Filter or No Filter

[Old_Newby]

I now have my cob pipe (MM) and my starting tobacco. I had my first smoke last night (Sir Walter Aromatic). Smelled great, but I really focused more on the doing than the tasting but I enjoyed it. Just need to get it lit well and have some zen time. I will figure it out.

For fun I started looking at the better pipes. Lots of choices. But I do have one question. I noticed some pipes don’t have filters (eg Kaywoodie) while others do (Barraccini 9mm). So should I always get a filterable pipe? If I do can I smoke it without filters? Or can I still add filters to pipes that are listed as non filter pipes?

 

[JOHN72]

I personally hate filters. They spoil my smoke.

 

[spicy_boiii]

I personally hate filters. They spoil my smoke.

Same. I can taste them even on a cold draw. Plus they mess with the draw in all kinds of ways. More of a pain to clean, can't use a pipe cleaner during the smoke as easy...

Yeah not for me.

 

[karam]

Cake and filter are one and the same, spoilers of pipe smoking and taste of tobacco.

 

[Bowlsmoker67]

I hate filters . If a pipe comes with one I remove it and smoke it wide open

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I've never had a pipe with a filter, so can't comment really.
But can't imagine that I would like it.

 

[olkofri]

Or can I still add filters to pipes that are listed as non filter pipes?

No, you can't. But you can smoke a filtered pipe with an adaptor or wide open.

Savinelli's come with an adaptor, so that might be a smart choice: smoke it three ways and then stick with what you like more.

We really can't make this decision for you. It's your tongue that must be the guide.

Speaking for myself, I love filters. I'm a fast puffer and I find that the 9 mm Meerschaum filters allow me to puff furiously without burning my tongue. The one time I smoked a 9 mm filtered pipe without filter or adapter... very painful experience.

 

[scloyd]

A pipe that takes a filter can be smoked with or without a filter. A pipe that does not take a filter cannot be smoked with a filter. When I purchase a new pipe, whether it takes a filter or not is my least concern. If I really like a pipe and it takes a filter, so be it, I'm buying it anyways. I'll smoke a filtered pipe on occasion. I have smoked the same pipes with and without filters and I really don't notice any difference in the smoke.

Some people like filters, others don't. You have to decide for yourself. Good luck on your quest for your next new pipe.

 

[kurtbob]

Firmly in the no filter camp here.

 

[warren]

Your choice. Pipes with filters have been very popular over the years. And with many smokers very unpopular. It's a matter of personal preference.

 

[Spa32]

I only choose non-filter pipes these days. I have plenty of filtered pipes but either leave the filter out or use the adaptor.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

For me, if a pipe comes with filters or I get some as a “gift” I will use them. But when they are gone, I go without. They do not feel particularly helpful to me, but if they are there, I use them till they are gone. ?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I generally don't like filters, but, I do come across pipes I really like that happen to have them. It's easy enough to pop an adapter in the pipe and go sans filter (or not even put an adapter in and no filter). If you get one with a filter, you have options.

 

[bullet08]

It's like asking condom or no condom. I hate the smell of burning rubber.

 

[Grangerous]

How much moisture you and your blends of choice create may be the deciding factor.

The purpose of a filter is to absorb condensation and moisture which some wetter blends of tobacco are more apt to create. Your smoking technique also determines how much moisture as does cold weather. Moisture equates to steam, loss of flavor and possibly tongue bite.

If you smoke only natural blends and control your cadence you may find filters unnecessary.

I don’t use filters. I prefer the open draw. I will insert and withdraw a pipe cleaner while smoking. Most times it’ll come out dry until midway or later in the smoke when it may withdraw slightly damp. — This accomplishes what a filter would — removing any moisture but without obstructing the draw and without leaving a wet, nasty filter within the pipe that you’ll need to remove. — I don’t often remove the stem on my pipes except to deep clean. With filters you’ll have to do so each smoke which is additional wear and tear on tenon.

One positive to a filter. They prevent tiny bits of tobacco from entering your mouth.

Good luck to you. Welcome to the forum.

 

[tklee]

Actually I have the same question also. It looks like most pipe smokers don't like to have filter . I tried before without filter, but like Grangerous said, tiny bits of tobacco entering my mouth, so after that i decided to use filter. And I found it my filter was always wet after smoking. Maybe because of the way i draw or maybe because of the weather here. U know, typical moisture tropical weather. I am still finding out a way to go without filter, coz it's really troublesome, after 2 or 3 rounds, have to clean the stem and take out the filter. But, if without filter, how to prevent tiny bits of tobacco from entering the mouth? Does putting silver screen at the bottom of the bowl help? ?

 

[MattRVA]

Actually I have the same question also. It looks like most pipe smokers don't like to have filter . I tried before without filter, but like Grangerous said, tiny bits of tobacco entering my mouth, so after that i decided to use filter. And I found it my filter was always wet after smoking. Maybe because of the way i draw or maybe because of the weather here. U know, typical moisture tropical weather. I am still finding out a way to go without filter, coz it's really troublesome, after 2 or 3 rounds, have to clean the stem and take out the filter. But, if without filter, how to prevent tiny bits of tobacco from entering the mouth? Does putting silver screen at the bottom of the bowl help? ?

Insert a pipe cleaner into the pipe until it’s poking out at the bottom of the chamber, pack normally then remove the pipe cleaner. Should prevent any tobacco from entering the mouth while lightning and smoking.

 

[tklee]

Insert a pipe cleaner into the pipe until it’s poking out at the bottom of the chamber, pack normally then remove the pipe cleaner. Should prevent any tobacco from entering the mouth while lightning and smoking.

Will try this method. Thank you MattRVA

 

[Searock Fan]

I now have my cob pipe (MM) and my starting tobacco. I had my first smoke last night (Sir Walter Aromatic). Smelled great, but I really focused more on the doing than the tasting but I enjoyed it. Just need to get it lit well and have some zen time. I will figure it out.

For fun I started looking at the better pipes. Lots of choices. But I do have one question. I noticed some pipes don’t have filters (eg Kaywoodie) while others do (Barraccini 9mm). So should I always get a filterable pipe? If I do can I smoke it without filters? Or can I still add filters to pipes that are listed as non filter pipes?

Welcome! You poor guy. You're going to get a thousand different opinions and suggestions. Only real way to tell what you will like is to experiment for yourself. Remember, you can smoke a pipe that came with a filter without using one. But you can't smoke a pipe that isn't designed for a filter with one. Good luck.

 

[hawky454]

I personally like having the option. I have several pipes that take a filter. I haven't smoked a pipe with a filter in it for about a decade but I'm going to try it out on this aged tin of Best Brown Flake I just opened. For some strange reason this one gives me terrible chemical burn, which is odd because I've never had that problem with this blend before. I know a lot of folks use filters to help with chem burn/tongue bite, so I'm going to give it a try. I just don't have the fortitude I used to, forcing my way through the burn until my mouth acclimates to it. I also like filtered pipes because you get a nice wide open draw when you smoke the pipe without the filter/adapter. For a while there, I was only buying pipes that were built to accept a filter for this very reason.