Confessions of a Daily Dottle Destroyer

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anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
16,949
31,784
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
if you pack a pipe right there should be almost no dottle to worry about. Like a few flakes. Also don't do that. If it happens great, if you force it there is a great chance of damaging the pipe seriously. The most burnt out spot seems to be around the draft hole, which is the easiest part of a pipe to actually burn because it's the closest in to kindling. Every pipe you have is worth more then the dottle left at the bottom.
 

jpmcwjr

Lifer
May 12, 2015
26,264
30,360
Carmel Valley, CA
if you pack a pipe right there should be almost no dottle to worry about. Like a few flakes. Also don't do that. If it happens great, if you force it there is a great chance of damaging the pipe seriously. The most burnt out spot seems to be around the draft hole, which is the easiest part of a pipe to actually burn because it's the closest in to kindling. Every pipe you have is worth more then the dottle left at the bottom.
I have to disagree strongly: the moisture content of the tobacco going in is far more important than how a pipe is loaded. Then, pace of the draw- not stoking too hot forcing moisture out which hits the cooler tobacco in the heel and condenses there. Finally, ambient humidity plays a role in how dry you can keep the tobacco in the heel.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
45,546
121,084
I have to disagree strongly: the moisture content of the tobacco going in is far more important than how a pipe is loaded. Then, pace of the draw- not stoking too hot forcing moisture out which hits the cooler tobacco in the heel and condenses there. Finally, ambient humidity plays a role in how dry you can keep the tobacco in the heel.
That's what I used to think too until I started packing wet tobacco more loosely than normal. It too can burn down to ash with the easier access to oxygen.
 

sardonicus87

Lifer
Jun 28, 2022
1,432
14,397
37
Lower Alabama
Obviously it's a little all drying, packing and good technique/cadence, as well as ambient humidity. All are factors in how much moisture will be in the bottom. Tighter pack means more tobacco means more total moisture that can boil out, wetter means obviously more moisture that can boil out, bad technique (smoking too fast) means more moisture will boil out. They're all factors.

That said, the moisture has nowhere to go except out the stem if the bowl is packed, so if the tobacco isn't sufficiently dried, technique and packing will only bandaid that so far and at a certain point, you will not be able to pack loose enough and smoke slow enough to not overwhelm the bottom with moisture.

It's humid af where I live, I almost never can burn a flake to the bottom no matter how much care I take. It's usually close, but I've only ever been able to get ribbon all the way to the bottom. The main thing is, I don't give flakes enough time to dry, which takes forever enough as it is with the high humidity.

I got PS flake rubbed out right now (as of 30 min ago) to smoke later, and that's the driest flake I have. It's gonna sit at least another hour minimum before I pack it.

Once the bowl gets low, I'll try a relight and if it won't stay lit, I don't fight it, I just dump it. Hell, the wet dottle sitting in my ashtray where I snuff out my cigarettes probably helps the ashtray to smell better.
 
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JOHN72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2020
5,988
58,946
52
Spain - Europe
I have no authority for the short time I have been smoking a pipe. But from time to time, in addition to loading the tobacco by gravity, something I learned from Chasing. Sometimes I load it a little tighter and tighter. I don't know if this is correct, but there is less oxygen, the temperature is somewhat lower, and by not removing the ash, the tobacco cooks better, it cooks slowly, well, I also like to smoke slowly, or maybe smoking as you should smoke it, not fast, relaxed, enjoying the moment. The aroma is more intense. You load by gravity too loosely, more oxygen enters, the more you carbonize the tobacco, and you have that horrible aftertaste of ash. This is a personal thought, I may or may not be wrong. I have practically no gurgling problems. What do you think?
 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
8,584
30,518
New York
It's a funny old thing packing techniques. Everyone has their preferred method. Most things I smoke are moist so I tend to pack on the loose side and everything burns down to a fine ash. Since I use Philt pads that kills off the moisture gurgles although I am partial to the odd Rose Geranium smoothie if the moisture build up gets a little out of control. It is all a matter of personal preference I suppose in the final analysis.
 

jpmcwjr

Lifer
May 12, 2015
26,264
30,360
Carmel Valley, CA
jpmcwjr said:
No "technique" is required for ready rubbed tobacco that's at the right moisture level.
Of course there is. No two people here smoke their pipes the same way. Finding the right moisture level is a technique in itself as well.
Getting the right moisture level does take some doing. But once there, you can just load and smoke.

And lots of people smoke similarly, some identically.