Dumping Ash...

[Ctbill]

What do you do during the smoke - just keep tamping, or dump along the way? Why?
I have done both, but randomly, and for no reason (other than a windy day maybe to keep the ash from flying about) thus far. I personally need to study the effects, but curious what others do.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I usually dump once or twice per bowl. Just to keep things neat, and avoid any ashy taste that I sometimes "think" I get a hint of in looser packs.

 

[ray47]

I lightly stir the top layer of ash and dump before I relight. I do this only if the tobacco has cooled.

 

[seanv]

I may dump half the ash near the end but I usually don’t. The ash insulates the ember

 

[acidpox]

I usually do not dump. I may dump around 3/4 the way down if it's a tall bowl, but for the most part I just tamp it down.

 

[olkofri]

Leave it alone till mid-bowl, when it seems to interfere with the relights: then I dump it.

 

[Ctbill]

Thanks all. I should be more conscious of and consistent with the mid and 3/4 bowl dump maybe...
Keep them coming please!

 

[haparnold]

I lightly stir the top layer of ash and dump before I relight.

This is exactly what I do.

 

[JMcQ]

So weird... I just posted a question very similar to this. I'm glad others have these thoughts too.

 

[derhammer]

I don't mess with it until the end of the bowl usually. Might poke around the bowl if difficult to draw.

 

[didimauw]

If I can smoke a bowl all the way to the bottom without dumping the ash( maybe 1/2 the bowls I smoke) then its a good day. Or I was so busy I didn't even think about it till the end. But normally about the 3/4 way it starts getting really ashy, and sometimes hard to light because of it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I rarely dump ash until the bowl is smoked. Don't see the need and in fact, if tamped properly, I believe the ash helps maintain a good draw.

 

[trouttimes]

I agree with Hoosier, I almost never dump.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

My technique.... none really....light and smoke to the bottom. The best filled bowls do not even need tamping, but if the draw goes amiss, a light tamp or two usually settles thing back into enjoyment.

 

[Frozenoak]

I’ve never even thought to dump the ash until I’m done with the pipe. I may have to give it a try.

 

[augiebd]

I usually only dump ash before a relight. When I first started smoking a pipe I did dump ash more often but have discovered it is not necessary.

 

[mikethompson]

I thought this thread was about @ashdigger leaving the forums for a bit.

 

[ashdigger]

I thought this thread was about @ashdigger leaving the forums for a bit.

I'm a bit disappointed. I thought this thread was a poll to finally throw my sorry ass overboard.

 

[ron123]

I don't dump the ash until the end of a smoke. I'm aware that some others do, but I haven't ever tried it. Once in a blue moon I'll find some unsmoked tobacco at the bottom of the bowl when I go to clean it after smoking, so I could see how it could help prevent this. But really, I've never even considered dumping some ash during a smoke...but I guess, never say never...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've never felt compelled to dump the ashes till I am done. I have felt compelled to dump Ashdigger, but the feeling was only fleeting and short lived.