Coarse Cut Tobacco

[Aging_Hipster]

Wise mentors, cognoscenti, eminences grises,

Your young correspondent is having trouble with coarse cut tobacco. In this case, G. L. Pease's Windjammer. No matter how I pack it, I get a very tight draw. How do I prepare this style of tobacco? I tried rubbing it out and that helps some. Any other advice? Thank you!

 

[anotherbob]

my advice is dry it out and make sure that at the very tippy top of the bowl you put the more broken smaller bits as kindling. I am guess your problem is the same I've had where if you put a bigger piece on top it messes up the initial draw but for some reason further down larger piece have no ill effect on draw. If that doesn't work maybe try wearing a different hat and see if that does something or whatever other advice people give you.

 

[bullet08]

You want a lot of room at the bottom, "air pocket". That gives easy draw. I just load up the bowl and tamp at the end with my thumb so the tobacco doesn't fall out. Codger scoop works, so does jamming the tobacco into the chamber in a big lump. Doing that will cause friction against the wall of the bowl. And this will prevent filling to the bottom of the chamber and create air pocket.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

my advice is dry it out and make sure that at the very tippy top of the bowl you put the more broken smaller bits as kindling. I am guess your problem is the same I've had where if you put a bigger piece on top it messes up the initial draw but for some reason further down larger piece have no ill effect on draw. If that doesn't work maybe try wearing a different hat and see if that does something or whatever other advice people give you.

I have something like 100 hats, so I'll try that.

 

[anotherbob]

I have something like 100 hats, so I'll try that.

it probably won't hurt.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I didn't find Windjammer to be course at all. It's a broken flake sorta thing. It's funny that he even calls it a flake, because you can't pick up a single flake in there without it falling into a thousand ribbons.

What tobacco are you more used to packing?

Maybe try not jamming it in, but just sorts of rub it out a little and gravity feed it in and just lightly press, light it and go.

 

[mso489]

Why are most pipe people also hat people? Not everyone, but an inordinate number, as am I.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Why are most pipe people also hat people? Not everyone, but an inordinate number, as am I.

Pipe smoking is the most accessory oriented smoking there is. Plus, it is a hobby of mostly us old people, who may be losing hair and worried about skin cancer. I wear a hat of some sort everywhere.

 

[ofafeather]

my advice is dry it out

I think I would start there. The drier the tobacco the more forgiving the pack and vice versa.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

It's so humid year round in South Texas, drying requires a microwave.

 

[ofafeather]

It's so humid year round in South Texas, drying requires a microwave.

Some people use a lamp but with LEDs the norm now that might not help. Low toaster oven works too.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

Some people use a lamp but with LEDs the norm now that might not help. Low toaster oven works too.

I'll try that.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

Why are most pipe people also hat people? Not everyone, but an inordinate number, as am I.

For we are gentlemen of distinction and sartorial splendor!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm in 100% humidity Alabama. I use one of those coffee mug warmers to dry whole tins out at a time. Otherwise, leaving the tins open by themself will just continue to get wetter and wetter.

 

[danimalia]

I have found Windjammer comes a bit wetter than most Pease flakes...

Are you rubbing the flakes (or clumps to be more accurate) out? With Pease/C&D flakes, I find just rubbing between my thumb, index and middle fingers to be sufficient, but you can also rub it between your palms for a finer consistency. Let it dry out some. If you press some between your fingers, it shouldn't crumble into dust, and when you dropped the pressed bit onto a table it should slowly spring back into shape instead of staying clumped together. Ideal dryness is largely a matter of both feel and personal preference, so don't be afraid to experiment, but hopefully the above gives you a good guideline to shoot for.

I rub, then dry. I usually find these C&D flakes to be great to work with and once you get your tech pique down, hopefully you'll feel the same way.

 

[danimalia]

I live in a relatively dry climate, but I use my car defroster to speed things along. Turn the window defroster on to 80-90 degrees. Place a bowl's worth of tobacco into an empty tin and place the uncovered tin over the vents that heat your windshield. Check it every couple of minutes because it tends to dry fast. May be a bit slower in humid climates.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

I live in a relatively dry climate, but I use my car defroster to speed things along. Turn the window defroster on to 80-90 degrees. Place a bowl's worth of tobacco into an empty tin and place the uncovered tin over the vents that heat your windshield. Check it every couple of minutes because it tends to dry fast. May be a bit slower in humid climates.

Not sure that will work here, except on the three days a year I use the heater, but it makes sense. Your advice on rubbing it out is excellent. Thanks.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Why are most pipe people also hat people? Not everyone, but an inordinate number, as am I.

I tend to agree with you. I have always worn hats of various sorts..... even when they were considered “uncool”. For me, they are utilitarian and pleasant (just as is a pipe IMO). I utilized both simply because they suit me, I guess. Same thing in my instance in regards to a beard and mustache..... simply felt it was “me” whether it was in style or not. All of the above have been “me” for my several decades of adulthood.

 

[Aging_Hipster]

I tend to agree with you. I have always worn hats of various sorts..... even when they were considered “uncool”. For me, they are utilitarian and pleasant (just as is a pipe IMO). I utilized both simply because they suit me, I guess. Same thing in my instance in regards to a beard and mustache..... simply felt it was “me” whether it was in style or not. All of the above have been “me” for my several decades of adulthood.

Well said.

 

[bullet08]

Why are most pipe people also hat people? Not everyone, but an inordinate number, as am I.

I started wearing hat due to my eyes. Since wearing glasses, and not enjoying sunglasses, started wearing trucker hat. But any hat will do as long as it shades my eyes.