First Pipe Smoke in 40 Years

[Canuck1]

Tried my new Peterson Church Warden with MB Vanilla Cream. Burned well probably smoked it too hard and it is a new pipe. A bit of gurgle and it tasted like burning newsprint and ash. Much the same experience as my first try 40 years ago!!!

How many bowls before the pipe is broken in? Couldn't smell much either. Tin note is there but of what I cannot tell. Your guidance would be appreciated.


This time I intend to preserver!!

 

[mso489]

I think you are puffing too hard, as you suggest, and generating a lot of moisture and burning the tobacco too fast. So first, slow down a lot. Don't pack the bowl too tight. Sip instead of puff. Maybe a little gentle tamping after the first light goes out. Some Petersons have some stain in the bowl, and that could be sanded out, but I think I'd just work on technique for now. After a half dozen bowls, things should settle out if you slow down. Keep us posted. I think others will have several other suggestions.

With a churchwarden, I pretty much stay seated. If you try to move around much, you can hit furniture and woodwork with that long pipe. But in an armchair, a churchwarden is ideal.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

As someone told me, sip and don't worry about having to re-light. Two fingers over the top of the bowl is a good tip I learned.

 

[anotherbob]

yeah just slow down. And maybe try another blend. Macbarren can be bitey and temperamental. It's one brand I'd recommend beginners avoid for a little bit. They're one of the few that sometimes lightly bites me so....

 

[timpiper]

Try starting with something less bitey,
Like Early Morning pipe, My Mixture 965, Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic, Lanes 1Q or RLP-6
and as suggested sipping cools the smoke and brings out the flavor. Its not a competition to see who makes the most smoke. -TimPiper

 

[timpiper]

This is a good thread to read -

That Blend That Changed Everything
That Blend That Changed Everything :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/that-blend-that-changed-everything.82965/page-3#post-36339516

 

[Hfinn]

It seems you should try a cheaper pipe before you burn the Peterson )

 

[Chasing Embers]

It seems you should try a cheaper pipe before you burn the Peterson )

Unless he's using a torch lighter, briar's quite a bit more difficult to burn than that.

 

[judcole]

I smoke a lot of Mac Baren, but I don't think I would recommend them to a new smoker for breaking in a new pipe.
I would recommend getting a very neutral tobacco - Carter Hall, Lane RR, a simple burley along those lines.
Relax. Smoke slowly. You are trying to learn how to smoke a pipe while breaking one in. Don't smoke anything else in that pipe except that one neutral blend until you have gone through the whole pouch - 1.5 to 1.75 ounces. By then the pipe will be broken in, and you should have a good start on your technique.
Good luck.

 

[Hfinn]

At the very beginning of my tobacco journey, I burned 2 briar pipes. They were good pipes.

 

[kurtbob]

Like everyone said, slow way down! As for break in, I’ve had a Peterson that took a good 60 bowls before it quit adding a “off” flavor to the tobacco. On the other hand, I have a Don Carlos that was perfect from the first bowl. So just stick with it and also I agree you should change your choice of tobacco until you figure it out?

 

[renfield]

Dry your tobacco, if you aren’t already. Most blends benefit from a bit of drying, how much depends on what works for you.