Duration of a Bowl

[cigrmaster]

I smoke flake tobacco almost exclusively and I fold it and stuff it. I get 1.5 - 2 hours of smoking pleasure. Almost al of my pipes are group 4-5. I have a few group 6 pipes and can get almost 3 hours or so on those. I clench my pipes all the time as well. I think clenching helps to smoke slower and develop your own cadences.

 

[warren]

On average? 45 minutes to an hour depending on all the variables listed above and adding in weather and what I'm doing at the time. If I'm snugged down in a blind, longer than if I'm humping equipment across country. If I'm home working at the computer, longer.

 

[SmokeClouds]

As other members mentioned it depends on the dryness, cadence of smoking and cut of the tobacco. I like pipes with chambers of 21-22 mm wide and 40-42 mm depth. Takes me 45 min to 75 min to finish a bowl.

 

[bullet08]

Typically 1 - 1.5 hours if I fill the pipe to top. But usually I get tire of smoke around 45 min. So I pack less most of the time. Flakes and coins usually longer. Plug and cake, depend how I prep it.

 

[jewman22]

1/2hr to 1hr depending on cut and moisture, and of course the size of the bowl.
My average is around 50min. Flakes take longer.

 

[saltedplug]

I smoked rubbed out Dark Flake in a group 4. I was always going to slow down but never did. The only thing that did was my mouth starting to hurt in progress.

 

[OzPiper]

So many variables to consider : -

a) Bowl size and shape. I have pipes ranging from Group 1-6. My preference is a Group 3-4 which usually gives me a 30-40min smoke.
A wide shallow bowl will smoke faster than a tall, narrow one generally.

b) Cut of tobacco. Finer cuts will burn faster. A rubbed out flake will smoke a lot faster than a folded&stuffed one

c) The moisture content of the tobacco - the drier the better and faster it burns.

d) Prevailing weather conditions. Is it windy or a really humid day ?

e) What you are doing while smoking. I never smoke while I am doing something active as that makes me puff faster. Reading is my favourite activity while I have a smoke as I find it relaxing.
If I'm smoking in company, it'll take a lot longer, as we chat and shoot the breeze.

f) Your puffing cadence. Some like it best when the tobacco is just about to go out. Me, I like to keep it smoky. If the bowl feel hot, I know to slow down.

g) How much time do you have ? If I've set aside 90 minutes for a smoke and I finish in an hour, or if I haven't finished reading the papers, I'll just fill another pipe, light up and sit back and enjoy

 

[irishearl]

So many variables to consider : -

a) Bowl size and shape. I have pipes ranging from Group 1-6. My preference is a Group 3-4 which usually gives me a 30-40min smoke.
A wide shallow bowl will smoke faster than a tall, narrow one generally.

b) Cut of tobacco. Finer cuts will burn faster. A rubbed out flake will smoke a lot faster than a folded&stuffed one

c) The moisture content of the tobacco - the drier the better and faster it burns.

d) Prevailing weather conditions. Is it windy or a really humid day ?

e) What you are doing while smoking. I never smoke while I am doing something active as that makes me puff faster. Reading is my favourite activity while I have a smoke as I find it relaxing.
If I'm smoking in company, it'll take a lot longer, as we chat and shoot the breeze.

f) Your puffing cadence. Some like it best when the tobacco is just about to go out. Me, I like to keep it smoky. If the bowl feel hot, I know to slow down.

g) How much time do you have ? If I've set aside 90 minutes for a smoke and I finish in an hour, or if I haven't finished reading the papers, I'll just fill another pipe, light up and sit back and enjoy

Yup, 1 of the reasons if not the biggest reason why my bowls don't last as long as many here is that I. too, like to keep mine smoky. Don't like anemic trails of smoke heading into my mouth.

 

[sablebrush52]

It kind of depends on the blend, more than the size of the chamber. I've smoked a tiny piece of vintage Edgeworth Slice for a good hour and 15, 20 minutes, just a chunk at the bottom of the bowl. And I've smoked Yorktowm in a mid sized bowl in 35, 45 minutes. Yesterday I was smoking St Bruno ready rub for an hour 40 in a slightly larger than average chamber and didn't go much past half way.
Some blends take readily to the match and others seem to be covered in fire retardant.

 

[buckaroo]

1hr and 10 to 15mins in an average to small bowl.

 

[fellrobin]

Yup, 1 of the reasons if not the biggest reason why my bowls don't last as long as many here is that I. too, like to keep mine smoky. Don't like anemic trails of smoke heading into my mouth.

How do you keep it smoky?? I’ve tried puffing faster/drawing harder and end up with tongue bite lol!

 

[The Clay King]

Have always been amazed at the folks who can claim hour-long smokes. I'm not a real fast smoker. I typically smoke ribbon cut. Most of my smaller pipes will last no more than 10 minutes and often less. That's why I prefer large pipes. My longest lasting pipe, the huge Peterson house pipe, lasts me the longest and that's still less than 30 minutes.

