Breaking in an Uncoated New Pipe

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JohnnyBeach

Might Stick Around
May 21, 2024
99
55
Bangor, Maine
Must be Deer Isle. There was a strange bridge connecting it to the mainland, great big hump of a bridge that my wife hated going over. Anyway, if you ever want a visit to an unspoiled island community, take the mail boat to Monhegan. When I was there, there was only one phone, no power, a small store that had an incredible selection of wines. I took a ton of photos for a day or two, then took the mail boat back to dry land.
Some of the most beautiful modern art came out of that artist's community in the 40s. Well-known illustrators in the last days before photography ruined American advertising illustration gathered there I think for the last hurrah as times changed the face of America.
You have to make arrangements for a stay at an inn on the island. There was a place in Port Clyde. I don't know if it's still there because a fire destroyed an old-fashioned general store and some other shops a few years ago.
There also is a boat Excursion to Egg Rock where there is a community of Puffins, some very colorful birds that only are found off the coast of Maine.
 

JohnnyBeach

Might Stick Around
May 21, 2024
99
55
Bangor, Maine
I have always noticed that more cake is not a bad thing--up to a point. I am shooting for 1/8 " of cake in most of my pipes.
Some of you have said 1/16 " is ideal and the cake should be hard, not composed of tobacco particles and ash, but presumably tars from the combustion process.
I usually wipe the chamber with a finger, removing much of the debris after smoking, so the cake builds slowly.
But I like cake because it insulates, even the quick forming variety that is comprised of junk left over from smoking. My Uncle Herb gave me a handsome Peretti bulldog that he had managed to put 1/4 " cake in. Magnificent but he changed his wind about how much cake was needed and cleaned the entire cake out of that pipe for me. I was disappointed but went along with his latest theory, curating the bowl frequently, never letting it build. Eventually, there was a burnthrough and that pipe went into storage until I patched it this summer, some 50+ years later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: buroak
Oct 19, 2024
12
25
New York
I have a follow-up question. Should I try to keep the flavor consistent when smoking from a pipe? I feel like with every new pipe my choices become limited after the first smoke.
 

JohnnyBeach

Might Stick Around
May 21, 2024
99
55
Bangor, Maine
I have cut back smoking to one bowl a day, sometimes one every third day. I feel no withdrawal, which is a Godsend.
But that stubborn pipe that failed to build cake at the bottom is now showing signs of improvement. I smoke a full bowl then follow with a half-bowl, which rnsures that I burn at least once in the bottom.
My wife is still outraged that I smoke at all, and is particularly livid that my Jeep smells of pipe smoke. We will be using my Jeep exclusively this winter. I suppose I will be quitting entirely in the cold weather. It's difficult, running the heater in 30-degree Temps with the windows open. Dogwalkers in the park have begun to give me strange looks.
 

Choatecav

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 19, 2023
541
1,459
Middle Tennessee
I have cut back smoking to one bowl a day, sometimes one every third day. I feel no withdrawal, which is a Godsend.
But that stubborn pipe that failed to build cake at the bottom is now showing signs of improvement. I smoke a full bowl then follow with a half-bowl, which rnsures that I burn at least once in the bottom.
My wife is still outraged that I smoke at all, and is particularly livid that my Jeep smells of pipe smoke. We will be using my Jeep exclusively this winter. I suppose I will be quitting entirely in the cold weather. It's difficult, running the heater in 30-degree Temps with the windows open. Dogwalkers in the park have begun to give me strange looks.
Sounds like you have some "hills" ahead of you. Good luck with your dilemma.....