Does this pipe need broken in?

[probester]

I recently purchased a H.I.S. Grande Apple Bent pipe from pipes and cigars.

http://www.pipesandcigars.com/pipes/96462/h-i-s-grande-pipes/
I've yet to smoke it because I really haven't had the time, but I am trying to learn to break a pipe in. But I was looking at it and it seems to have a slick black "finish" on the inside of the pipe. Does it still need broken in? You won't be able to tell from the pictures but I thought I would ask because I really have no clue or how to even break one in, there are so many methods and ideas on it.
Any advice is appreciated.
Adrian

 

[stickframer]

I guess the coating is in there to help develop a cake. There are many thoughts and opinions about it. Anyway to break it in, I'd just fill it and light up. Pay attention to smoke slowly, and the cake will build slowly over the first 10 or so bowls and you'll have a broken in pipe.
There's tons of stuff on here about cake thickness and such, surf around for info if you'd like but I'd suggest not worrying too much about it. Some prefer a thin cake, some a thicker one, it's all subjective.

 

[aldecaker]

I have never met a pipe that doesn't need to be broken in. My preference is raw briar, because of the foul taste most bowl coatings give off. Some more, some less. Even cobs need to be broken in, even though the process is different, due to it being a different material. Oh, and if you have a new pipe and haven't had time to smoke it, you need to quit your job, get a divorce, or sell off some children. Or all three. That poor pipe is dying.

 

[stickframer]

http://www.pipesandcigars.com/mobile/faq/article/103/new-pipe-break-in

 

[wilson]

Don't fret over breaking in a pipe. Load up with your favorite blend and smoke slowly. That's all their is to it.

 

[warren]

For some that is true. Properly conditioning a pipe is simple and will help to improve your smoking experiences as well providing a bit of protection against burning out the pipe.
You will read otherwise though. Opinions vary widely as to what is a proper treatment for a new pipe. Can be a hot button issue. I prefer to go with tried and true techniques but, I came late to the party and have only smoked pipes for 50+ years.

 

[brass]

I spent decades breaking in pipes by thirds or quarters. I've broken in the The last couple of dozen pipes by simply packing them full and smoking carefully, taking care not to overheat the bow. Honestly, I can't tell the difference in the results between the two methods. So, I'm happy to break new pipes in using the simpler method.

 

[theediabeticman]

I let the old man Sir Walter Raleigh break in my pipes. Smooth non-aro burley sweetness..and I feel that it gives me a generic baseline for the taste direction I want that pipe to go (moving it to an English or VA pipe).

Have fun breaking it in

 

[cortezattic]

Use just a small pinch of tobacco in the pipe and smoke it slowly. Do this same thing every day.

On the next full moon, increase the amount you use by a pinch, and repeat the procedure until you're filling the pipe completely.
All kidding aside, I think you made a good choice for your first pipe. Welcome to the pastime. :clap:

Your journey begins....

 

[mso489]

The coating doesn't change the breaking in process, though some like to sand out most or all of the coating. Most of us just pack and light up. Dr. Grabow still asks buyers to smoke a partial bowl intermittent with a full bowl, to fully develop a carbon coating, and I don't scorn that idea. Like others, I prefer an uncoated bowl, and a few higher end pipes I've bought offer that. But coated bowls mostly break in just fine. I had one Parker that had too much coating in the shank, but I eventually wore that down with pipe cleaners. Don't get uptight about it. Do what feels right. Just don't pack it full and smoke it all day puffing furiously. Build a little carbon in the bowl and go easy at first. PC has crazy-good prices, one of the few places where I've ever bought two pipes at a time. I just hope they aren't closing too many independent brick and mortar retail pipe shops, a fading breed.

 

[brass]

Adrian, please let us know how that H.I.S. smokes. Nice looking pipe and I might want to pick one up, if reports are good.

 

[zack24]

Load it to the rim....smoke it down slowly ...repeat often....the briar doesn't know or care if you have OCD and use all the obsessive rituals that some swear by...