Issue Smoking Flakes

[sparker69]

I LOVE flake! But, yes there are a few challenges. I fold and stuff or "twist" it into the bowl. Takes a bit to get it lit, but once it's going, it burns nice and slow. But I don't tamp that much - tends to put it out even with a light gravity tamp. I don't usually dry it out unless it's incredibly wet.

 

[sablebrush52]

The major benefit of a flake, in terms of melding flavors, is done when you smoke it. The guys on my weekly Zoom call, who are veteran smokers, recommend breaking the flake down into fine sized bits, drying, then smoking. You can use a coffee grinder, food chopper, your fingers, whatever, to break them down, but get them down to very fine sized bits.
I’ve tried a variety of methods, from stuff and fold to almost pulverizing them and I get the best results from breaking them down into very fine sized bits.

 

[bullet08]

Trick to smoking flake is.. I can tell you, but I'll have to kill you. So, whatever works for you. And if it still doesn't, grind it up and smoke it as bits and pieces. If that doesn't work.. Shit man, do I have to tell you how to use chopsticks?

 

[HeadMisfit]

flakes were meant to retain moisture, so hence one must give more then 10 minutes of drying time.

Now, the real impact of a flake is smoking it stuff and fold, or rubbing it out. or cutting it it into strips or cubes.

Myself, i always do the fold and stuff. It works best. Cutting into strips can be easier with some softer flakes, and strips taste the same as a whole flake that gets stuffed.

Rubbing it out changes the flavor so much its not funny. Its like orlik, I have been smoking it stuffed and folded for a year now and its been heaven. I went to try it fully rubbed in my petersen that doesnt do well with a full flake. It tasted like I was licking that orange blast hand cleaner.