How to use flakes

[isteen]

Since I've never smoked any flaked tobacco, I better ask before I run out and try some.

How do you pack the flakes - just throw the whole thing into the bowl, or carefully seperate the flake before packing the bowl?

 

[chuckw]

I take a flake and put it between my palms and rub it out using a circular motion so it resembles cigarette tobacco. I then roll some between my fingers and stuff it in the bowl, leaving an air pocket at the bottom.

Another method is to fold it and stuff it into the bowl,again leaving an air pocket, then add some rubbed out tobacco to the top to facillitate lighting.

With both methods, the air pocket enhances the flavor.

Be aware that most flakes are high nicotine tobaccos and can make you woozy and a little nauseated if you aren't used to them.

Most flakes are too moist when you first open a tin and should be allowed to dry somewhat before you try them. Don't artifically dry them, ie: microwave or oven dry them. That kills the flavor.

They are best smoked in tall, narrow bowls but work well in regular bowls too.

Two of my favorites are Peterson's University Flake and Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake.
Luck to ya.

 

[admin]

You can also watch this super awesome video series Bob made demonstrating 4 different ways to do it.
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/pipe-smoking/flake-pipe-tobacco-preparation/

 

[isteen]

Thanks all, I'll go shopping for some flakes sometime this week ;-)

 

[sapo59]

I like to experiment when I get a new flake. I will smoke some rubbed out, fold and stuff, and do a course break up and pack to determine what method works best for each particular flake. More often than not I end up using the fold and stuff method.

 

[cortezattic]

I usually rub out a flake for easier packing and lighting; but Mac Barens suggests that you smoke the flake folded. So I asked myself,

"Self, do you wanna be proper, or happy?"

 

[docgarr]

You can also use a sweetleaf grinder, made for marijuana. Turns out it does a wonderful job breaking up the tobacco. It has two wooden discs, one fitting in the other. Both have nails, which break up the flakes. It's sometimes bothersome to remove the flake from between the nails.

 

[admin]

docgarr - You can also use a sweetleaf grinder, made for marijuana.

Ha ha! I use one of those for my flake tobacco too! Some weed smokin' hippie gave it to me.

 

[sapo59]

Yeah, yeah... I imagine they would work well.

 

[docgarr]

You can buy them on eBay. The larger size is better than the small.

 

[sapo59]

I think I may have one in a box in a closet somewhere.

 

[ghost45]

Use a pipe with a deep narrow bowl.

If you use a pipe with a big bowl you may end up smoking for 3 hours and you might just keel over.

 

[jcosmoasp]

I prefer the fold and stuff, with a smaller layer of a ready-rubbed drier tobacco on top. Lights easy and burns to grey ash. Usually one pipe cleaner toward the bottom of the bowl, and does not flame out with judicious tamping. I tamp and flip the loose ash out of the bowl, and resume my reverie...

 

[isteen]

Okay, one thing I have had to accept was that Mac Baren Honey & Chocolate isn't available in Denmark, but now I just found out is, that Vanilla Flake isn't available in Denmark either!

 

[dunendain]

Some flake tobacco may need drying for about 30 minutes before smoking. If you're go to buy Mac Barens, remember to smoke very slow. Unless you like tongue bacon.

 

[isteen]

I like my tongue just the way it is...

Mac Baren doesn't carry the Vanilla Flake i Denmark, so I might just jump on the Navy Flake instead.

I actually got an email from Mac Baren...I wrote them weeks ago.
The Honey & Chocolate is only available in 2-3 markets worldwide. Why, they didn't say.

 

[dunendain]

Mac Baren Navy Flake is a great flake to start with.

 

[docgarr]

I concur with dunendain. Navy Flake is a good place to start. I would also recommend Orlick Golden Slices at a good starter flake.

 

[ghost45]

Try Samuel Gawith blends.
Most of his blends are Flakes and they are a little bit cheaper than Mac Baren

 

[docgarr]

Bob's Chocolate Flake is a fascinating flake full of flavor (didn't mean to be this alliterative). Here's a description of it:

The main characteristics of this flake come from the 8% Latakia included in the blend and the smooth chocolate aroma. Brazilian, Zimbabwe and Malawi Virginia leaf make up 82% of the blend providing a mild/medium smoke cooled with the addition of 8% Malawi sun cured and 2% Malawi Burley. The Latakia cools but also adds strength and aroma. The cocoa casings and chocolate top flavors are rounded off with vanilla and other flavors providing sweet notes in this very unique and popular blend

.