Covering Bowl With Fingers While Drawing.

[metalheadycigarguy]

I too do this all the time when I have a bowl that's dying down. It works really well to get the bowl smoking good again. I've never noticed it making the smoke more enjoyable though.

 

[trailspike48]

I read this post last night and today I've been trying covering the bowl with a finger. I agree with forum members that it does aid in keeping a pipe lit. Also it does result in a nice satisfying puff. But when I think about the reason I am not convinced it is increased velocity over the ember. The volume of air being taken in doesn't change and the velocity in the stem would be identical with or without covering the bowl. It however would/might cause a fluctuation in velocity in different parts of the bowl. And I wonder if it isn't this turbulance that causes the effects we notice.
I've just been thinking of the reasons today and thought I'd share my thoughts, as misdirected as they may be.

 

[irwinmetro]

Restricting the bowl changes the air pressure dynamic in there. This concentrates a greater volume of air into a smaller area. More air, more oxygen, and it's all centralized on the ember giving it new life.
I think the reason we don't see a sharp increase in temperature is that the process creates a small vacuum effect. And while there is more oxygen being concentrated onto the ember, the lack of oxygen in the rest of the bowl doesn't allow it to catch and spread. Rather it has to burn more efficiently what's already lit.
That makes sense in my rattled mind anyways.

 

[trailspike48]

I can buy into your explanation metro, I don't know where pressuress would be higher or lower in the bowl, but it makes as much or more sense than other explanations. Wouldn't pressure variation result in turbulent air flow?

 

[vamike]

I catch myself covering the bowl especially when it is windy.

 

[zonomo]

I do this but only after smoking it about 25% through. I think I am fearful that i'll burn my fingers (that's happened enough on its own). I saw someone do this at a pipe club meeting, now its a regular thing with me.

 

[4dotsasieni]

I've found you can get this same sort of "carburetor effect" from the other end by holding the opening of the stem briefly up against the palate - works especially well with P-lips.

 

[mso489]

Like the choke on an engine, cuts down the oxygen relative to the fuel, tobacco in this case.

More tobacco burns, so you usually get a burst of flavor. My dad used to use a folder of

cardboard matches instead of his fingers, but he'd use a finger as a tamper. (?)

 

[thuber88]

Two fingers on occasion

 

[mrjerke]

I do this by habit as well. Especially when the bowl is going out. Although the fine gentlemen on Youtube I learned the Frank method from recommends never puffing hard when a bowl is going out... Just a simple relight is much better.

 

[tslex]

Crap.
Cannot figure out how to get Bernouli's equation to format correctly here.
Was going to post it without comment just to be a smart aleck.
That said -- venturi effect can be your friend if the tobacco isn't wanting to stay lit.

 

[werdna]

Here you go, tslex. I hope that does it for you. :lol:

 

[tennsmoker]

Well, that certainly explained it to me, Werdna :clap:

 

[werdna]

Glad I could be of service, tennsmoker, just a little high school algebra. BTW, the answer is 47.

 

[jonesee75]

Pack it, light it, smoke it, tamp it however you choose, but what is really important is that you enjoy it...

 

[wahoo92]

As a brand-new pipe smoker, this was one of the best pieces of advice I've received. Started doing this after reading this thread and it works like a champ. Cut my relights by two-thirds without puffing hard, which had only caused serious tongue bite...

 

[wilson]

Sorry, but I believe that the answer is 42.

 

[plateauguy]

Thanks Kashmir for the explanation.
From the time I was 3 years old I sat on my Grampa's knee and watch him smoke a pipe. He always was covering his pipe and sure enough, the minute I started smoking a pipe I did it the same way.

 

[wulfpack]

I have experimented with this (though not extensively) I have found the same as most, that it will help revive a dying ember, though I have also noticed (in my experience) that it does seem to increase the flavor with certain tobacco. It seems to me that tobacco with a sweet flavor, or added flavors, it seems to increase the flavor, where as with more 'pure' tobacco, it does not.

 

[settersbrace]

I do it as many have said as more of reflex type thing. Usually when I got everything just where it needs to be and I don't want the pleasure to stop for even a few seconds, I try to muffle the bowl top. If I'd've been more mindful, the tamper would have done a better job and probably prevented a relight but if I'm clenching and busy with something.......out she goes.