Coffee Grinder Made a Big Difference

[mikestanley]

For years, and I mean since perhaps 2004, I've had trouble with FVF. Mostly, trying to rub it out to get a good burn. I currently have a jar from 2008 opened and, same problem. FVF just isn't very easy to rub out, in my experience.
This morning, I pulled out an old electric coffee bean grinder which I thought might come in handy for flakes but, never got a round to trying. I put a sufficient amount of flake, which has a perfect moisture for smoking, and hit it a few times with the grinder. I now have something akin to the cut of McClelland #25, which, is very easy to deal with (impossible to obtain, but easy to smoke). I am a happy, happy man.
I also opened a jar of 2004 Bob's Chocolate Flake. Less dry and generally easier to deal with, despite the base being FVF . Never could figure that out. Works well for that blend as well. What took me so long? Lol.
Mike S.

 

[ahinesdesign]

I too have trouble preparing flakes. I’ve got a couple blade-type grinders left over from my coffee days, and I think I’ll give this a try. ?

 

[workman]

Good for you! I'm considering that as well. There's really no reason not to at least try it!

 

[mikestanley]

I too have trouble preparing flakes. I’ve got a couple blade-type grinders left over from my coffee days, and I think I’ll give this a try. ?

Just be mindful, you can give yourself a pile of tobacco dust if you over do it.

Mike S.

 

[FurCoat]

I find SG in general hard to keep lit. Neighbor gave me a coffee grinder a few years back I don't use since mine has been going for 22 years now. I'll have to give this a whirl.

 

[seanv]

I rub it out with my hands or if I am lazy I will use a weed grinder

 

[jttnk]

Do you ever grind other blends? Maybe I’ll try this with blends I can’t keep lit. I’m talking to you SPC Plum Pudding and you Dreams of Kadath?

 

[Cucamonga95]

I rub it out with my hands or if I am lazy I will use a weed grinder

Don't know how accepted my long haired hippiedom is here, but I do the same thing. I have an older cheap "herb" grinder that I boiled all the kief out of specifically so I could use it to deal with thicker, meatier flakes like FVF. It works surprisingly well to get the strands shorter and more pliable.

FWIW, this type of grinder can be had at most bodegas, gas stations, and all head shops.

 

[John C.]

For years, and I mean since perhaps 2004, I've had trouble with FVF. Mostly, trying to rub it out to get a good burn. I currently have a jar from 2008 opened and, same problem. FVF just isn't very easy to rub out, in my experience.
This morning, I pulled out an old electric coffee bean grinder which I thought might come in handy for flakes but, never got a round to trying. I put a sufficient amount of flake, which has a perfect moisture for smoking, and hit it a few times with the grinder. I now have something akin to the cut of McClelland #25, which, is very easy to deal with (impossible to obtain, but easy to smoke). I am a happy, happy man.
I also opened a jar of 2004 Bob's Chocolate Flake. Less dry and generally easier to deal with, despite the base being FVF . Never could figure that out. Works well for that blend as well. What took me so long? Lol.
Mike S.

Good idea. I've thought about doing this also. Did you go by eye or did you pulse the grinder a number of times?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I just fold and stuff FVF. Around the third light, I give it extra to get it really burning well. That seems to work reasonably well. But I agree, the blend is a challenge. Beef jerky might be easier to smoke.

 

[mikestanley]

Good idea. I've thought about doing this also. Did you go by eye or did you pulse the grinder a number of times?

Just by eye ball. Very short, quick pulses and frequent look-sees.

Mike S.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Remember McClelland's Dark Star, with those pesky little rubbery bark-like flakes? I used to grind those down. It was the only way I could figure out how to do anything with them.

 

[stokesdale]

I don't smoke this blend, that said, I've always been amazed at what pipe smokers will do to smoke tobacco. Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing this at all, pretty ingenious actually, but if I had tobacco that I couldn't just stuff into my pipe and smoke (possibly having to cut it off a plug first is reasonable), I would likely just not continue to purchase that blend...way way too much trouble for me.

 

[kcghost]

The thought of putting my tobacco in a coffee blender just terrifies me. I would just turn the stuff to dust. Nope, no way.

 

[BarrelProof]

I don't smoke this blend, that said, I've always been amazed at what pipe smokers will do to smoke tobacco. Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing this at all, pretty ingenious actually, but if I had tobacco that I couldn't just stuff into my pipe and smoke (possibly having to cut it off a plug first is reasonable), I would likely just not continue to purchase that blend...way way too much trouble for me.

For some, totally. But I can also appreciate how others enjoy the whole process and a bit of complexity making the process more enjoyable.

But, this is coming from someone who abhors a Keurig and who spends 10-15 minutes a morning grinding and weighing beans, weighing water, heating to certain temps, etc. I thoroughly enjoy the process and extra steps actually make the end result more enjoyable for me.

 

[stokesdale]

For some, totally. But I can also appreciate how others enjoy the whole process and a bit of complexity making the process more enjoyable.

But, this is coming from someone who abhors a Keurig and who spends 10-15 minutes a morning grinding and weighing beans, weighing water, heating to certain temps, etc. I thoroughly enjoy the process and extra steps actually make the end result more enjoyable for me.

 

[tzanet]

Samuel Gawith flakes are weirdly pressed, that's the biggest reason they don't burn, rather than humidity. Cub cut is the way forward