Maybe I'm not packing the pipe tight enough? Lots of smoke with small draw...

[Zamora]

I wouldn't worry about relighting at all. I usually have to relight so many times I lose track and I've never noticed any different in flavor. I've also found packing to be less of a big deal than I initially thought, in my experience tamping fixes too loose a pack and the spoon and pick of a pipe tool fix too tight.

 

[ClassicKehler]

Since we have decided to over analyze something and I'm good at that, why don't I join in. When i pack tighter I dont have to draw nearly as hard or as much to keep the pipe going. If I pack light the way everyone says, I have to relight every 30 seconds. Don't worry about relights they say... tell that to my sizzling tongue. Id rather smoke tobacco than butane. Less relights equals less heat. Tighter draw (to an extent, not over done) means the same amount of air must flow through the tobacco in less time as when exerting the same draw on a lighter pack. Your mileage may vary. Maybe somebody cares. But probably not.

 

[ClassicKehler]

In addition, when "they" say slow down, it doesnt mean to take a puff every 5 minutes instead of every 30 seconds. It means, instead of puffing every 30 seconds, keep a gentle, light sipping candence going almost constantly, with little breaks if the pipe starts to heat up. More useless info.

 

[jtkuga]

Appreciate the advice about relaxing and enjoying it. MY first probably 3-4 bowls I really enjoyed because I wasn't thinking or overanalyzing (weather outside was great at that time too which I'm sure helped the overall experience). Then I started to try and tastes nuances and got a bit frustrated. I've been getting back to just enjoying the experience like I did when I started.