Ash dump or no?

[gmwolford]

Okay, after tamping while smoking do you generally dump/tap out ashes or leave 'em be? I was tapping out then started to leave them but the photo I saw of the dottle seemed like there wasn't much ash on there.

 

[cortezattic]

Generally, I don't dump the ash during a smoke. But with folded flakes, especially Virginia, I usually dump the ash when the smoke gets past mid-bowl. I think it produces a cleaner taste.

 

[mp31guitar]

I'm the same as you cortez. The tobacco seems to burn better as well. But, only after the first half of the bowl.

 

[markw4mms]

+1.. I dump after the first half of a bowl, especially with a VA. I think it tastes better, and is easier to keep lit to the bottom of the bowl.

 

[dervis]

I dump when it looks like it will help, and normally that does fall below the half bowl mark.

 

[topd]

On the other hand, I don't dump unless my 'pull' on the pipe starts to seem restricted.

(My grandfather used to let it go out, dump ash and tobacco back in his pouch, mix it up

with his tamper, then reload. Don't ask me why.... it was just his way).

 

[mrenglish]

I usually dump about the half way point as well. It seems harder to light the bowl when its partly ash.

 

[85royals]

I have been smoking around 3yrs now and I havent dumped until this last month.. I have found it helps a bunch with a full bowl smoked

 

[lankfordjl]

This is a helpful thread. Thanks. I hardly ever dump, but will try it more often.

 

[keith929]

Depending on the tobacco I don't usually dump the ash until I'm finished.

 

[nsfisher]

I dump when and if I have to relight. Relights are poor with accumulated ash.

 

[joshy]

I dump when and if I have to relight. Relights are poor with accumulated ash.

- nsfisher
Quoted for truth.

 

[bentmike]

Yeah, I'm with the majority here -about half way through I drop the ash.

 

[topd]

You know what I thought the Heading of this post was when I first saw it???
Yeah, you know....

 

[notabene1]

I never dump the ashes, I just tamp them down to level them off with the unburnt tobacco.

 

[gmwolford]

Thus far, I seem to get better results and pleasure if I tap out about 1/2 way, as many of you have replied. Only having tried two differents tobaccos so far, I can see where that could also be a factor.

 

[chopz]

i (not always but often, i guess) use that thin probe on the pipe tool and dip it in at some point for who knows what reason. instinct maybe? usually when i do it sinks more than half way through with no resistance at which point i'll tilt the pipe just enough to pour out all that ash.

 

[guitarguy86]

I usually don't dump the ash until the bowl is finished.

 

[rlunderhill]

nsfisher hit it on the head. I dump when the relights start. Usually half way down.

 

[tslex]

I don't dump except in the rare instance where I've been interrupted, and the pipe has been sitting unlit.
After the charring light I usually tamp once mid-bowl; maybe twice on some of my larger pipes.