Crumble Cake Question

[nbpiper]

Hi,
I just opened and smoke my first bowl of Ten Russians, which also happens to be the first blend that I've tried that comes as a cake. I couldn't really find much info online about how to go about preparing this type of tobacco. So I just ripped off a small chunk, broke it apart a bit and packed my bowl somewhat loosely. While this did seem to work well, is there another more common way of preparing it, or did I happen to do it how most do?

 

[dylan793]

Exactly how I did it. I believe there's a video on youtube about this that pipesmagazine made. As far as I know, just rip some off, crumble it up and pack. 8)

 

[cyndi]

It's easier than it seems it should be, huh?

 

[judcole]

Yeah, it's not rocket science. :D

 

[olderthandirt]

Krumble Kake = User Friendly
How did you like the Ten Russians? I also had my 1st bowl of it 2 days ago.

Rich, creamy, good and stout is about the best I can come up with.
You?

 

[nbpiper]

Awesome, I love it when I do things right the first time. Figured I was going to find out I should be slicing it up and then crumbling it.

How did you like the Ten Russians? I also had my 1st bowl of it 2 days ago.

Rich, creamy, good and stout is about the best I can come up with.
You?

That pretty much is the same as I got. Love the stuff. Since my first bowl of Lat this is the blend that I have been looking for. Definitely not something I would smoke all the time, but sure glad I decided to order it, and try to keep around.

 

[dylan793]

I gotta say, in my (very) short piping career I initially spent too much time concerned about how I was preparing the tobacco. I scoured youtube and these forums making sure I was doing it "right". Then I realized, as long as I can make it fit in the bowl, light it, and keep it lit im doing at least something right. As long as you're enjoying it, keep doing what you're doing 8)

 

[olderthandirt]

Definitely not something I would smoke all the time, but sure glad I decided to order it, and try to keep around.

And...

As long as you're enjoying it, keep doing what you're doing

+1 to both

 

[schmitzbitz]

Mmm, Ten Russians is one of my "go-to" daily smokes - in fact, the first blend I enjoyed so much I dedicated a pipe to it.

I would highly recommend looking into Stimulus Package as well, I find it slightly more complex but just as kick-your-rear awesome.

 

[nbpiper]

Thanks for the recommendation with Stimulus Package. Have to give that one a try once I work my way through my open tins. Been looking for a couple of heavy English blends and so far found at least one and now have another to add to the list to try.

 

[olderthandirt]

While your making that list you might want to add H&H Ten to Midnight.

Similar in taste, a Krumble Kake as well.

Smoking a bowl just now and I'm thinking the Ten Russians is a little smoother perhaps.

 

[ohin3]

I totally agree with the idea of packing how you like to pack. Nothing wrong with experimenting now and then too. that's how you discover new things about a tobacco. I tried the fold and stuff method with the first flakes that I smoked before I was ever told that it was a packing method. I just thougt it would be interesting to see how a flake burned as a whole chunk rather than being broken up. I have cut crumble cakes into pipe chamber sized cubes and stuffed and smoked them. Give it a whirl and see what you think.

 

[smokey422]

The main crumble kake I smoke is Ten to Midnight from H&H. I usually rub it out as much as I can, which usually means small chunks, since it is pressed so hard. Then I smoke it slowly and figure on several relights. I also smoke C&D Bow-Legged Bear, which rubs out a little easier so I generally rub it into smaller pieces. Anniversary Kake, also from H&H, I can rub out almost to the consistency of a ready rubbed blend.
Smokey

 

[riptide]

The only crumble kake in cellar is Penzance I did find that if I back it to tight it really sucks to smoke.