Excess moisture, dottle and gurgling pipes are common problems for pipe smokers, especially those who are new to the game.
Water vapour is a by-product of combustion and the resulting condensate can mar or ruin an otherwise smoke
Common advice is to dry your tobacco really well.
And sipping rather than puffing madly.
I live in Sydney which has generally high humidity year round except in our harsh hot summers
While I may deliberate on which pipes I’d like to smoke on the weekends, I rarely choose my blends until just before my smoking sessions
So unless it is a sun shiny day, the tobacco often does not get to dry sufficiently.
Tobacco is taxed at a punitive rate in Oz (typically AUD$125 - 145 for 50gms/2oz)
Any dottle adds up to a significant waste over time
One solution is an absorbent at the bottom of the chamber eg meerschaum chips, Nording Keystones or Sharrow Philtpads
More experienced smokers will not find a need for these
However if ambient humidity is a problem where you live or you are a moist smoker, then these are alternatives to using filters
They are cheap - certainly cheaper than throwing out a chunk of dottle
And can be reused 2-4 times before you throw them out.
I had 2 bowls this afternoon.
The sun was out, but as I was in a hurry I only had less than 5mins to dry the tobacco before loading the bowls
I used 5 small pieces of meerschaum chips
Each bowl lit with one match.
No relights were necessary
And smoked down completely
Perhaps I am getting better at smoking.
But I have to give most of the credit to the Meer chips or the Nording Keystones
Something to consider IF XS moisture/dottle is a problem for you
Water vapour is a by-product of combustion and the resulting condensate can mar or ruin an otherwise smoke
Common advice is to dry your tobacco really well.
And sipping rather than puffing madly.
I live in Sydney which has generally high humidity year round except in our harsh hot summers
While I may deliberate on which pipes I’d like to smoke on the weekends, I rarely choose my blends until just before my smoking sessions
So unless it is a sun shiny day, the tobacco often does not get to dry sufficiently.
Tobacco is taxed at a punitive rate in Oz (typically AUD$125 - 145 for 50gms/2oz)
Any dottle adds up to a significant waste over time
One solution is an absorbent at the bottom of the chamber eg meerschaum chips, Nording Keystones or Sharrow Philtpads
More experienced smokers will not find a need for these
However if ambient humidity is a problem where you live or you are a moist smoker, then these are alternatives to using filters
They are cheap - certainly cheaper than throwing out a chunk of dottle
And can be reused 2-4 times before you throw them out.
I had 2 bowls this afternoon.
The sun was out, but as I was in a hurry I only had less than 5mins to dry the tobacco before loading the bowls
I used 5 small pieces of meerschaum chips
Each bowl lit with one match.
No relights were necessary
And smoked down completely
Perhaps I am getting better at smoking.
But I have to give most of the credit to the Meer chips or the Nording Keystones
Something to consider IF XS moisture/dottle is a problem for you
