBS]

I never really examined my bowls under strong light until recently when began to notice these fissures or "imperfections" in several of my newer pipes. Is it normal or is this something I should be concerned about? Just for point of reference this is a Rattrays 2000 year Morta pipe, though I have noticed this on some of my newer Savinelli's as well.View attachment 40529

You’re burning out the chamber due to improper drying of tobacco/break in procedures.

that pipe is nearly toast.

 

[dmcmtk]

That is not something you want to see, the chamber is getting much to hot towards the bottom.

 

[BROBS]

That’s honestly closest the the worst I’ve seen.

are you searing the bejeezus out of your mouth?!

 

[Spavilla]

Bad news. I have it on three pipes, this one being the worst. I was under the impression that these morta pipes were able to withstand multiple consecutive bowls. Guess not. I have made a lot of technical changes in my smoking in the past 3 months including packing and cadence but I guess the damage is done. So does every bowl then deserve its own pipe? I only get two opportunities a day to smoke, a quick bowl in the morning, but I have more time in the evening so I like to have 2-3 bowls over as many hours as I am excited to try out a bunch of new blends. So, what is the proper method for breaking in a new pipe?

 

[Spavilla]

That’s honestly closest the the worst I’ve seen.

are you searing the bejeezus out of your mouth?!

I was initially, burning up those heavily cased aromatic blends. Now things have improved dramatically with a change in tobacco and cadence. A few more relights but a much happier mouth!

 

[BROBS]

Bad news. I have it on three pipes, this one being the worst. I was under the impression that these morta pipes were able to withstand multiple consecutive bowls. Guess not. I have made a lot of technical changes in my smoking in the past 3 months including packing and cadence but I guess the damage is done. So does every bowl then deserve its own pipe? I only get two opportunities a day to smoke, a quick bowl in the morning, but I have more time in the evening so I like to have 2-3 bowls over as many hours as I am excited to try out a bunch of new blends. So, what is the proper method for breaking in a new pipe?

When a pipe is new, only pack it halfway a few times and smoke it gently. If the pipe goes out toward the end, do not relight it. Stir the ash then dump it. You should be fine to smoke 2-3 out of the same pipe as long as it’s cooling down and you’re cleaning it between smokes. I’d say you’re better to keep it at as few smokes as possible then rotate to a different pipe. I don’t believe your problem is smoking it too much, just smoking it too hot at the bottom with no cake.

 

[BROBS]

For these pipe with char.. I’d sift out the finest white ash you’ve got... mix it with some water and fill those areas with a q tip. Let it dry really good for a couple days then smoke gently again like you’re breaking in a new pipe. They should be salvageable. ?

 

[mikefu]

For these pipe with char.. I’d sift out the finest white ash you’ve got... mix it with some water and fill those areas with a q tip. Let it dry really good for a couple days then smoke gently again like you’re breaking in a new pipe. They should be salvageable. ?

Yeah, I agree. You should be able to fix that with some pipe mud. I like to use the stuff from Aristocob as it seems to adhere better. I've used in on cobs to level out the bottom, and a couple briars to raise the bottom of the bowl to stop gurgle/make sure the draft is bottom center. It's dirt cheap and goes a long ways too.

 

[Spavilla]

When a pipe is new, only pack it halfway a few times and smoke it gently. If the pipe goes out toward the end, do not relight it. Stir the ash then dump it. You should be fine to smoke 2-3 out of the same pipe as long as it’s cooling down and you’re cleaning it between smokes. I’d say you’re better to keep it at as few smokes as possible then rotate to a different pipe. I don’t believe your problem is smoking it too much, just smoking it too hot at the bottom with no cake.

Well...despite my improved technique and tobacco choices (as far as I'm concerned) I am enjoying some of these more recent bowls so much, I have been employing the "good to the last drop" method which may be contributing to this problem as well. I think I may have read too many reviews that say a good tobacco should only "leave a fine white ash at the bottom of the bowl" which I would then achieve by relighting what probaly now in hindsight should have ended up in my ash can.

 

[BROBS]

Yeah, I agree. You should be able to fix that with some pipe mud. I like to use the stuff from Aristocob as it seems to adhere better. I've used in on cobs to level out the bottom, and a couple briars to raise the bottom of the bowl to stop gurgle/make sure the draft is bottom center. It's dirt cheap and goes a long ways too.

