How to properly relight

[scmkr]

Relighting seems to be one of my bigger problems. Not because I have to do it, I get the idea that it's part of the process. It's more that it's not effective, and it's got to be because I'm doing it wrong.
I'm using a Kiribi lighter. When it comes to relight time, I can't ever relight the tobacco evenly. Usually it tastes pretty bitter and burnt the first couple puffs after a relight, and examination shows that it only relit the tobacco in one little spot on the side or singed the top of the tobacco, but didn't actually fully relight evenly, so I have to do it again.
I try to take it easy on the relighting because that's when I'm most prone to burning my mouth. Doing it so ineffectively makes me do it more often, and then my mouth gets burnt more.
I do tamp before I relight so the surface is even, it's just that the light doesn't happen evenly, if that makes sense.
How can I do this better?

 

[bassbug]

Try dumping the ash before relighting and don't put the flame directly on the tobacco, but rather just above it.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

+1 to Bassbug. If you're trying to light through too much ash, your smoke is going to taste ashy. I'd use your pipe tool to stir the top a bit, then dump the ash, tamp it down lightly, then relight. You might have to stir a good bit off the top, but I notice when I get a thick ashy layer, I have to just stir it off the top, dump it, and if I catch it early enough, I won't even have to relight, because the ember is still down in there doing it's job.

 

[crashthegrey]

If the flame is hitting the tobacco, you are probably burning it. Try holding the flame above the tobacco and pull only the heat down to relight.

 

[jpmcwjr]

In addition to the good lighting tips, I think you'd benefit all around from drying the tobacco more before loading.

 

[olkofri]

If the flame is hitting the tobacco, you are probably burning it. Try holding the flame above the tobacco and pull only the heat down to relight.

This will become a balancing act, for as you draw the flame will descend and you'll have to minutely raise your flame source accordingly in order to keep the flame permanently ~1/2 in above the toby; pair that with the circular motion above the bowl we need to make and it becomes a real art.
I can relate: I continue to have the same problems.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It also may be that a totally even light across the whole top is unnecessary and even undesirable if too much heat it applied to do so.

 

[briarbuck]

An interesting side-note, did some research and the flame of butane and wood/paper are virtually identical (1990 deg f). I always ASSumed that butane was hotter than matches.

 

[olkofri]

It IS hotter than matches: I've measured them with a probe.

 

[thomasw]

... I think you'd benefit all around from drying the tobacco more ...

True; it is this simple notion which smooths out numerous rough edges in pipe smoking. Dry ALMOST crispy tobacco lights well, packs more easily, stays lit well and sips well. In fact, in most cases I find dry tobacco tastes more flavourful than more moist tobacco. And not too mention moist tobacco and the dreaded bite... Listen to the Patriarch jpm* ; go dry and just avoid the issues with moisture.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Try holding the flame above the tobacco and pull only the heat down to relight.

I've scorched rims doing that. I just tamp and pull the flame down on the tobacco.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Then you did it wrong. If the flame is high enough above the rim, you avoid scorching both rim and tobacco. It's the superheated air past the tip of the flame that does the trick of not immolating the tobacco nor scorching the rim. A bit of care is required, but it's not difficult.

 

[workman]

Dry your tobacco. Often tongue burn is actually tongue boil from to much moisture. On relights, take several short puffs instead of one or two long draws. And also try tamping after relighting while you are drawing on your pipe. Tamp gently and draw slowly.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Then you did it wrong.

Only wrong for me. Tried it a few times, and the way I've used hasn't burned a rim. So if it ain't broke and all that. :wink:

 

[briarbuck]

It IS hotter than matches: I've measured them with a probe.

I stand corrected. Went back and a match is normally 700-800 deg f. Butane is 1,850.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Matches are a bit easier to direct as well.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes; a gentler flame is easier to use; less likely to torch the rim or tobacco. But even a flame thrower butane can be used safely. Not recommended!

 

[aldecaker]

My biggest problem with scorching comes from lighting outside when it is breezy. I haven't found a way around that one yet.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But even a flame thrower butane can be used safely. Not recommended!

:clap:

 

[pianopuffer]

Agreed aldecaker. I smoke outside almost all of the time and hovering the flame from above to light or even relight is futile.

Any suggestions from outdoors pipers would be most welcome.