It helped me to unlearn my previous held definition of "smoking".
When I thought of "smoking a tobacco product" it brought to mind cigars and cigarettes, both of which I've smoked. In regard to these two, "smoking" them is a very active process. You are constantly sucking and inhaling. If you don't do that you're doing it wrong.
And so, my foray into pipes involved constantly puffing which led to the bowl heating up, not really being able to taste the layers of flavor in the tobacco (it just tasted like smoke/ash), and smoking sessions that wouldn't last beyond 20 minutes. It also resulted in me shopping for pipes by chamber depth. Anything less than 1.5" was passed by. I figured the bigger the bowl, the longer the session. Which is true but instead of the difference between a 20 and 45 minute session, it's more the difference between an hour and 3 hour session.
Now that I've been doing it a few months and getting better at packing and being mindful of smoking, I'm finding my rhythm. I realized that I'm not supposed to "smoke" it in regard to my working definition of smoking a tobacco product (strong pulls/puffs). I'm simply leaving it in my mouth. When I concentrated on NOT puffing, I noticed that I was tasting more flavor. The tip of the stem seemed to retain some of the tobacco flavor too, similar to a cigar that has a 'sugar tip' but with the appropriate flavor of the current tobacco being smoked. From others comments I'm also realizing that the tobacco is burning cooler which allows me to taste the flavor of the tobacco instead of it tasting like ashes from burning so hot.
As a wet smoker, thanks to the P-lip, I've learned where best to place my tongue to reduce excess saliva. Now I occasionally puff, or as they say 'sip' because it's not a big drag like you would do to a cigar or cigarette. Just a gentle little sip to get some more smoke. If the tobacco seems to be going out a stronger puff is necessary. When I figured this all out, my smoking session doubled in time and I'm getting close to an hour now; even on smaller pipes and am now seeking smaller sized pipes.
It's been a fun journey so far!
When I thought of "smoking a tobacco product" it brought to mind cigars and cigarettes, both of which I've smoked. In regard to these two, "smoking" them is a very active process. You are constantly sucking and inhaling. If you don't do that you're doing it wrong.
And so, my foray into pipes involved constantly puffing which led to the bowl heating up, not really being able to taste the layers of flavor in the tobacco (it just tasted like smoke/ash), and smoking sessions that wouldn't last beyond 20 minutes. It also resulted in me shopping for pipes by chamber depth. Anything less than 1.5" was passed by. I figured the bigger the bowl, the longer the session. Which is true but instead of the difference between a 20 and 45 minute session, it's more the difference between an hour and 3 hour session.
Now that I've been doing it a few months and getting better at packing and being mindful of smoking, I'm finding my rhythm. I realized that I'm not supposed to "smoke" it in regard to my working definition of smoking a tobacco product (strong pulls/puffs). I'm simply leaving it in my mouth. When I concentrated on NOT puffing, I noticed that I was tasting more flavor. The tip of the stem seemed to retain some of the tobacco flavor too, similar to a cigar that has a 'sugar tip' but with the appropriate flavor of the current tobacco being smoked. From others comments I'm also realizing that the tobacco is burning cooler which allows me to taste the flavor of the tobacco instead of it tasting like ashes from burning so hot.
As a wet smoker, thanks to the P-lip, I've learned where best to place my tongue to reduce excess saliva. Now I occasionally puff, or as they say 'sip' because it's not a big drag like you would do to a cigar or cigarette. Just a gentle little sip to get some more smoke. If the tobacco seems to be going out a stronger puff is necessary. When I figured this all out, my smoking session doubled in time and I'm getting close to an hour now; even on smaller pipes and am now seeking smaller sized pipes.
It's been a fun journey so far!