It is good stuff I’ve got a few packets

 

[Spavilla]

This:
For these pipe with char.. I’d sift out the finest white ash you’ve got... mix it with some water and fill those areas with a q tip. Let it dry really good for a couple days then smoke gently again like you’re breaking in a new pipe. They should be salvageable.
This:
Yeah, I agree. You should be able to fix that with some pipe mud. I like to use the stuff from Aristocob as it seems to adhere better. I've used in on cobs to level out the bottom, and a couple briars to raise the bottom of the bowl to stop gurgle/make sure the draft is bottom center. It's dirt cheap and goes a long ways too.

Thanks fellas! This is why I am here. This is invaluable (to me) information. You can't just learn this stuff on your own. I have to stop wasting time reading about which tobacco I want have sex with and focus more on mechanics....

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Hard to tell with that photo. May be burnt briar but could be cake that has flaked away. Ream the bowl down just shy of the briar and then take a photo.

 

[seanv]

Avoid putting the flame directly into the chamber. Keep the flame an inch or so above the chamber and pull the heat down gently

 

[Chasing Embers]

could be cake that has flaked away

Thats what i think too.?

Ream back to the wood and wipe the chamber with a wet paper towel after smoking. Morta, like meerschaum and corn cobs, shouldn't have cake buildup.

 

[anotherbob]

Well...despite my improved technique and tobacco choices (as far as I'm concerned) I am enjoying some of these more recent bowls so much, I have been employing the "good to the last drop" method which may be contributing to this problem as well. I think I may have read too many reviews that say a good tobacco should only "leave a fine white ash at the bottom of the bowl" which I would then achieve by relighting what probaly now in hindsight should have ended up in my ash can.

don't struggle with the bottom of the bowl. It's just not worth it. That fine white ash thing is a little over blown. Yeah it's cool when it happens but instead of chasing it, it's best to take that as a sign you dried the tobacco out perfectly and smoked it well.

 

[Spavilla]

don't struggle with the bottom of the bowl. It's just not worth it. That fine white ash thing is a little over blown. Yeah it's cool when it happens but instead of chasing it, it's best to take that as a sign you dried the tobacco out perfectly and smoked it well.

I must admit sadly, I never dry my tobacco. I am usuallly too excited to get to my pipe in my short window of time that the thought of choosing which blend(s) I am going to smoke that evening from which pipe already eats up enough of my smoking time. I am however going to make a concerted effort to remember to think about this earlier and put some out to dry beforehand. I suppose drying time can be blend dependent or real time moisture content specific. Is 2-3 hours prior satisfactory (generally speaking)?

 

[mikefu]

I must admit sadly, I never dry my tobacco. I am usuallly too excited to get to my pipe in my short window of time that the thought of choosing which blend(s) I am going to smoke that evening from which pipe already eats up enough of my smoking time. I am however going to make a concerted effort to remember to think about this earlier and put some out to dry beforehand. I suppose drying time can be blend dependent or real time moisture content specific. Is 2-3 hours prior satisfactory (generally speaking)?

It all depends on your climate. I live at a dry 6,500 feet, so for me, yes. If worse comes to it and you just can't wait, try and microwave ir for 8-10 seconds and then let it cool. It does effect the flavor a bit, but much less than trying to smoke wet tobacco and tongue burn do.

 

[Spavilla]

It all depends on your climate. I live at a dry 6,500 feet, so for me, yes. If worse comes to it and you just can't wait, try and microwave ir for 8-10 seconds and then let it cool. It does effect the flavor a bit, but much less than trying to smoke wet tobacco and tongue burn do.

I live in a super humid environment (Gulf Coastal Florida), especially from June-October. My elevation is 2 feet, and the water table is two feet below the surface . I have to pack all of my bowls very loosely or they won't burn properly. I think I will give this microwave trick a whirl.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I must admit sadly, I never dry my tobacco. I am usuallly too excited to get to my pipe in my short window of time that the thought of choosing which blend(s) I am going to smoke that evening from which pipe already eats up enough of my smoking time. I am however going to make a concerted effort to remember to think about this earlier and put some out to dry beforehand. I suppose drying time can be blend dependent or real time moisture content specific. Is 2-3 hours prior satisfactory (generally speaking)?

I usually set it out to dry overnight, or a couple of days.