Burning Tobacco

[WVOldFart]

I am probably over obvious but I believe a lot of new pipe smokers don't understand the concept of smoking a pipe. Due to this fact many eventually stop trying to smoke comfortably. I believe that many beginners believe that you pack the pipe and then throw the fire to it and burn the tobacco to get the flavor. I have seem some individuals suck the flame deep into the bowl to get huge bellows of smoke. If you think that to get flavor you must burn the tobacco you will get exactly that, a burnt tobacco taste. In reality, you gently light the upper portion of the bowl with the charr light. The warmth of the charr light warms the oils in the tobacco underneath it. The oils in the tobacco or that have been placed on the tobacco are transferred to the mouth by the smoke while softly sipping the pipe. If the individual can visualize in their mind the process of what is happening in the pipe it may help them to slow down and try to get the flavors of the oils. I am a strong believe that whatever way you smoke your pipe that makes you happy, then more power to you, but if you don't want a burnt tobacco taste try to take your time and warm the tobacco, don't burn it.

 

[dog_park_piper]

You have to flirt with the tobacco.

 

[David D. Davidson]

You verbalized that extremely clearly - I distinctly remember coming to this realization at some point during the early days of my pipe smoking journey, and it was perhaps the single biggest step I took in developing my technique. It also leads to a much longer, more nuanced smoke, as I erroneously thought I was supposed to be pulling the embers through the bowl to combust everything, rather than having it move as slowly as possible so as to vaporize the oils below. I think it was a good six months to a year before I had this lightbulb moment.

 

[Lucashly]

I am probably over obvious but I believe a lot of new pipe smokers don't understand the concept of smoking a pipe. Due to this fact many eventually stop trying to smoke comfortably. I believe that many beginners believe that you pack the pipe and then throw the fire to it and burn the tobacco to get the flavor. I have seem some individuals suck the flame deep into the bowl to get huge bellows of smoke. If you think that to get flavor you must burn the tobacco you will get exactly that, a burnt tobacco taste. In reality, you gently light the upper portion of the bowl with the charr light. The warmth of the charr light warms the oils in the tobacco underneath it. The oils in the tobacco or that have been placed on the tobacco are transferred to the mouth by the smoke while softly sipping the pipe. If the individual can visualize in their mind the process of what is happening in the pipe it may help them to slow down and try to get the flavors of the oils. I am a strong believe that whatever way you smoke your pipe that makes you happy, then more power to you, but if you don't want a burnt tobacco taste try to take your time and warm the tobacco, don't burn it.

As you said, I think one word that cannot be overemphasized is to sip the pipe. Sip means as you would a straw. This means you will not get a big huge smoking experience but the tobacco in the bowl will last longer and most important you will taste the leaf. Also I stopping getting tongue stain when I did this. Don't be concerned if you relight. It doesn't matter. But that is another subject.

 

[FLDRD]

I am probably over obvious but I believe a lot of new pipe smokers don't understand the concept of smoking a pipe. Due to this fact many eventually stop trying to smoke comfortably. I believe that many beginners believe that you pack the pipe and then throw the fire to it and burn the tobacco to get the flavor. I have seem some individuals suck the flame deep into the bowl to get huge bellows of smoke. If you think that to get flavor you must burn the tobacco you will get exactly that, a burnt tobacco taste. In reality, you gently light the upper portion of the bowl with the charr light. The warmth of the charr light warms the oils in the tobacco underneath it. The oils in the tobacco or that have been placed on the tobacco are transferred to the mouth by the smoke while softly sipping the pipe. If the individual can visualize in their mind the process of what is happening in the pipe it may help them to slow down and try to get the flavors of the oils. I am a strong believe that whatever way you smoke your pipe that makes you happy, then more power to you, but if you don't want a burnt tobacco taste try to take your time and warm the tobacco, don't burn it.

Over the last few months I've come to feel that the concept of "smoking" the pipe is incorrect in this nuanced sort of way. It did lead me to approach it differently than I do now. It's more enjoyable now.

 

[bullet08]

Can't rush a good smoke. Slow, relaxed manner does it good.

 

[orvet]

I am probably over obvious but I believe a lot of new pipe smokers don't understand the concept of smoking a pipe. Due to this fact many eventually stop trying to smoke comfortably. I believe that many beginners believe that you pack the pipe and then throw the fire to it and burn the tobacco to get the flavor. I have seem some individuals suck the flame deep into the bowl to get huge bellows of smoke. If you think that to get flavor you must burn the tobacco you will get exactly that, a burnt tobacco taste. In reality, you gently light the upper portion of the bowl with the charr light. The warmth of the charr light warms the oils in the tobacco underneath it. The oils in the tobacco or that have been placed on the tobacco are transferred to the mouth by the smoke while softly sipping the pipe. If the individual can visualize in their mind the process of what is happening in the pipe it may help them to slow down and try to get the flavors of the oils. I am a strong believe that whatever way you smoke your pipe that makes you happy, then more power to you, but if you don't want a burnt tobacco taste try to take your time and warm the tobacco, don't burn it.

Excellent description! It is very much the same way one lights they fine cigar. Slowly warm the end of the cigar with the flame, not one of those mini blow torches unless you are very practiced, so that the oils in the leaf begin to warm up and give you a good flavorful smoke. I have seen people light a cigar by puffing madly on it and then complain it tastes bad.
It's no different with a pipe. Coax the tobacco into wanting to burn, slowly and evenly. I don't think the importance of the charing light can be overstated.

 

[tobakenist]

Light Tamping is also very important, the more you tamp the less you relight.

 

[jipper]

I find it takes me lots of patience and restraint at the charring light moment. The excitement builds. I may not have unlimited time. As a result I can rush things even though I know better.

I do appreciate being reminded about warming the tobacco, and the fact that we are tending embers not firing coal for a steam engine.