Bowl Temp Question

[OSOBUCO]

As I am still trying to figure out the right way to do this without bite I was wondering about bowl temp. I like it when my bowl feels warm in my hand but not hot and not cold either. Just warm like a heating pad on low or medium. Is that too warm? Should it always be cool to the touch. I know bowl size will make a difference bu say average size/thickness. thanks for the thoughts - still learning here

 

[Old_Newby]

I am new smoker also. I saw a YouTube video and the advice was if you can hold the bowl to your cheek for 5 seconds and it’s not uncomfortable then it’s a good temp. Of course as long as it’s in the true light burn.

 

[OSOBUCO]

I am new smoker also. I saw a YouTube video and the advice was if you can hold the bowl to your cheek for 5 seconds and it’s not uncomfortable then it’s a good temp. Of course as long as it’s in the true light burn.

Interesting - i have never had a bowl so hot I could hold it to any part of my body and experience discomfort - i still get tongue bite though .

 

[Old_Newby]

Interesting - i have never had a bowl so hot I could hold it to any part of my body and experience discomfort - i still get tongue bite though .

Yea me also. I agree. I don’t think that test works well either. Let’s share info cause I am new also. My smoke last night was unpleasant due to something that cause my tongue to taste like an ashtray. Not sure if that’s tongue bite or over light caused ash, etc. All the codgers here have warned us it takes time and that packing and lighting is an art form. I am starting to understand. It’s like cooking.. the wrong temp and blahhh.

 

[OSOBUCO]

Yea me also. I agree. I don’t think that test works well either. Let’s share info cause I am new also. My smoke last night was unpleasant due to something that cause my tongue to taste like an ashtray. Not sure if that’s tongue bite or over light caused ash, etc. All the codgers here have warned us it takes time and that packing and lighting is an art form. I am starting to understand. It’s like cooking.. the wrong temp and blahhh.

Indeed - I am battling tongue bite big time as well as trying to avoid 20 relights which takes the relaxation/enjoyment out of it for me. From all I have read I am not drying enough and likely packing too tight and it is in part the tobacco itself. I can seem to smoke straight black cavendish without any bite. Anyway, I am not sure about ash taste but whenever I smoke (usually weekends only) I taste the tobacco for at least 24 hours and its more of a lingering sweetness. Honestly though I wish the finish would remain only an hour or so. Cigars linger on my palate for a couple days at times.

 

[Old_Newby]

Indeed - I am battling tongue bite big time as well as trying to avoid 20 relights which takes the relaxation/enjoyment out of it for me. From all I have read I am not drying enough and likely packing too tight and it is in part the tobacco itself. I can seem to smoke straight black cavendish without any bite. Anyway, I am not sure about ash taste but whenever I smoke (usually weekends only) I taste the tobacco for at least 24 hours and its more of a lingering sweetness. Honestly though I wish the finish would remain only an hour or so. Cigars linger on my palate for a couple days at times.

Yea I like that lingering sweetness but want the flavors during smoke that’s the challenge. I have only had about 6-8 smokes and one was amazing. I think it was the pack / light because it was only one that stayed lit for 15-20 minutes without a relight. I started with packing light and tamping light but had issues, then yesterday I think I over packing caused issues. It is a balance of density.
Have you tried one of those metal screens in bottom of bowl yet? I am curious if it is forgiving of tight packs since an air pocket protects the stem exit?

 

[fireground_piper]

Could be more moisture or tight/loose packing instead of burning too hot from over puffing.

what general blends are giving issue?

I don’t put a lot of stock to wood temperatures unless you are overheating a real thick walled pipe. Different thicknesses and densities will headifferently. I smoke a few thin walled pipes that heat up quick around the embers and I don’t pay any attention to it.

 

[warren]

Depends on the temperature, the colder it is, the warmer I let the bowl get. Gotta keep fingers from getting numb.

 

[OSOBUCO]

Yea I like that lingering sweetness but want the flavors during smoke that’s the challenge. I have only had about 6-8 smokes and one was amazing. I think it was the pack / light because it was only one that stayed lit for 15-20 minutes without a relight. I started with packing light and tamping light but had issues, then yesterday I think I over packing caused issues. It is a balance of density.
Have you tried one of those metal screens in bottom of bowl yet? I am curious if it is forgiving of tight packs since an air pocket protects the stem exit?

