Do you Dump Ash Mid-smoke?

[J-Evverrett]

Last try - I don’t care if the answers are polite or snarky - how does this ash get dumped/removed?

I just tip the pipe over and tap on the heel with my finger, or a pipe knocker in the ashtray. The light, dry ash falls right out.

 

[ukbob]

Never done it can’t see me changing either.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Can you elaborate on what’s an accomplished smoker?

I'll give it my best shot.
An accomplished smoker is someone who smokes their pipe all the way down to a fine grey ash using maybe two or three relights on some of the most troublesome tobaccos. One does not get tongue bite, even if using moist tobacco, which I always do.
There will be no moisture during or after smoking anywhere in the pipe, not at the bottom of the chamber, not in the shank nor in the stem, and one does not use a pipe cleaner down the stem during smoking.

On that last point I have to admit that the humidity here in London never gets above 55, so I have no experience what it maybe like in certain parts of America for instance.

However it is perfectly possible to have to use a pipe cleaner down the stem here in the UK, because that's just what I used to do until 10 years ago, when I finally learnt how to smoke leaving no moisture at all.
I also used to get tongue bite, dump ash, and all the other nasties of the inexperienced.

 

[Egg Shen]

I’ll tap it out if it’s a loose ash that could easily blow out when handling the pipe. Sometimes the ash from certain blends homogenizes and it’s pretty much a solid thing until the end of the smoke. I do not make a point of chipping away at the latter sort - since it’s not messy.

 

[karam]

I'll give it my best shot.
An accomplished smoker is someone who smokes their pipe all the way down to a fine grey ash using maybe two or three relights on some of the most troublesome tobaccos. One does not get tongue bite, even if using moist tobacco, which I always do.
There will be no moisture during or after smoking anywhere in the pipe, not at the bottom of the chamber, not in the shank nor in the stem, and one does not use a pipe cleaner down the stem during smoking.

On that last point I have to admit that the humidity here in London never gets above 55, so I have no experience what it maybe like in certain parts of America for instance.

However it is perfectly possible to have to use a pipe cleaner down the stem here in the UK, because that's just what I used to do until 10 years ago, when I finally learnt how to smoke leaving no moisture at all.
I also used to get tongue bite, dump ash, and all the other nasties of the inexperienced.

What you are describing is arbitrary, who cares or checks? Other than tongue bite, which I agree is about technique,the rest havr v

Let’s see, i never get tongue bite for many years now, neither do i ever gneed to use a pipe cleaner mid smoke.
Now in terms of relights and moisture, it’s on the blend, not the smoker, in my experience. Gawith Dark Flake Scented, Ennerdale, Coniston, Bosun i smoke as they come, all need many relights at the end, and leave some moisture. StJames/Full Virginia Plugs i cube cut and smoke when they are bone dry. Some of my pipes can and do occasionally gurgle, in my opinion it’s the pipes, not me or the blends. The key point is whether I’m enjoying my smoke or not, overwhelmingly i do

 

[sherlockRoy]

Title edited. Please capitalize important words. -jpm

I've been frustrated to find several different blends delicious for half a bowl, but acrid after the halfway point (or thereabouts).

It occurred to me this evening that this may be due partly (or wholly?) to the accumulation of ash that I'm tamping on top. I just tried dumping ash about half way through (obviously some was still left), then tamping what remained and relighting. It seemed to improve the remainder somewhat (although it still didn't render it as good as the first half of the bowl).

Do many of you dump ash part way through, like this, and I've just missed this practice until now?

Never. The ash helps insulate the smoke yet keeping it from burning too fast, and it coats the inner bowl as it goes down, later to harden into the cake you want to form (to a point) in a bowl. I too however find tobaccos to go bitter or stronger in the bottom half, especially English blends after the Latakia asserts itself a bit too much.

 

[Jimmy_Jack]

Depends on that particular session. So yes and no. For all the reason already discussed. At the end of the day, just do what you want my brother

 

[LeafErikson]

I'll give it my best shot.
An accomplished smoker is someone who smokes their pipe all the way down to a fine grey ash using maybe two or three relights on some of the most troublesome tobaccos. One does not get tongue bite, even if using moist tobacco, which I always do.
There will be no moisture during or after smoking anywhere in the pipe, not at the bottom of the chamber, not in the shank nor in the stem, and one does not use a pipe cleaner down the stem during smoking.

