Is it even possible to not get any tongue bite at all?

[jorgesoler]

Robin: I think you are right on the money.

 

[dottiewarden]

For the first month and a half of me starting to smoke a pipe, I almost always got bitten, then after that as I learned to pack my pipe better, stop puffing like a steam train and enjoy my pipe as I would a really nice glass of port, the tongue bite went away and I have only had a nibble here and there since.

Practice makes perfect!

It took me a while to learn how to slow down to the point that I was not getting burned hardly at all (and I'll still occasionally puff too fast), but it's now the exception for me rather than the rule.

Take your time, and take the advice posted in this thread.
What you are experiencing is typical, but with a little persistence and experimentation, you'll get the hang of it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I find it curious when someone posts a question and then many will ask questions to help them give better advice, and the original poster disappears.
My take on this is to try smoking through your nose. You won't burn your tongue, yet you may not be able to smell. But, who wants to smell anyways? ::

 

[brass]

Here's an approach to eliminating tongue bite.
True tongue bite is similar to an allergic reaction. If you have food allergies, doctors will sometimes put you on an elimination diet. It involve removing foods from the diet methodically, noting if the reaction recurs or doesn't, and adding the foods back to confirm the diagnosis, and finally, after identifying the specific food(s) causing the reaction, avoid those foods going forward.
You can approach the tongue bite problem in a similar way but the process is more simple. This method assumes you are avoiding tongue burn by drying out your tobacco, puffing just often enough to keep the bowl lit and using a well-broken pipe.
In short, the approach is to keep a notebook and jot down your observations for each new blend you try, especially if the blend bites or is comfortable. Restrict yourself to smoking just one blend per day. If you keep records, a pattern will quickly develop and you will be able to see which families of tobaccos, makers of tobaccos, cuts, etc. are causing the problem.
Here is how it might work in detail.
1. Pick a particular blend and note the family, aro, English, straight Virginia, VaPer VaBur, burley, etc. Devote at least one day, maybe two, to smoking that particular blend and no other.
2. If you get tongue bite, note the blend and family. Heal before going to the next step.
3. Try another blend, from a different blend family, and smoke only that one specific tobacco for at least a day.
3. If you don't get tongue bite, note it. Then pick another blend from another blend family, and smoke just that blend for a day or two.
4. Repeat as needed. The key is to methodically smoke just one blend a day and note which ones cause reactions and which don't.
5. Once you have identified one or more blends that bite you, then try other blends in the same family. So, if an aro bit you, go back and try another aro for a day or two. If it bites, you might decide to avoid aros - or at least buy only samples.
If you use this system, you should be able to start identifying which kinds of blends and which tobaccos are tongue friendly for you and which blends to avoid.
Pax

 

[jorgesoler]

I think it is rather how moist your tobacco is and not so more the blend. I quite agree with Robin on this. This is what he said:

1. What type of tobaccos do you smoke? The wetter the tobacco (usually goopy aromatics topped with PG and chemicals), the more likely tongue bite will occur from hot steam, due to harder puffing trying to keep the wet tobacco alight. Also, it is said peppery latakia blends can also make the tongue raw for some smokers. Moreover, some smokers report bad body chemistry with certain blends.
2. How often do you smoke? The more bowls you smoke each day, the more likely you will get tongue bite. It's best to take short breaks from smoking if your tongue is burning.
3. Do you brush your teeth and use mouthwash after each smoke? I find doing this can help alleviate 'accumulated' tongue bite.
4. Do you drink water or other fluids while smoking? This can help to cool and coat the mouth and tongue while smoking.

 

[warren]

brass may be on to something there. Too many people smoke pipes and do not experience bite for it to be a simple fix. Admittedly smoking rate will have an effect and the humidity of the blend may also effect one's tongue, more likely burning (scalding?) the tongue than simply irritating it. But simple bite? It's got to be something more. Allergy or sensitivity? I'm tending to lean in that direction.

 

[brass]

Just an added thought from Master Blender Russ Ouellette, quoted from pipe&cigars.com web page:
"Since the smoke produced is more alkaline, burley can lead to tongue bite. When cased (flavored), the added sugar can reduce the likelihood of bite. Since the flavor is more neutral, Burley accepts flavorings well.
I would deduce from his column, that burley is more conducive to bite than are Virginians than English.
More here:http://www.pipesandcigars.com/faq/article/132/ouellettes-tobacco-types-descriptions

 

[melvinsunsmokedcastello]

"Allergy or sensitivity? I'm tending to lean in that direction."
I'm with you Warren. I can smoke any type of tobacco but whatever MacB puts on their stuff bites me. I know Im not alone on this either..it has to be one of the above.