Lightning a Pipe While It's Upside Down

[Will Jackson]

I know how you can smoke a well-packed pipe with the bowl pointing down, to aid in shielding the embers from rain. But would it be possible to actually light a freshly packed bowl by holding it upside down over the tip of a match and puffing as usual? My crazy idea basically lies in the fact that using a zippo without the pipe insert is a bit akward in trying to have the flame travel down to the tobacco and I once had this bit of a brainwave. Would it be possible, considering that when lighting up the tobacco expands, hence the need for the light tamping between charring and true light ? Or would the tobacco fall down miserily out of the bowl?

Thanks everyone for such a friendly and helpful forum!

 

[STP]

I’d say to keep practicing upright w/the Zippo and matches. Draw the flame down into the bowl. While I’ve never done it, I suspect that trying to light upside down will have the surface ash fall out, particularly when the tobacco expands… but give it a try. A lot of pipe smoking is trial and error ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Just put your non-lighter holding hand over the bowl and lighter as you light it. Lighting a pipe upside down, no matter what type of lighter you use, will inevitably result in damage to your pipe.

I, being one not to fret over looking silly, still wouldn't really smoke a pipe upside down in the rain. I've never had a qualm with just smoking one right-side up during rain. Unless you are also carrying something that ties up your hands. But, when the rainfall picks up, I just put my hand over the bowl. And, during normal rain, not enough water is going to hit that chamber to matter. YMMV

 

[Will Jackson]

Just put your non-lighter holding hand over the bowl and lighter as you light it. Lighting a pipe upside down, no matter what type of lighter you use, will inevitably result in damage to your pipe.

I, being one not to fret over looking silly, still wouldn't really smoke a pipe upside down in the rain. I've never had a qualm with just smoking one right-side up during rain. Unless you are also carrying something that ties up your hands. But, when the rainfall picks up, I just put my hand over the bowl. And, during normal rain, not enough water is going to hit that chamber to matter. YMMV

Thanks! Mine was just a curiosity, BTW, something I'd imagined it could work in a certain way, but that I'd thought for fun and giggles, basically

 

[Will Jackson]

I’d say to keep practicing upright w/the Zippo and matches. Draw the flame down into the bowl. While I’ve never done it, I suspect that trying to light upside down will have the surface ash fall out, particularly when the tobacco expands… but give it a try. A lot of pipe smoking is trial and error ?

Thanks! Will do

 

[timelord]

I sometimes smoke a pipe upside down in the rain; living in the tropics does mean rain can be intense at times. But I've never tried to light it like that and I too suspect that it might lead to some loss of tobacco; I can usually find a convenient shop window/awning or something similar to shelter in whilst lighting.

 

[DAR]

Hmmm......? For some strange reason it makes me wonder if I could smoke a pipe while sky diving.?

 

[Will Jackson]

Hmmm......? For some strange reason it makes me wonder if I could smoke a pipe while sky diving.?

Add that to a bucket list of things to be done in the nearby future. But, I fear it may actually burn a bit hot with all that wind

 

[Chasing Embers]

Lighting a pipe upside down, no matter what type of lighter you use, will inevitably result in damage to your pipe.

This


The heat rising from the flame would destroy the pipe's rim.

 

[The Clay King]

Add that to a bucket list of things to be done in the nearby future. But, I fear it may actually burn a bit hot with all that wind

@Will Jackson I've found my clay pipe burns hotter than usual in the wind - once I manage to get it lit...

 

[anotherbob]

I think you're packing a bit too tight. It should not be something you can't do pulling the down into the pipe. I had that issue and just a touch lighter packing fixed it. Also you don't need to pull the flame into contact with the tobacco, hovering slightly above is best.

 

[bassbug]

Silly question.....there are actually people that will stand in the rain without an umbrella?

If you're under an umbrella, no need to turn your pipe upside down. If you're not under an umbrella in rain heavy enough to put out your pipe, you might have more pressing issues to be dealt with...just saying.

 

[Pipeoff]

We have enough forest fires already to try this in the wind. As far as indoors, all my clothing have enough burn holes already.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Just put your non-lighter holding hand over the bowl and lighter as you light it. Lighting a pipe upside down, no matter what type of lighter you use, will inevitably result in damage to your pipe.

I, being one not to fret over looking silly, still wouldn't really smoke a pipe upside down in the rain. I've never had a qualm with just smoking one right-side up during rain. Unless you are also carrying something that ties up your hands. But, when the rainfall picks up, I just put my hand over the bowl. And, during normal rain, not enough water is going to hit that chamber to matter. YMMV

I can attest you don’t fret over looking silly…???

 

[kcghost]

I think using lightning from any direction would destroy the pipe and you.

 

[bullet08]

Practice, practice, practice. Only way to get to smoking nirvana.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Silly question.....there are actually people that will stand in the rain without an umbrella?

If you're under an umbrella, no need to turn your pipe upside down. If you're not under an umbrella in rain heavy enough to put out your pipe, you might have more pressing issues to be dealt with...just saying.

Not standing! But for a short trip on foot upside down works well. Especially if you don't have a brolly with you.

 

[STP]

Practice, practice, practice. Only way to get to smoking nirvana.

“… smoking Nirvana.” ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

“… smoking Nirvana.” ?

View attachment 95658

A much more gory picture comes to mind for me when I hear "smoking Nirvana." I know, I know... too soon.

 

[bullet08]

While idling, this popped into my head. Thinly sliced det cord on top of the tobacco! Guarantee ignition!