Breaking in my briar

[scratchglfr]

Question? I've been slowly breaking in a briar my first one and have questions about developing the needed cake. I've been smoking half bowls as recommended and the cake is starting to develope and work it's way toward the top of the bowl. My question is it appears to be thicker in some areas in the bowl, should I ream it to balance it out or let it go for awhile.

 

[pstlpkr]

Hey Scratch,

I would wait a while before "reaming". Once you get a cake all the way up to the rim, I would continue to smoke something dry in it to let the cake really set well before you start "whittling" on it. I think you'll find that it will fill in those thin spots on it's own over time. Sometimes it can take quite a while to build a good permanent cake (you know... one that won't chip or flake).
One thing you can do to aid in the smooth development of the cake is to use a paper towel (stuffed into the bowl and twisted firmly) in a warm bowl to smooth out the bowl.

This will do two things: 1) it will help remove some of the excess moisture from the bowl and 2) will smooth out the cake and promote the even building of the cake. (It sort of sands the fresh cake smooth.)

That's my two cents, and only an opinion. Hope that is helpful.

 

[scratchglfr]

Pstlpkr, Thank you for the lesson. I just want to make sure I'm breaking it in properly and I don't burn out the bowl.Now it makes since that captain black gold has a different taste when I smoke my meer.I imagine as the cake continues to build it will impart flavor into the briar.