Dumping ashes before relight

[markus]

Welcome to the forum. I don't recomend smoking to the bottom of the bowl. I usually dump out the last bit at the bottom, it proves hard to stay lit and not very tasty. The last bit at the bottom is called dottle. From all that I have read this is common practice. I usually make one ash dump at the halfway point of a bowl and it's common for me to have 2 to 3 relights. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[shroedingerscat]

You need to scoop out the ash as you smoke, unless you like the old ashtray taste when you get towards the bottom, and like to re-light often. That's why pipe tools have the little scoop on them. Check your bowl every so often while you smoke. If you can't see any burning embers when you puff, it's time to scoop out the ash. Dumping is not recommended because oftentimes, the whole tobacco load will come out, and that will be the end of your smoke.
I can almost always smoke all the way to the bottom of the bowl with no ashy taste, no relights, and nothing left but a fine, grey ash...no dottle at all.
The only exception to this is if I accidentally get ahold of some cheap tobacco that just makes a gooey, tarry mess in the bottom of the bowl. Wet tobacco does not burn. It's caused by additives and heavy casing, which I abhor. At the first hint of any gurgle, I dump the pipe immediately and get rid of the tobacco. I won't smoke that blend again.

 

[carver]

It's the same or me. From what I read here (good practice that I try to follow), I usually stir a little half bowl and dump what moves. I do relight a lot though, it must be my packing technique is not totally correct.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I can almost always smoke all the way to the bottom of the bowl with no ashy taste, no relights, and nothing left but a fine, grey ash...no dottle at all.

Ah, the classic perfect smoker. Congratulations!

The only exception to this is if I accidentally get ahold of some cheap tobacco

How does one accidentally get a hold of poor tobacco??

 

[shawnofthedead]

I only dump ash when there is too much of it that it became difficult to light the unburnt tobacco underneath.

 

[easterntraveler]

The first response by Elbert hit it right on the head.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I like Shawn's even better. Dumping ash doesn't—for most—dramatically improve anything. But, as always, YMMV.

 

[carver]

@JPMCWJR : YMMV?

 

[stanlaurel]

@carver
YMMV= your mileage may vary. Which means "your answers may vary".

 

[hierophant]

I have a few pipes with particularly deep bowls, sometimes it's helpful on those to dump the ash after I pass the halfway point. Generally though I find ash dumping isn't necessary, but I don't think you hurt anything by doing it either.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Mileage varies also means "whatever you think"- if you think a certain act improves the flavor, it does for you! But another might find no effect at all.

 

[pastordaniel]

What a hassle to post pics! Hope this works.

 

[danimalia]

How does one accidentally get a hold of poor tobacco??

I didn't make the statement, but I'll answer the question anyway. Ah, you know... The dope man talks a good game because he needs to compensate to cover all the dope he's used himself instead of selling, and when yo get home, you find you've been ripped off.
Pretty common story, really. No wait, apparently it's just me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

'Ceptin' we're talking pipe tobacco. I've never seen street folk try to sell me either Mixture 79 or Penzance or anything in between.

 

[disinformatique]

I dump ash mid bowl, it greatly improves the smoke quality.

 

[mrbigglesworth]

This is certainly an interesting topic; one I've wondered about myself. When I first started smoking the pipe I was told NOT to dump the ash, that it acted as an insulator to keep the tobacco burning cool (much like a cigar). Then some time ago I read an article saying that you SHOULD dump the ash, and that the pipe would burn better and taste better. I've not found any real benefit to keeping the ash (as in burning cooler). But like some who've posted above I have noticed an improvement in taste and better burning qualities after dumping. I still like to play around and experiment with this. Thanks for posting this topic, pastordaniel!

 

[jpmcwjr]

So, dumping the ash may be a good thing, sometimes.

Dumping ash may or may not produce a better smoke.

Dumping ash may or may not produce a worse smoke.

Not dumping the ash is good in some situations, particularly around fine silks and linens.
I'm sure I left out some scenarios, but is that about it?
If a tap on the side of the bowl and then a tip removes some ash, so be it. If not, also so be it.

 

[pastordaniel]

@lee - I have so many other questions, but I thought I'd start with one I considered less controversial. Looks like I need to recalibrate my internal rating system. I guess I better wait on my "I don't like Carter Hall" post ... (uh-oh, now I've done it ...)

 

[jpmcwjr]

Actually, I thought last night of a real answer: Leave the ash unless it makes relighting difficult. A smallish layer of ash can help on relights, in that a little less intensity of flame is visited upon the remaining tobacco, generally a good thing.
I don't think there's any aspect of pipe smoking that is, shall we say, sacrosanct. Fire away!