Flake Fold & Stuff

[Akoni808]

I tend to never have any luck using the fold and stuff method with flakes. It tends to get lit fairly easy, but then mid-way through the bowl it becomes very hard to light and the remainder of the bowl becomes almost as solid as a rock. Does anyone have any tips for this method?

 

[johnbarleycorn]

Sounds like it is too wet. Or else packed too tight.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Sounds like it is too wet. Or else packed too tight.

Probably both. Flake should be dry enough that it breaks or nearly breaks when folded. Error on the side of packing too loose. Until you get the feel, you can correct with light tamping.

 

[Akoni808]

Sounds like it is too wet. Or else packed too tight.

Probably both. Flake should be dry enough that it breaks or nearly breaks when folded. Error on the side of packing too loose. Until you get the feel, you can correct with light tamping.

I made sure to dry the flake out, but I think you're both right on packing it too tight. I don't like the feeling of a draw that's too loose, but I'm realizing now that the tobacco expands when it's smoked. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Akoni808]

I guess a follow up question... Does anyone have great success with this method or prefer it?

 

[johnbarleycorn]

I like fold and stuff. But a bad fold and stuff is a horrible thing.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I guess a follow up question... Does anyone have great success with this method or prefer it?

It's pretty much all I use. I smoke Flake 90% of the time. Some Flakes stick together to where you can't peel a single Flake of intact. For those I just grab some and stuff. It's not rocket science, after awhile, you get the feel for it.

 

[Akoni808]

I like fold and stuff. But a bad fold and stuff is a horrible thing.

It truly is a horrible thing. I'll need to give it some more practice.

 

[Akoni808]

It's pretty much all I use. I smoke Flake 90% of the time. Some Flakes stick together to where you can't peel a single Flake of intact. For those I just grab some and stuff. It's not rocket science, after awhile, you get the feel for it.

I feel encouraged to keep trying the method till I get it down. The convenience of folding and stuffing sounds nice if I could get it down.

 

[J-Evverrett]

There’s a lot of good videos that can give you some pointers. I used this method frequently with great success. My 2 cents is: pack a bit bit loose so the flame is drawn through the flake on the charring light. It will expand in the process and fill the bowl. A little bit too much and it just clogs the bowl halfway.

 

[Akoni808]

There’s a lot of good videos that can give you some pointers. I used this method frequently with great success. My 2 cents is: pack a bit bit loose so the flame is drawn through the flake on the charring light. It will expand in the process and fill the bowl. A little bit too much and it just clogs the bowl halfway.

Thanks for the advice. I think that's my issue. I overestimate the amount of tobacco, and it expands and clogs the bowl.

 

[ashdigger]

Thanks for the advice. I think that's my issue. I overestimate the amount of tobacco, and it expands and clogs the bowl.

That’s just a learning curve to work with. It’ll come to you.

 

[Waning Embers]

When it tightens up, smack the open end of the chamber against your palm to loosen the pack, then tap the heel against your palm to settle things and relight.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I feel encouraged to keep trying the method till I get it down. The convenience of folding and stuffing sounds nice if I could get it down.

The first key is moisture level. The street the tobacco, the looser you need to pack it as it will expand more when it gets hot. If you pack to tight, use the skinny rod on your pipe tool, push it to the bottom of the bowl and kind of pull up to loosen the tobacco. Empty the bowl if you have to and start over. It won't take you that long to get good at it. Then you can enjoy the wonderful world of Flake tobacco. I now can pack a bowl with Flake faster than I can a bowl of ribbon cut.

 

[Akoni808]

The first key is moisture level. The street the tobacco, the looser you need to pack it as it will expand more when it gets hot. If you pack to tight, use the skinny rod on your pipe tool, push it to the bottom of the bowl and kind of pull up to loosen the tobacco. Empty the bowl if you have to and start over. It won't take you that long to get good at it. Then you can enjoy the wonderful world of Flake tobacco. I now can pack a bowl with Flake faster than I can a bowl of ribbon cut.

I’m looking forward to not having to rub out all the flakes I enjoy so much. Thank you for all the advice. ??

 

[craig61a]

When it tightens up, smack the open end of the chamber against your palm to loosen the pack, then tap the heel against your palm to settle things and relight.

Holding it by the bowl… don’t hold the bit of the stem with your thumb and index finger and wail on it.

 

[J-Evverrett]

Thanks for the advice. I think that's my issue. I overestimate the amount of tobacco, and it expands and clogs the bowl.

My pleasure. Flakes are great this way once you figure them out. Keep trying.

 

[reloader]

I had that problem when I first tried flakes. I've gone to a wider bowl and it seemed to help. I also make sure I have the open portion of the fold toward the airway. I smoke mostly ribbon cut so haven't quite perfected flakes just yet.

 

[kschatey]

I feel encouraged to keep trying the method till I get it down. The convenience of folding and stuffing sounds nice if I could get it down.

The combo that worked best for me to learn the method is cob and a flake of PS Luxury Twist Flake. Dry and loose. The chamber seems to be just right for the flake.

 

[dunnyboy]

Because the flake or rolled-up coin will expand when it's heated, it should be able to slide in and out of the chamber when you first load the bowl. I don't find the tobacco needs to be bone dry to stay lit.