@irishearl A clay bowl normally used to last me about 10mins, no more than 15 until I found out about packing and tamping. The most I've had out of my clay pipe without relighting is 37min; still amazed at how Cavendish made his clay pipe last over an hour!
I'm not puffing like a steam train any more and a clay bowl lasts me a lot longer than before; I'd like to see how long I can make a clay pipe of baccy last and if I can beat my record of 37 minutes without relighting. I managed 47 minutes with relighting a few times but there are competitions where the winner is the one who can keep their clay pipe of baccy burning as long as possible...
I'm not speed smoking now; that was to do with a contest organised by @Maddogsmokers; still not heard anything regarding my prize and no contact since July so may be on holiday.
The winner ? of the Egremont crab fair pipe smoking competition has to smoke a clay pipe of Clan in the fastest time; I can see why they use Clan in the clay pipe smoking competition as it burns hot and fast...

 

[The Clay King]

My clay pipe burns a bit hotter than usual in the wind, when I went to see the Sealed Knot at Bolsover Castle it was too windy ?️ to light my clay!
Another forum member said that once I got it lit I finished it in record time with the wind keeping it stoked ?!

 

[JOHN72]

I think Peterson tobacco burns faster. It is what I have been able to verify over time, and learning. Smoking with the same speed. In the end it will be the quality of the tobacco, I think. And the amount of gunpowder it contains to carbonize your beautiful pipe..............

 

[chopper]

Love my little Dr Plumb Dinky [though the tenon is so thin that I'm scared it'll break sooner or later pulling it apart] Great for a quick smoke.

What is a 'quick' smoke exactly? I dunno really. 15 minutes?

The thing is that I don't smoke a pipe like most.
Switching to a pipe was my way of quitting a 35 year 30-40 cig a day addiction once and for all.
Old habits die hard so I still inhale. [For me, a pipe is very much a placebo]

It's rare for me to smoke a bowl from start to finish.
I'm easily distracted. More often than not, I'll light up, have a few puffs before it goes out.
When out and about, a large bowl can take me several hours to finish.

Maybe I'll learn how to smoke a pipe 'properly' when I'm really old, sitting on the verandah watching the Sun go down, sipping my pipe while concentrating on flavours to see if I can detect that hint of a grasshopper fart like those with more refined palates.

Until then I'll pull like a Succubus, inhale like an uncivilised Heathen who knows no better, enjoying my baccy the only way I know how.
Meh. Since a pipe has achieved my goal to get off and stay off the cigs, I'll take my uncouth habits as a win nonetheless.

 

[chopper]

My clay pipe burns a bit hotter than usual in the wind, when I went to see the Sealed Knot at Bolsover Castle it was too windy ?️ to light my clay!
Another forum member said that once I got it lit I finished it in record time with the wind keeping it stoked ?!

Hey Dan, I've been meaning to ask; I've got a few clay pipes from the basic clays that were formed in 100+yo moulds to a rather nice half bent with an ebonite stem.

My problem with clays is this; I'm in the habit of holding my briars and cobs by the bowl.
When smoking my clay pipes, sooner or later I absent mindedly hold the clay by the bowl [or by the stem where it's hot] and burn myself.

Is it a matter of just paying attention [not to burn oneself] or have you found a material that you wrap the stems and/or bowls to protect your fingers?
I've seen a few clays that have hemp twine wrapped around the stem that I've been meaning to try but twine might be a bit tricky to wrap a bowl without it looking like an effort from a 4th grade arts and craft day.

 

[The Clay King]

Hey Dan, I've been meaning to ask; I've got a few clay pipes from the basic clays that were formed in 100+yo moulds to a rather nice half bent with an ebonite stem.

My problem with clays is this; I'm in the habit of holding my briars and cobs by the bowl.
When smoking my clay pipes, sooner or later I absent mindedly hold the clay by the bowl [or by the stem where it's hot] and burn myself.

Is it a matter of just paying attention [not to burn oneself] or have you found a material that you wrap the stems and/or bowls to protect your fingers?
I've seen a few clays that have hemp twine wrapped around the stem that I've been meaning to try but twine might be a bit tricky to wrap a bowl without it looking like an effort from a 4th grade arts and craft day.

@chopper I've learned not to hold my clay pipes by the bowl (except in cold weather to warm my hands!) I'm into crafty things so I'd consider wrapping twine or string around the the stem...

 

[bullet08]

How do you keep it smoky?? I’ve tried puffing faster/drawing harder and end up with tongue bite lol!

Trick is, don't let the smoke stream hit your tongue. Let it go slightly high to avoid the tongue. And, don't pull so hard. There's a sweet spot where you get good amount of smoke without torching your mouth. I don't like cool smoke. For me, it's harsh, tastes like three day old fish and plainly wrong taste. Just turn it up little warm, and I can get topping and everything else. It's a balancing act. Experiment and find your sweet spot.

 

[scout19d3]

I seem to average about 50 minutes to 1:15 in most of my pipes, with a full bowl.

 

[rdpowell]

My favorite pipe has a 7/8" chamber 1-1/2" deep and it never seems to be big enough but, that's because
I'll smoke it awhile, maybe 5-10 minutes, set it down, do a little work on a stummel or stem, etc. then come back to it and smoke it for maybe 5 minutes, set it down and this goes on all day while in the shop. So it takes me I reckon 4 hours to smoke a full bowl and I may fill it 2-3 times a day. But, what really gets me is I start with a full cup of coffee and treat it the same way and there never seems to be enough coffee to finish off the bowl or enough tobacco left in the pipe to finish off the coffee.