My Tongue Finally Turned into Shoe Leather.

[bullet08]

I got so used to drying tobacco, I really don't mind waiting for it. But being busy last couple of weeks, I've been just smoking OTC or rub out a flake and just load up a pipe. Drying went out the window. Noticed that I'm not getting tongue bite. Flavor is stronger, but it does take frequent relight and wet mess of dottles at the end. Everything is compromise.

 

[Chasing Embers]

frequent relight and wet mess of dottles at the end.

Pack lighter and you'll avoid both.

 

[warren]

"Tamping" and "packing" are terms which sometimes lead new smokers to press too hard and force more tobacco into the bowl than is proper. I pack a wee bit tighter with the first "stuff" than embers describes but, all levels are "springy" not tight. Go with "too loose" and tighten up with each new bowl until you locate the sweet spot for your pack,

Preparing a bowl to smoke is one of those processes best learned through and error unless you have a mentor handy who guide you through the process. It's not hard to to just, tough to get the right pressure. "Trial and error" is the only way.

 

[telescopes]

Frank Method. Works, reliable, and when in doubt….

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

What Warren says is entirely logical and works with any tobacco, and (within reason) any moisture level.
I'm amazed that so many people have not cottoned on on to this basic principle and seem determined to pursue pipe smoking as some kind of scientific endeavour.
As for me I'm just going to smoke my pipe, simple as that.

When in doubt, just use some common sense.
Thank you Warren for injecting some rationality into the forum.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I got so used to drying tobacco, I really don't mind waiting for it. But being busy last couple of weeks, I've been just smoking OTC or rub out a flake and just load up a pipe. Drying went out the window. Noticed that I'm not getting tongue bite. Flavor is stronger, but it does take frequent relight and wet mess of dottles at the end. Everything is compromise.

I've had your experience and not sure if I want my tongue to change. In fact, I'm sure of it. I smoked one bowl yesterday and I could tell the difference, but 24 hours drying time is a lot.

Funny story, I had put some tobacco in a dish and it was sitting on a table. Sunday afternoon I was smelling someting that I thought was plastic getting too hot. I walked around to see if I could find out what it was, but couldn't. I had forgotten about the tobacco until the next morning. That stuff can be pungent....LOL!!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Mine is more like a cat's tongue, and my wife doesn't complain one tiny bit.

 

[fireground_piper]

Yes for way too long, I was packing and tamping way too tightly because the methods and names seem to indicate that. Additionally references like “drinking through a straw” implies a fairly tight pack especially if you have an open drilling.

After suggestions from this forum, I pretty much adjusted to filling the bowl, knocking the heel against my palm to let a little force settle things, then top it off and go. I don’t really put any more pressure into my packing after that and the difference was significant. Especially with flakes I don’t always bother to dry out like I should.

 

[Grangerous]

With the 100 percent humidity, NJ is a statewide humidor. So I placed some Granger in a paper towel and gave it 30 seconds in the microwave. The paper towel became damp and the pungency was eye watering. But the lingering smell was like baked brownies. I gave it another 15 seconds then set it out until evening. I smoked two bowls.

My observation? I expected fewer relights but it wasn’t that different in behavior from tub moisture. The flavor? Perhaps a slight change but nothing so monumental as @ashdigger suggests - he’s a fellow Granger appreciator -whom insists Granger is best when dried.

All in all, not bad when dried a bit. But not something I find necessary.

 

[jpmcwjr]

"Tamping" and "packing" are terms which sometimes lead new smokers to press too hard and force more tobacco into the bowl than is proper. I pack a wee bit tighter with the first "stuff" than embers describes but, all levels are "springy" not tight. Go with "too loose" and tighten up with each new bowl until you locate the sweet spot for your pack,

Yup! I've been trying to substitute "loading" for "packing" when I write for just that reason over the last year or so.

 

[anotherbob]

What Warren says is entirely logical and works with any tobacco, and (within reason) any moisture level.
I'm amazed that so many people have not cottoned on on to this basic principle and seem determined to pursue pipe smoking as some kind of scientific endeavour.
As for me I'm just going to smoke my pipe, simple as that.

When in doubt, just use some common sense.
Thank you Warren for injecting some rationality into the forum.

That is what Warren is here for. When he gets a little wacky (which happens on rare occasions) it gives one the feeling of being in a dream.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I must look into this further, I'm confident my Amphoras, St Brunos, and Ernmore would taste better if smoked as they come right out from the pouch but at the same time I'm sure my tongue will suffer the consequences, in this regard, perhaps lighter packing may change things, we'll see,,I have learnd some people even manage smoking G&H without drying em first

 

[cosmicfolklore]

We shouldn't allow new smokers to have tampers till they've proven that they can use them responsibly.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Well, I’m progressing. I need to leave my tobacco out overnight to dry, not 45 minutes.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Well, I’m progressing. I need to leave my tobacco out overnight to dry, not 45 minutes.

I also find that here in Alabama, sometimes in the heat and high humidity, that the tobacco can get wetter as it sets out. So, I use one of those cheapo coffee mug warmers to drive the water off of it.
I will dry out an entire tin on one of these for a few days, and then all of the tobacco is perfect for worry free smoking throughout the day.

 

[bayareabriar]

Y

Mine is more like a cat's tongue, and my wife doesn't complain one tiny bit.

You dirty dog. Beat me too it. Lol.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Y

You dirty dog. Beat me too it. Lol.

That's what she said.

 

[Grangerous]

I also find that here in Alabama, sometimes in the heat and high humidity, that the tobacco can get wetter as it sets out. So, I use one of those cheapo coffee mug warmers to drive the water off of it.
I will dry out an entire tin on one of these for a few days, and then all of the tobacco is perfect for worry free smoking throughout the day.
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Just to follow up…. the tobacco I microwaved completely dry? I set it in a garage cabinet wrapped in paper towel — it’s tub moist again!

The entire State of New Jersey is a Humidor. If anyone has some dried out tobacco they don’t want, it can visit me for a spell.