I have not tried the metal screens. I kinda want to learn without the extra stuff so to speak. If others can do it we should be able to figure it out eventually

 

[forloveoffreedom]

None of my bowls get very warm but I think more important is your cadence and drying technique. I highly recommend loading 2 cobs with the same tobacco. One much dryer than you have been doin, one normal. Char light both and trade smoking between the two every few puffs.

 

[OSOBUCO]

. I highly recommend loading 2 cobs with the same tobacco. One much dryer than you have been doin, one normal. Char light both and trade smoking between the two every few puffs.

now that is an experiment worth trying! great idea - thanks! Seriously, i am a freaking scientist and I should have thought of this.

 

[reloader]

Yea I like that lingering sweetness but want the flavors during smoke that’s the challenge. I have only had about 6-8 smokes and one was amazing. I think it was the pack / light because it was only one that stayed lit for 15-20 minutes without a relight. I started with packing light and tamping light but had issues, then yesterday I think I over packing caused issues. It is a balance of density.
Have you tried one of those metal screens in bottom of bowl yet? I am curious if it is forgiving of tight packs since an air pocket protects the stem exit?

I've got some of those screens. They're a crutch. If I have some tobacco that needs drying, but I'm not willing to wait, I'll throw one of those in the bowl. It just helps keep the tobacco out of any moisture accumulating in the bottom of the bowl. A useful tool, but I don't use them much. You still need to get the pipe packed properly to that tobacco though. Each blend and cut may need a slightly different pack. I usually pack mine light and lightly tamp quite often during the session each time the smoke starts to diminish.

 

[bullet08]

Stick a meat thermometer in mid smoke. I reckon you'll get pretty close reading.

 

[STP]

Tobacco moisture, packing, cadence, etc., all are contributing factors for heat. I like to keep the bowl cool, occasionally warm, and never hot ?

 

[Old_Newby]

I had a good smoke this morning. 2 bowls actually. Not mind blowing but no ash flavor. Just mild sweetness. Slow and light sipping. No puffing except on light. No over lighting, just 4 good puffs. This morning I did have my coffee but I also slowed down, did not overfill or pack too tight (or too lose), did the char light and just waited a minute.. tampered and then a true light. Half way another tamper and light and all the planets aligned.

 

[monty55]

The old bite has bit? There's a ton of info on here about bite. But mostly it has to do with the tobacco your smoking, how dry or wet it is, and how fast your smoking. Are you smoking aromatics? They are more prone to bite you. Is your tobacco topped or cased? Those will be more prone to bite. Are you drying it out properly before loading? Too wet and it will bite, too dry and it will smoke hot and bite. Mostly though, sip slowly. If your bowl gets hot, you're smoking too fast. Warm is good.

 

[tbradsim1]

32 years of feeling bearings, and temps with hand at Exxon plant, if you hold the bowl and can count to 5 it’s below 150 degs, if not it’s over 150, too hot. You can take that to the bank, I Garronte!

 

[PipeIT]

My pipes are all barely warm when I smoke them.

Keep them on the warm side, the cooler the better.

So because you but are experiencing Bite, I would go to the extreme, and dry your tabac crispy.

Typically the touch feel test for tabac moisture is to take a small clump and pinch between your thumb and index, and it barely sticks together, it still has a very slight moisture feel.

But for now, you don’t want to feel any moisture.

There are also those that like to always dry their tabac crispy, it’s all really a personal preference.

But what you both should go for is complete dryness, and see what you come up with as far as bite is then concerned.

So it’s all going to depend on your ambient temps, pay attention to how long it takes to get crispy, then if that works, dry less each time, till you find the spot where you notice bite.

This will be determined by the time drying, and pinching the tabac for a moisture test, and in time with all your blends, you’ll know how long to dry and what moisture level works.

It’s been my understanding that Virginias are the worst for bite, especially Red Virginia.

 

[olkofri]

Thickness will definitely make a difference.

I stopped worrying about the temperature of the bowl ages ago. Unless it's too hot to hold I don't care. It's my tongue that is the guide.