On that last point I have to admit that the humidity here in London never gets above 55, so I have no experience what it maybe like in certain parts of America for instance.

However it is perfectly possible to have to use a pipe cleaner down the stem here in the UK, because that's just what I used to do until 10 years ago, when I finally learnt how to smoke leaving no moisture at all.
I also used to get tongue bite, dump ash, and all the other nasties of the inexperienced.

This dude is talking in this thread like he’s about to suit up for the pipe smoking Olympics or something. Never seen someone approach something as simple as pipe smoking with such austerity. But hey if it brings you enjoyment by all means carry on.

To answer the post it is blend dependent. Ribbon cuts I generally don’t and with some flakes I do. It’s such an unconscious thing for me though that it’s actually hard to recollect whether I do or don’t. I’ll have to pay attention next time and see if I do it or not.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

What you are describing is arbitrary, who cares or checks? Other than tongue bite, which I agree is about technique,the rest havr v

Let’s see, i never get tongue bite for many years now, neither do i ever gneed to use a pipe cleaner mid smoke.
Now in terms of relights and moisture, it’s on the blend, not the smoker, in my experience. Gawith Dark Flake Scented, Ennerdale, Coniston, Bosun i smoke as they come, all need many relights at the end, and leave some moisture. StJames/Full Virginia Plugs i cube cut and smoke when they are bone dry. Some of my pipes can and do occasionally gurgle, in my opinion it’s the pipes, not me or the blends. The key point is whether I’m enjoying my smoke or not, overwhelmingly i do

If you don't care and you're enjoying your smokes, I can't argue with that.

One thing is for certain though: pipes do not gurgle by themselves. it is 100-percent caused by the poor technique of the smoker.

if it doesn't bother you, carry on, enjoy yourself.

If it ever does bother you though send me a PM, and I will give you some easy to follow advice on how to knock that gurgling on the head for good.
I shan't say it on here because I'll just get shot down in flames again.

seriously, people have posted on here asking for advice, when I give it it with the best of intentions, I sometimes get a response like - " Don't you tell me how to smoke ! "
I mean, for goodness sake. they did ask. Phew !

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

This dude is talking in this thread like he’s about to suit up for the pipe smoking Olympics or something. Never seen someone approach something as simple as pipe smoking with such austerity. But hey if it brings you enjoyment by all means carry on.

To answer the post it is blend dependent. Ribbon cuts I generally don’t and with some flakes I do. It’s such an unconscious thing for me though that it’s actually hard to recollect whether I do or don’t. I’ll have to pay attention next time and see if I do it or not.

And there I was thinking I was talking like I knew what I was doing.
Yeah, very nice. Slag me off and try to make me look stupid to the whole forum.
I do not appreciate your comments. not at all. Just too personal and damn rude.

 

[SunriseBoy]

Title edited. Please capitalize important words. -jpm

I've been frustrated to find several different blends delicious for half a bowl, but acrid after the halfway point (or thereabouts).

It occurred to me this evening that this may be due partly (or wholly?) to the accumulation of ash that I'm tamping on top. I just tried dumping ash about half way through (obviously some was still left), then tamping what remained and relighting. It seemed to improve the remainder somewhat (although it still didn't render it as good as the first half of the bowl).

Do many of you dump ash part way through, like this, and I've just missed this practice until now?

Every time. One third, and sometimes two thirds the way down.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

Last try - I don’t care if the answers are polite or snarky - how does this ash get dumped/removed?

Scrape it out with a pipe tool or a nail I guess?

 

[LeafErikson]

And there I was thinking I was talking like I knew what I was doing.
Yeah, very nice. Slag me off and try to make me look stupid to the whole forum.
I do not appreciate your comments. not at all. Just too personal and damn rude.

Hey man I didn’t mean for that to offend you. I was just trying to bring some levity to the situation as opposed to making you feel attacked. Maybe something was lost in translation via text. Sorry brother!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Nope

 

[SunriseBoy]

Scrape it out with a pipe tool or a nail I guess?

Generally, I just use the Czech tool, gently disturb the ash, and quietly tap it out on the grass, ash jar etc. You can feel where the tobacco is, it gets a bit firmer than the ash. I'm sure you'll get the idea.

 

[Cappy]

Yes

 

[jpmcwjr]

Closed. The topic was do you or don't you, not much more.