How often, when, and why should one tamp?

[kammi4pipes]

I did a search so everyone knows.
As the title suggests, I am curious as to when one should tamp a pipe. I've found after the initial lighting, I don't need to tamp until bottom third of the pipe.
My smoke usually lasts half an hour, so I'm well satisfied with that.
Simply curious.

 

[jship079]

I dont know crap so take it for what its worth but I would say when you need to spread the ember and break down the ashes to keep the pipe smoking good.If its smoking good then no need to screw with it unless your like me and like chaseing the ember I am always playing with my pipe.

 

[frnky4fngrs]

I read a post somewhere on here, but it didn't exactly so when to tamp that I can remember. Something that I do recall is that never to apply pressure with the tamper, let gravity do the work. Also while tamping, pull on the pipe to make sure the ember stays lit and even

 

[kammi4pipes]

Thanks

 

[pstlpkr]

Here is my blog on slow smoking.

I discuss tamping and how it relates to producing a longer smoke.

I recommend that you start with the first post located at the bottom of the page.

Dottle Diggers

This may be what frnky3fngrs was talking about.

 

[cortezattic]

I just tamp when I find the need to nurse the smoke along a bit. It's more of a feel

type of thing: you learn how the tobacco responds, and what each situation requires.
In an earlier thread someone mentioned giving the tamper a slight twist as it contacts

the ember. I found that I was doing that myself, almost naturally. On larger diameter

pipe chambers, which I have some difficulty with, I found it helps to hold the tamper

at an angle, working it around the perimeter to slightly mound-up the ember. (Not to

take this to an extreme, however.)
It's surprising that various aspects of tamping aren't discussed more often in the

forums, given that it is, or should be, what we do most while smoking

-- besides puffing, that is.

 

[philblum]

Just tamp when you feel it's necessary. I learned that I just know when, without thinking. every tobacco is different but one learns to handle it.

 

[surfmac211]

Lawrence I remember you first posting that but for some reason never got around to reading it. That was very informative and helpful. I have been working at reducing my number of relights and slowing down and that gave me a couple things I need to try out.