Breaking in a Pipe

[wizbang]

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I have been on, but I'm back! So I bought a new pipe and I'm in the process of breaking it in. I have broken in a few pipes with no problem. Smoke it lightly half full, then 3/4 full, then full about 10 times each. But while I was smoking my new pipe, I thought to myself...how do I know when my pipe is TRUELY broke in? Any thoughts??? And what are some break in methods you use?

 

[nathaniel]

Oh boy.... You poked the hornets' nest. Here it comes. Run for cover! :rofl:

 

[juni]

Pre-carb or not?
(If it is pre-carbed I usually just start smoking it normally from the get-go)

 

[wizbang]

It's not precarbonated. Even the precarbonated pipes I got new, I still broke in regularly in fear of scorching the bowl.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

If you're a hot smoker (not meaning sexy), then I might suggest the 1/4 to a 1/2 bowl smokes for a bit then move to the full bowls. Or, slow down a bit and relax!
Otherwise, if a slower smoker (not meaning intelligence) then just load and go. The briar is more durable than one might think IMO.

 

[juni]

I haven't bothered with the pre-carb ones and I can see no ill effects so far.

 

[jimbo]

Pipe smoking is an evolving hobby. What works best for YOU is the "right" way. :D
With pre-carbonized bowls, I have taken up the advice of pipemaker Mark Tinsky, who told me to fill it up and smoke it. Slowly, of course... right down to the bottom. (That is important.)
With non-carbonized, I wet the inside of the bowl and let it dry overnight, then do the 1/3... 2/3... full bowl thing for about a dozen smokes each.
I know my pipe is fully broken-in when I no longer get the taste/smell of burning wood. (When you get that taste when breaking in, STOP smoking immediately and let it go out and cool for a few minutes. Tamp, relight and continue smoking slowly to the bottom.)

 

[sdcowboy]

My method for breaking in a pipe...fill it up and smoke it down. Repeat as needed.

 

[unclearthur]

Load and fire. Never had any luck piddling around with partial bowls.

 

[wizbang]

Thanks everyone for your input. Sounds like many of you favor filling it up and just smoking it to the bottom, so I'll try that! ::

 

[ace57]

I load and go.

 

[pstlpkr]

Speaking to the "When is it broken in" question...
I think it is "broke-in" when you no longer think of the pipe as new and are comfortable just smoking it.

Otherwise; I think building a decent cake and being satisfied with it, may be another metric...

But, I would tend to go with comfortable.

 

[fullbent]

Cram it in and smoke it! (That's what she said) :rofl:

 

[irish]

I used to buy all my pipes from a little old man that made them here locally ( and he is was damn good at it, I might add), but every time I bought a pipe he would coat it with a thin layer of Honey. I never questioned him as he had forgotten more than I will ever know. He past on some time back, I still miss him. I still do this practice on every new pipe. I don't know if its the best or the worst but I like the smell and taste, so I do it. So far it has never failed me.