Bit of a Failure

[wizhunter]

Hi Guys

Had my first bowl earlier which i think i failed badly on, i don't think i packed it right. When i was smoking it felt like i was taking in fresh air so it obviously wasn't packed right, at least i know where i went wrong. I just don't seem to get the right pressure when packing, i have never shaken a babies hand or a ladies come to that. I know now that there must be some resistance when drawing on the pipe but earlier there wasn't and hopefully i have learnt from that.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

You don't necessarily want much resistance. A bowl packed too tight is worse than too loose.

What are you smoking and in what kind of pipe?

 

[tbradsim1]

Make a fist, then press down on meat between thumb and finger like you're guageing a steaks firmness, it should have a well done firmness, don't go overboard on the firmness, better to err on the safe side. Enjoy

 

[sablebrush52]

Practice makes perfect. Keep experimenting with your packing and cadence. Eventually you will get the hang of it.
A couple of things to remember, you'll get the most flavor from the majority of blends it you dry them before packing. Not crispy dry, but dry to the touch when squeezed while still pliant. Packing so that the tobacco is lightly firm, but not dense usually works well. Puff to get the load going, then just take slow sips. The ideal is when you find that combination that allows you to keep the tobacco simmering at the edge of going out while sipping it. That's when you get the most flavor from a blend. Don't worry about relights, that's normal.
Enjoy the exploration!

 

[mso489]

Agree with sable'. It's a learned muscle-memory thing. After you've packed a few dozen bowls, it will become second-nature, and then unconscious. Keep trying, and enjoy your pipes, and all will become clear. Different blends require slightly different pressure, so adjust with each blend and cut.

 

[wizhunter]

Thanks for the quick replies, the pipe i was using was a washington corn cob, i know not to pack it too tight but the meat testing idea kinda gives me more of an idea, the tobacco i was using was condor blended, which didn't seem to smoke a lot and i don't know if it was because the pipe was brand new but the taste was nothing to write home about, i guess i will get it right soon enough, on the plus side i didn't inhale

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Usually if the bowl is packed too loose, a good tamp will fix it. Just be sure not to tamp it down too tight, because then you'll have the opposite effect. If you don't have a tamper or pipe tool, they're very inexpensive
http://www.tobaccopipes.com/brigham-3-in-1-pipe-tool/
There are of course much nicer tools, but the one in the link is really all you need. And in fact, if you have a wide head nail laying around, that will serve just fine.

 

[wizhunter]

Thanks guys, i tried another but similar results, a bit of trial and error and it should be ok, the cob i was using had a bit of rolled up paper with a plastic type coating, don't know if it was supposed to be a filter but i took it out and binned it, the smoke did seem plasticky to taste so maybe thats why i didn't enjoy it. will have another go maybe a bit later.

Thanks again guys

 

[bluegrasspipe]

That is a medico pipe filter. I like to have mine in the my favorite cob. I will replace it after 4 or 5 smokes. It shouldn't change the flavor, it is just paper.

The draw can be a little tricky on cob pipes for beginners in my opinion since they are usually a very open draw.

Here is another link to a thread on the same subject that may help. Many would agree with you that the filter is unnecessary.

 

[seagullplayer]

You tube can be your friend in this case...

 

[quint]

I have to agree with Sablebrush. Proper tobacco dryness is much more important than packing technique. Properly dried, packing technique will be less relevant.

 

[wasnsfisher]

Toss the filter an pack a bit tighter. You'll be much happier.

 

[olkofri]

Work on your packing technique. Work on your lighting technique even more. I've been pipeless for days due to a sore tongue that was the result of burns when lighting and relighting and relighting a pipe that would just not stay lit.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Work on your packing technique. Work on your lighting technique even more. I've been pipeless for days due to a sore tongue that was the result of burns when lighting and relighting and relighting a pipe that would just not stay lit.

No packing 'technique' is required if the tobacco is at the right moisture (flakes and plugs excepted; they require some actual technique). Lighting 'technique' is no more than not torching the tobacco on any light or relight.
Your burns/sore tongue are likely a direct result of too moist tobacco and the attendant excessive lights. And perhaps steam also due to that.

 

[olkofri]

Lighting 'technique' is no more than not torching the tobacco on any light or relight.

At the risk or hijacking the thread: up to how many seconds should one keep the flame circling around over the tobacco? If it doesn't light immediately, does that mean it's too moist?

 

[wizhunter]

Having my first bowl of the day and the flavour is a bit better, it's still gone out a couple of times but i will perservere till i get it right. @seagullplayer, i have watched hours of youtube video's but watching someone pack and getting the pressure right are 2 differentt things, but practice makes perfect so i will keep at it.

Thanks for your help so far guys, it's much appreciated

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Remember, that this is not like smoking a cigarette or a cigar. You are only getting the full benefit of the pipe by letting the smoke stay in your mouth. Sucking and blowing a lot of smoke is not, historically/traditionally, what pipe smoking is about. I remember having thoughts like what you posted on my first pipe, but soon you'll realize that sipping slowly and allowing the smoke to saturate and play around in your mouth with the taste buds is what should give you the most pleasure. Blowing smoke into the air is just wasting all of that flavorful and nicotine goodness on the air.

Getting a little air mixed in with your smoke is ok. You actually get the most flavor when the cherry of the fire in the chamber doesn't fully stretch across the top of the bowl, because the flavors and oils from the tobacco are pushed out by getting heated by the cherry. Whereas on a cigarette, the direct smoke from combustion is what you taste, and a cigar, it's the flavors from the leaf touching your lips and the heated tobacco directly behind the cherry that gives you flavor.
But, of course it's your pipe, and can chose to do what you like. I hope this helps.

 

[wizhunter]

Thanks Cosmic, i already knew not to just blast the smoke out and just chill, keeping the pipe lit is a bigger problem but i will get the knack soon enough, yesterday the smoke tasted awful but today has been alot better, i did actually get light headed and never thought that would happen with not inhaling, also i am finishing off my rolling tobacco so that will interfere with the taste buds as well, or i would of thought it would .

 

[mawnansmiff]

Wiz, much sage advice above. I will add that packing technique depends much on the actual cut of the tobacco and of course the moisture content.
You will find that with ribbon cut or shag cut blends you can pack a little tighter than with rubbed out flake blends. Ribbon and shag cuts tend to burn quicker than the thicker cuts such as broken/rubbed out flakes but both are smoked pretty much the same, ie by slow sipping once the pipe is 'going'.
Just don't worry too much about it...you will get there by trial and error...we've all been on that journey ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[wizhunter]

Cheers Jay, like i said in a previous post i can be a tad impatient and ideally would like to do it right from the start which i know won't happen, but the help and guidance from you and all the other guys helping me i know it won't be long till i get it right without thinking about it. In all honesty i thought it was a case of bang the baccy in the pipe, light it and then your done. That was before learning the teqniques you guys and youtube are learning me.